Opposition to masks at library endures

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SANDPOINT — A group of nearly 30 people gathered at the East Bonner County Library on Saturday to peacefully protest the facility's mask requirement.

Opponents of the library district's mask requirement, however, were not allowed to enter the building unless they donned face coverings. Several Sandpoint Police officers were on hand and warned protesters that they could be subject to arrest for trespassing if they attempted to enter the building without a mask.

Protesters opted not to take their chances and attempted to debate officers over the mask requirement, in addition to the legitimacy of President Joe Biden's defeat of Donald Trump at the polls last November.

Protesters tried to make their case without masks, social distancing or raised voices, but officers politely affirmed the library district's position on the mask requirement.

A few mask-wearing library patrons, meanwhile, quietly grumbled over the spectacle at the library's entrance as they came and went.

Some mask opponents argued they should call on county commissioners to withhold funding to the library district. However, the district is an autonomous political subdivision although the county does collect its taxes on the library district's behalf, which likely sustains the misconception that the county has authority over the district.

Jalon Peters has no misconceptions about whose hands are at the levers of power in the library and is running for a position as a trustee on the district's board.

Peters contends there is ample evidence which demonstrates masks are ineffective in bridling the novel coronavirus, a position which runs contrary to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention position on the matter.

"I'm not a yes man. I've lost jobs because of my convictions," said Peters. "I'm OK with that."

Peters said masks should be a personal choice and opposes the mandate being foisted onto the public. He also recognizes that he would probably be a minority voice on the board if elected, but is not deterred by that prospect.

"We want to vote for Jalon Peters for the next library trustee," said Logan Patterson of Sagle.

Logan's wife, Heather, is home-schooling her young children and has found other ways to find books for them. However, she does not support the library's mask mandate.

"I don't want to come in if that's how it's going to be," she said.

Mark Watson carried a sign declaring that "Tyrants and despots always think they're right." He said the mandate runs afoul of federal, state and local regulations.

"They're violating them by not allowing a medical exemption," said Watson. "It's discrimination."

Angelo Lonzisero said masks deprive wearers of oxygen and cause people to take in exhalations their bodies are attempting to expel.

"They're more harmful than anything," Lonzisero said.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and followed on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.