Many GOP lawmakers shrug off Statehouse mask-wearing rules
Many Republican lawmakers in states where coronavirus cases and hospitalisations have surged are not only rejecting statewide mask mandates. Theyre also resisting rules requiring them in their own capitols.
Efforts to require lawmakers and staff to wear masks have received a cool reception even in statehouses that have seen outbreaks of the virus or where Republican governors have issued statewide mandates. Its echoing a partisan divide nationwide over a simple step that health experts say is proven to help keep others safe.
Were supposed to be modeling for our constituents and for our residents in our state,” said Arkansas state Sen. Stephanie Flowers, a Democrat in the majority-Republican Legislature who proposed a rule requiring senators to wear a mask or risk losing their per diem payments. Youve got the governor asking everyone to wear a mask and socially distance. Its not like Im asking for something nobody has heard of.” Many legislatures are still planning and drafting rules for their 2021 legislative sessions, while four chambers approved rules requiring masks for sessions this year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Nearly 200 legislators nationwide have tested positive for the virus and four have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began, according to figures compiled by The Associated Press. After at least four dozen Mississippi lawmakers tested positive in the largest outbreak in a legislature, where masks were encouraged but not required for lawmakers.
Missouris Legislature postponed a special session focused on virus relief after a COVID-19 outbreak among lawmakers, and a Tennessee lawmaker said she wont be able to spend Thanksgiving with her mother after attending a hearing where legislators werent wearing masks.
Health experts warn the public is taking their cue from elected officials at a time those officials are trying to restrict or discourage indoor gatherings that are fueling a rapid rise in cases.
We know it works, but if political leaders dont stand behind their public health officials and say we need to do this, a significant portion of the public may not follow, said Dr. Jeffrey Levi, professor of health policy at George Washington University.
Legislatures have taken steps to try to limit the virus, with some allowing remote voting and others meeting in larger venues to allow more spacing. Arkansas House, for example, met in a basketball arena for two sessions last spring but will return to the Capitol next year.
Twelve Arkansas lawmakers have tested positive for the virus over the past month, the second largest known outbreak in a state legislature.
The latest outbreak began after lawmakers convened at the Capitol for budget hearings last month. The budget panel had adopted a mask rule that didnt require lawmakers to wear them when speaking into a microphone, drinking or if they were at least six feet away from other people.
Flowers has diabetes, which puts her at a higher risk of complications from the virus. She pulled down her proposal for a stricter rule in the Senate to make changes based on concerns raised about the measure and plans to bring a reworked version back when lawmakers convene in January. House Speaker Matthew Shepherd said he expected that chamber to take up a version similar to the Joint Budget Committees rule.
Republican Sen. Trent Garner called Flowers proposal and its penalties draconian” and said the Legislature should be held to the same standard as the statewide mask mandate GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed earlier this year.
We dont need to create a tell on each other rule when it comes to public safety,” Garner said.
Tennessee Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson tweeted Tuesday she would no longer have Thanksgiving dinner with her mother after attending a legislative meeting with Republican members who werent wearing masks.
We arent having a big family Thanksgiving dinner (with) mom due to COVID, but I was going to eat with her at a distance, Johnson wrote, adding that being around her legislative colleague for the past two days will now mean shell leave her food on the steps.
House and Senate leaders in Oklahoma announced plans to impose a mask mandate for employees who work inside the Capitol after two lawmakers tested positive last week. But legislative leaders acknowledged that individual legislators couldnt be forced to wear masks.
An outbreak among Missouri state senators that postponed a special session focused on federal coronavirus aid hasnt spurred a requirement for lawmakers there to wear masks either. Republican senators were photographed not wearing masks during a caucus retreat with GOP Gov. Mike Parsons.
Senators have been encouraged to wear masks and many have done so as they move around through public spaces,” Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz said. It is, however, ultimately up to each individual to make that decision.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Federal staff and is auto-published from a syndicated feed.)
