Fully Sympathetic (Election Workers Need to be Protected from COVID)

Published in the Towns County Herald October 12, 2020

Dear Editor,

                The editor’s note appended to the letter from Dave and Denise Phillips (Government Leadership) in the July 29, 2020, edition was incorrect in asserting that the Governor’s order on COVID-19 prohibits local election officials from mandating that election workers wear masks during the August 11 runoff election.  It does not.

                Election workers are “Critical Infrastructure” workers under the order.  The provision on Critical Infrastructure states “measures may include, but shall not be limited to the following” (emphasis added).  Because the order does not represent the limits of what may be required, election officials would not be inconsistent with it by requiring workers to wear face masks.  In fact, later in the order, a provision on Critical Infrastructure specifically states that “Providing Personal Protective Equipment as available and appropriate to the function and location of the Worker” should be implemented.  It is hard to picture a function and location more conducive to the spread of a dangerous virus than a crowded polling place if workers and the public are not masked.  Just to emphasize this point, the Governor’s order specifically mandates certain workers, such as restaurant wait staff, wear face masks when they interact with the public.

                As a former member of the Election Board, I was deeply troubled by the Phillips’ letter.  I fully sympathize with them and regret the loss of two civic-minded volunteers at a time when the county is struggling to fully staff its polling places.

                The decision not to require protective measures was improperly premised on an incorrect interpretation of the Governor’s order.  The Towns County Herald should correct its editor’s note.

Jim Powell