At state capitol, masks mostly missing

Many Idaho lawmakers wander the Capitol building laughing and chatting with one another before going into session every day. They have their name tags, their badges and their blazers. The only thing missing is a face mask.

Health officials say the pandemic isn’t over yet. Trends are looking better in general, but for Idaho the COVID numbers are still a looming dark cloud over citizens, hospitals and health workers. Even though the vaccine is beginning to roll out, people are still encouraged to wear masks.

Charlie Shepherd, R-Riggins, is opposed to mask wearing. In his small town of Riggins, there is no mask mandate. Around the statehouse, he is often seen with Rep. James Holtzclaw, R-Meridian, who also does not wear a mask because he said he doesn’t get sick.

Riggins is in Idaho County. It’s right on the Salmon River. It's known for white water rafting trips and as a common stop for travelers on U.S. 95. In gas stations, restaurants and around town, no one is wearing masks besides the occasional passerby walking into the Chevron to grab a snack on their way in or out of town.

Shepherd said teachers, students and people in stores don’t wear masks, so he doesn’t wear them either.

“My science tells me it’s not necessary. We’ve had no outbreaks, we’ve had no deaths. The science saying it’s helpful, to me, is inaccurate,” said Shepherd.

Even though Riggins has an extremely small population which leads to lower COVID numbers, it doesn’t mean the virus hasn’t reached the nooks and crannies of the small river town.

Last March, nearly 10 Riggins EMTs were quarantined after being exposed to someone there who was later transferred to St. Luke’s Hospital in McCall after contracting a severe case of COVID.

The percentage of patients testing positive by day in the county spiked on Jan. 10 by 27%. Idaho County — population roughly 16,500 — has had 853 COVID cases and 17 deaths.

With lawmakers at the capitol, masks are few and far between. Because they are a legislative body and make their own rules, it is not required for any of the members to wear masks — even though there is a sign on the doors of the statehouse saying masks are required when inside.

The House Republican Caucus released a statement in December saying they would take safety precautions that include social distance seating and plexiglass in chambers, as well as a mask requirement. The release said legislative members are required to wear masks outside their offices. However, there is no mask enforcement within the statehouse.

“It’s a personal choice," said Rep. Ron Nate, R-Rexburg. "It’s my private information.”

Nate said he believes he doesn’t need to wear a mask.

Most of the maskless lawmakers are the same ones who have been pressing to end COVID restrictions within Idaho. During a bill reading regarding nullifying limited gatherings, Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, who also does not wear a mask around the statehouse, was quoted saying, “The pandemic is over.”

Rep. Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, is an adamant mask wearer around the building. Rubel had live COVID cases pulled up on her screen during the debate on the House floor.

“As Heather Scott was saying the pandemic was over, I think about five people died as that sentence left her mouth,” said Rubel.

Dr. David Pate, the previous president and CEO of St. Luke’s in Boise, called on politicians last Monday over Twitter to show some compassion for those impacted by COVID by wearing a mask. Throughout the pandemic, Pate has been very vocal about mask wearing in Idaho.

“If you don’t believe masks work, I doubt I am going to convince you otherwise at this point,” he tweeted. “You are hurting people. If you do not feel sad for these people, you have a much bigger problem — you have lost your compassion, empathy and your soul.”

Alexandra Duggan is an intern with the University of Idaho McClure Center for Public Policy Research and the UI JAMM News Service.