Still seeking variances

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
For months, the Weston County commissioners have submitted variance requests to both local and state public health officers, all of which have been denied. During the Dec. 1 board meeting, Commissioner Marty Ertman asked that the board continue to discuss and submit variances to the state, with the goal of making the county’s opinion known.
“I don’t mind asking for variances. The people are doing what is necessary to protect their health. I’m not sure how many are following the orders, … but to drop it (the variances) is to say that the government can tell us what to do,” Ertman said. “I would like to see us have this discussion every time. … I would like to keep asking for it.” 
Ertman said that the commissioners must stay up to date with COVID-19-related issues in the county. According to Ertman, with
325 cases confirmed in the county, less than 5% of the population had tested positive. This, she said, is no reason to implement public health orders. 
Both Ertman and Chairman Ed Wagoner expressed concerns with the accuracy of reporting and delays in the cases being added and removed from counts. Ertman said that she has a hard time getting the numbers reported by Weston County Public Health to correlate with the numbers on the Wyoming Department of Health website. 
“By having variances, we are showing the state we are watching, that we are going to protect our people in the way we need to,” Ertman said. 
At this stage in the pandemic, she said, the continued requests for variances  tell the state government and constituents that the commissioners are paying attention to what is going on with COVID-19 and that commissioners are doing what they can to get the answers the public needs. 
Not only are the commissioners concerned about the effects of the public health orders on people and the economy, but they are also concerned that public health officials have the authority to deny the requests. 
Commissioner Nathan Todd said he believed that someone who is not an elected official is determining the fate of the variance requests.
“It is unbelievable that there is a person in that position,” Todd said. 
Commissioner Tracy Hunt expressed similar frustration, stating that the power defaulting to the appointed individual is a “pretty sweeping power,” especially because the government and people have no way to resist what they ordered the public to do. 
“There needs to be legislation that puts a check and balance there. There is a lot more danger from the bureaucracy than from the virus. …” Hunt said. “The fact that people want to manage us over something that is not life threatening to most, and they are not managing to any objectives … . Resist is what we must do, if we don’t, it will get worse.” 
After the discussion, the commissioners went into executive session with the purpose of discussing  Dr. Mike Jording, the county public health officer. The board of county commissioners appoints the public health officer. 
“I had to go find it. I got a hint. How come we haven’t been told? I was told while I was on vacation that someone signs a mask mandate for us,” Ertman said, prior to the executive session.  “We are elected to represent the people; that is a reflection on this board. I believe we need to sit down and do variances and keep doing them. Whether or not they are approved, that is our statement – no, we don’t want you.” 
Commissioner Tony Barton suggested that a more “enlightened” conversation about the topic could be had with Jording present and that the board should invite him and Lori Bickford, the Weston County public health nurse, to the next meeting. 
“We need to get their perspectives. I hate to try and interpret what they are thinking when they make decisions, what inclined them to make the decision,” Barton said. “We need to understand what they are seeing as a doctor and public health officer. … In health care, it is your job to save lives, not the economy.” 
Ertman argued that Jording has the ability to request a conversation with the board as well, to inform them of his opinion on a mask mandate and to keep dialogue open. 
“Communication goes both ways,” Ertman said, noting that Jording should be just as willing to hear the opinions of the commissioners and the public regarding the public health orders and measures taken in Weston County. 
“He is seeing a different clientele than we are seeing; the conversation should come here,” Ertman said. 
Barton agreed and asked that Jording be invited to the next commissioner’s meeting on Dec. 15 to discuss the board’s concerns.