Local officials frustrated by lack of say in reopening

Meeting inside the Lincoln County Courthouse in person for the first time in weeks, commissioners blasted state and federal officials’ handling of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Mark Peck, chair of the board of commissioners, said the plan to ease restrictions and reopen the economy lacked standardization and common sense. He criticized the phased approach to the lifting of pandemic measures for giving bars the green light to return to business, but not wellness facilities or “health boutiques.”

“To me, it’s completely arbitrary and capricious,” he said. “There’s not one ounce of science.”

Gov. Steve Bullock announced the phased return to normalcy April 22. Phase one, currently in effect, allowed churches and retail outlets to resume business this week as long as they can impose social distancing guidelines. Bars, restaurants, breweries and casinos can reopen May 4, but similarly must limit customer capacity.

Schools, under the plan, can reopen May 7, but many districts — including in Libby and Troy — already have opted to continue remote learning through the school year’s end.

Gyms, pools and hot tubs must remain closed for the near future, as must theaters, concert halls and other large entertainment venues.

Gatherings of more than 10 people are highly discouraged until the state enters into the second phase of the plan. Even then, though, gatherings would be capped at 50 people.

There is no set date for when the state enters phase two.

Peck and fellow County Commissioner Jerry Bennett (D-2) argued the decision of what should open and when ought to be left to local authorities. They are left holding the bag when it comes to enforcement, the pair said.

“I’m sick and tired of the state and federal government overreaching and telling us what to do down here, at this level. I’m sick of it,” Peck said. “I don’t think we need the state government or federal government to tell us that a business can’t open.”

Both worried that local businesses may take the initiative in reopening. If that happens, it will fall to local officials to impose the governor’s rules, making “criminals out of” entrepreneurs, Peck said.

He also heavily criticized the governor’s plan for favoring bars and taverns. He questioned who would be more concerned with social distancing, a barkeep at 10 p.m. or a yoga instructor at 6 a.m.?

Bennett held up the state imposed quarantine as another problem. While officials are asking visitors from Idaho and Washington state to self-isolate after arriving in Montana, there is no mechanism to enforce it.

“They say this and then they turn around and say, ‘Oh, by the way, we’re not going to enforce it,’” Bennett said. “It’s kind of like using the orange fencing with the asbestos.”

County Commissioner Josh Letcher (D-3) reported that traffic between the United States and Canada had been restricted to “essential” business, but that no one had defined what constituted an imperative reason to cross the border.

“So you can actually go back-and-forth to Canada as long as somebody decides it’s essential, whether it’s to go shopping or visit a family member,” Letcher said.

Restrictions on gatherings and public spaces began ramping up in mid-March as state and federal officials attempted to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus.

More than 1 million cases have been reported in the U.S. since the outbreak began, according to the Washington Post.

The effects of the wave of restrictions have roiled the economy, causing the worst slowdown in growth since 2008, according to the Washington Post.

Despite his frustration, Peck said he is still asking residents to take health precautions.

“I want to encourage people to wash their hands, continue social distancing and protect yourselves how you see fit and use good common sense,” he said. “If you’re in those high risk categories, protect yourself more and if you need more than that, we need to step in and help with that. We cannot continue to shut those businesses, though.”