City of Sedona

    City Council to discuss face coverings requirement
    at next meeting

    29 Comments

    City of Sedona ArizonaSedona AZ (June 18, 2020) – In light of rising COVID-19 cases, limiting the spread of the disease, and receiving new information from Arizona Governor Doug Ducey’s press conference today, at the upcoming City Council meeting on June 23, 2020, City Council plans to discuss if, when and where face coverings would be required in city limits.

    To provide feedback on this topic in the safest way possible, the public is encouraged to email City Council using this portal instead of attending the meeting in person. Space in Council Chambers is limited to ensure physical distancing and public comment may be limited or prohibited if necessary. The meeting will start at 4:30 p.m. and the topic will be discussed during item 8C: Discussion/possible direction regarding issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the city’s response. Read the full agenda here. Watch the meeting live either on Channel 4 or online here.

    Through today’s Executive Order, Ducey now authorizes cities and towns to adopt policies regarding the wearing of face coverings in public. Among other actions, the order also states that businesses must enact the following health measures if they haven’t already:

    • Physically distancing of 6 feet.
    • Providing employees with face coverings and requiring usage.
    • Conducting symptom checks for all employees before shifts.
    • Requiring sick employees to stay home.
    • Increasing the frequency of employee hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting.

    Local police will have the authority to enforce these mandates.

    More information

    Sedona Gift Shop

    To learn more information on the city’s response to COVID-19, and what resources are available for the community and businesses, go to www.sedonaaz.gov/covid19.

    Health resources

    Look to the following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and county resources for more information on COVID-19:

    29 Comments

    1. Anita Dalton on

      The mayor does nothing for us and she’s proud of it. We are the new hot spot. Do people not see All the cars from other hot spots. The restaurants here are not using safety. lAubrege is closing because two of their waiters have Covid. Do we actually have to vote on this? We need a new mayor. Please vote in August for Kurt Gehlbach,let’s make Sedona great again. I have written letters to the mayor and the City manager.Never got a reply. They don’t care.

    2. Diana on

      When I moved to Sedona several years ago, one of the things I noticed about the city was a seeming inability to make decisions and take timely action. I asked a longtime resident if this was “normal” here and was told that it was. I wasn’t too concerned, figuring anything “serious” or “urgent” would be handled appropriately.

      Now that we are actually facing something both serious AND urgent, I am very concerned. Sedona leadership chose to sit back and wait for the next scheduled city council meeting (still days away) to discuss the mask mandate issue. In stark contrast, other communities immediately began discussions and have already implemented their plans. Sandy Moriarty, where are you?

      If Sedona does not want to require face masks, then just say so. If Sedona does want to require face masks (and no, strongly suggesting wearing a mask is NOT working), then quit wasting time while maskless tourists (and locals to a lesser extent) wander around day after day potentially spreading the coronavirus.

      Mandatory or voluntary, let’s not forget the real purpose of a face mask. Asymptomatic people can spread the coronavirus, and wearing a face mask protects the people around you from YOU. Wearing a face mask also has the side benefit of making you look like a decent and caring human being.

    4. john roberts on

      Warren,I have trouble being convinced when listening to your link.

      The medical profession doesn’t agree with that link so heavily based as it is on OSHA – an agency with too many mistakes in their past.
      My physician disagrees too.

      How then do so many locations around the nation and world accomplish a good virus control when masking is also a requirement, even with spacing.

      The purpose in masking is to gain a considerable reduction of contagion by others in proximity to a possible carrier of the virus.

      This pandemic is much too deadly and serious too chance it by leaving out masking.

      John

      • Warren on

        Pretty broad statement (and completely inaccurate as a result, John): “The medical profession doesn’t agree with that link….” Here is but one of many M.D.s (a neurosurgeon) who says mask wearing is unhealthy and poses serious health risks: https://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/dr-blaylock-face-masks-pose-serious-risks-healthy11

        Stop watching TV and do some actual research and you’ll find that many other M.D.s have reached the same conclusion.

        And I am sorry to see that logic has escaped you. Again, if masks truly work then wear yours and stop worrying about anyone else. I sure don’t need your help regarding my health.

        As usual, there are two kinds of people in the world, those who wish to be left alone and those who won’t leave them alone.

        • Jeanie on

          Right on Warren, well said…if people want to wear a mask, go for it…I choose to not wear one for the potential health risks it causes and my right to choose how I take care of my health…I have always washed my hands several times a day and on the rare occasion I have been I’ll for a reason. I stay home!!!!
          I do not like all of the FEAR MONGERING LIES BEING SPREAD EVERY DAY….THATS WORSE THEN THE .FLU, FLU, FLU….

