TETON VALLEY, Ida. — In an open letter to his constituents, Driggs Mayor Hyrum Johnson said the city council will consider imposing a mask mandate “due to the unprecedented pressure on our healthcare system, where nearly 99% of cases are unvaccinated individuals and Idaho is running out of ICU beds,” Johnson said.
In the letter, Johnson said he is vaccinated and still wears a mask. He does it for the safety of others, he said.
Johnson also touched on the debate between the masked and unmasked, acknowledging much of the argument stems from a personal freedom viewpoint. Johnson said the flipside of individual freedom is personal responsibility. “One can’t have one without the other,” Johnson stated.
“So how does this relate to masks and COVID? Wearing a mask and getting vaccinated isn’t a question of individual freedoms, political beliefs, or debating the science. It is about what we can each do for the common good; for our neighbors, family, and friends,” Johnson said. “Though, as mayor, I am no fan of mandates, the Driggs City Council will consider requiring masks again.”
The City Council meets tonight at 6pm. As of August 26, face coverings are required in all city facilities in Driggs. The City of Victor imposed a mask mandate requiring masks in all public indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status beginning August 27.
“Until we reach a vaccination rate closer to 80%, we should continue to wear a mask when indoors or unable to socially distance,” Johnson added.
