Divided legislature extends Jackson County mask order again as vaccinations still lag
The mask order in eastern Jackson County has been extended until a minute before midnight on Nov. 22.
Five Jackson County legislators voted for the extension introduced by Jalen Anderson, Crystal Williams and Scott Burnett . Also voting yes were Charlie Franklin and Ron Finley.
“As long as there are deaths (from COVID-19), I think we need this in place to protect people,” Finley said.
Chairman Dan Tarwater and Jeanie Lauer voted against an extension. They along with Theresa Galvin had sponsored a competing resolution voted on earlier in Monday’s meeting that would have ended the requirement for masks at indoor public settings immediately. The current health order was set to expire Sunday.
But it failed 5-3, with legislator Tony Miller absent.
Galvin had already left the meeting when it was time to cast votes in favor of an extension.
A few members of the audience stood at the back of the legislative chamber in the downtown courthouse holding signs that urged an end to the mask order. The restrictions affect people 5 and older in parts of Jackson County outside the city limits of Independence and Kansas City, both of which are not subject to the county government jurisdiction because they have their own health departments.
In their remarks favoring an end to the mask order, Tarwater and Galvin stressed the need for a return to normal life. Galvin said whatever the county did, area school districts were still free to require masks regardless of the county’s policy.
“They can do what they want to do,” she said.
But Anderson said an extension was justified because the rate of vaccination is still too low among county residents eligible for the shots: 47 percent fully vaccinated and 62 percent who have gotten at least one shot.
