cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
Small business owners contacted by the News on Tuesday said they would like to see a mask bylaw if it increases the numbers of people wearing masks, and slows the spread of the coronavirus and keeps the community healthy and able to access their businesses.
Two who signed a letter to council this week asking for an emergency meeting said masks would protect them and their employees, and help avoid another shutdown like in the spring.
“The implications are staggering, and if we can reduce the spread by wearing simple masks, and avoid all that, why wouldn’t we?” asked Jan Dynes, of the Framing and Arts Centre, located on Second Street.
Dynes said she and her husband Bruce wear masks welcoming customers at their business to protect themselves and customers, and, while doing their own shopping to protect those employees from potential spread of COVID-19.
“Most customers are very good, but I don’t make a big issue if someone’s not wearing a mask because I don’t want confrontation,” she said. “I don’t think council can police every situation or issue, but if this makes the community safer, the onus is on them to protect the community.”
Odessa Vermee, who owns Quilt Creations on Kingsway Avenue, estimates that nine out of 10 customers to her store currently use masks. But she’s concerned about practices at major retailers that have a wider customer base and the general community.
“I’m all for pro-choice, but we’ve got to slow this down,” she said, saying that the more people see others wearing masks, the more they’ll be reminded or less embarrassed about wearing one themselves.
“I, myself, wasn’t wearing a mask very often, but now, with what’s going on, it’s got to happen,” she said.
