[ad_1]
About 100 protesters burned masks outside the Idaho Capitol in Boise on Saturday as a statement against the restrictions on the pandemic, according to authorities and people who tweeted from the scene.
No one was arrested and organizers had permits, but the rally was under review because a fire had started, Idaho state police said in a statement.
“During the event, an open flame was ignited in a barrel,” police said. “Those involved in the event were advised both before and during the event that open flames are not permitted on State Capitol grounds.”
Video and photos shown children present and even participate.
Resource person for the rally, Conservative activist Darr Moon, husband of Republican Dorothy Moon, said it was one of multiple Burn the Mask rallies across the state on Saturday organized by several groups . He posted photos on Facebook of a similar event in Rexburg.
Moon said with the state being predominantly rural, the number of Covid-19 infections was low and masks and other pandemic restrictions were not always necessary.
“Some health districts have warrants or some cities require masks to be worn and we just don’t have the numbers here,” he said. “The Covid numbers are very low. We flattened the curve a long time ago and people want to go back to work, they want to have normal lives.”
According to the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, about 1 in 4 people who have been tested for the virus in the past week in Idaho have tested positive. That’s down from the state’s all-time high the week of December 6, when two-thirds of those tested were positive.
The state has recorded 1,876 deaths from a pandemic, according to the NBC News tally.
The state “strongly recommends” masks, but they are not mandatory, although some cities and counties do require them. Indoor and outdoor gatherings are limited to 50 people or less. Tables in bars and restaurants should be spaced at least six feet apart and all customers should remain seated.
Republican Governor Brad Little tweeted Thursday, “Keep practicing the things we know to work. Wear your mask. Wash your hands. Stay home if you are sick.”
The Idaho House of State Affairs Committee on Tuesday paved the way for debate on a bill that would ban warrants masked by government entities.
“We are not against face masks,” Moon said. “You know, some people might need to protect themselves. There are certain parts of the population that are elderly… they have problems. For healthy people, we want to go back to work.
“Our livelihoods have been put in jeopardy because of all the executive orders and mandates.”
The Associated Press contributed.
[ad_2]
Source link