    5. Joan Shannon on

      The City said our Police Force would have the authority to enforce the mask wearing, wow, are we to turn into a police State like California? If I am not wearing a mask because I am not sick I harm none. The statement that a person could have the virus but, not yet exhibiting symptoms and during that time could pass it along to others is OLD NEWS. These incompetent scientists are constantly changing their minds and now say it cannot be passed along until the symptoms appear. I will not wear a mask because I am not a slave and also have asthma which is extremely exacerbated by a mask so guess I would be arrested by my own police force and thrown in jail on the sot without my medications or plans for my dog. AM I REALLING LIVING IN SEDONA? We seem to have a Socialist City Council so perhaps that is why they don’t are about residents and lately the businesses owners and they do not reply to emails. What will be done with all the tourists without masks, stop them as they come off 117 onto 179 and demanded to show their masks and told they cannot enter Sedona unless they are wearing one. What will happen to all of them. Or perhaps even worse told they will have to turn around back onto 117 to where they came from.

      Forcing us to wear masks is the forerunner of forcing us to take a “so called” vaccine which would not work and cause many extreme reactions like the flu vaccination does only worse because first time around would simply be an experiment.

      REMEMBER MASKS REMOVE OVER TWENTY PERCENT OF OXYGEN FROM YOUR BODY AND CHILDREN TWELVE AND UNDER SHOULD NEVER WEAR ONE ACCORDING TO THE SCIENTISTS. WHAT WILL THE CITY DO ABOUT THE CHILDREN….NO DOUBT THEY WILL BE IN JAIL.

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      • Diana on

        I can’t say that I agree with everything you said, but I’m with you on questioning the safety and effectiveness of a rushed and largely untested vaccine – assuming there actually will be one soon. If a vaccine typically takes 10-15 years to develop, test and perfect, who wants to be first in line for a vaccine that took 10-15 months? Not me. I’ll be the one in the mask standing 6 feet away from everyone.

    6. raidenleighknight on

      OSHA has stated mask are good for us, also doesn’t prevent spread of Covin 19please don’t force this on people

    8. John Roberts on

      Back to Warren and that he disliked what I wrote about his posted remarks that masks do not work. Warren, your defensive comments in support of that claim is based only on a solitary non technical advertisement to sell a book, “Regenerate”, by none other than a Sayer Ji a researcher employed by Green Medicate ( do they sell brussels sprouts ). Warren, I doubt you know anything about this person, Ji, his medical reputation or why any reader should pay heed to him.

      The rest of your retort was nothing but a blast of saliva. I apologize to you because that’s the best civil description I can muster.

      I suggest you be quiet and not make any more unsupportable off the wall and absolutely feeble comments.

      Really, Warren, do you actually think an advertisement to sell a veggie book compares in authoritative stature for persuasiveness with published recommendations of the CDC and the medical profession ?

      John

      • Warren on

        Learn to read, John, or get a new prescription. The article I linked above was written by Dr. Blaylock, not Sayer Ji. It has nothing do with selling Ji’s book or any of your other nonsensical accusations. It is posted other places online. I just happened to pick Ji’s site.

    9. archie mendez on

      Apparently my mask doesn’t work unless you are wearing one too.

      Nevermind that the instructions on the side of the box says “Not for Covid.”

      We are 4 months into quarantine and NOW you want to make masks mandatory?

      Slippery slope – if you make masks mandatory when will the restriction be lifted? NEVER – like many “temporary” laws and taxes placed on Americans – we’re still paying a temporary tax set into place during WW2.

      It has been proven that masks don’t work and that social distancing is an idea from some kid’s school project that Bush thought was cute. NO studies prove that it is a good idea or that it works.

      If people want to wear a mask, they should. If people don’t, then they don’t have to and should not be bullied into compliance for knowing the truth.

      I’m so tired of people saying it’s a law. It’s not a law in any town, city, state in the US. They are recommendations and that’s it, no matter what ridiculous declarations the mayors or governors make.

    10. Jocelyn Buckner on

      I just read an interesting article that states cannabis can prevent COVID and also treats COVID. So while masks show that “you’re a good person,” so does smoking pot . https://nypost.com/2020/05/21/scientists-believe-cannabis-could-help-prevent-treat-coronavirus/

      It is also a fact that it is rare for asymptomatic COVID patients to spread the disease. https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/other/asymptomatic-coronavirus-transmission-being-rare-is-a-fact-dr-atlas/vi-BB15iAIW

      Months ago, California’s democratic Governor Newsom made a billion dollar mask order with a Chinese manufacturer. Once he received the order, he made mask wearing mandatory in California. Illinois democrat did the same. Now democrats across the nation – from Governors to Mayors alike – are ordering people to don the mask across the country, meanwhile skewing the numbers of COVID cases and deaths. They are making money off this torture.
      https://nypost.com/2020/04/21/gavin-newsom-wont-share-details-on-1b-mask-deal-with-china/
      https://www.forbes.com/sites/sergeiklebnikov/2020/04/18/illinois-gov-pritzker-secretly-bought-medical-supplies-from-china-and-the-white-house-is-not-happy/#2d4c22c57891

      Many democrats and Antifa leaders would like to use the false narrative COVID crisis as a way to disarm Americans. In Arizona, it is against the law to conceal or open carry with a face covering.

      There’s many reasons democrats want masks, but the most hideous is the fact that it is quickly becoming the “Mask of the BEAST” because you can not go out of your home, go to school or shop without one.

      In a free society, NO ONE has the right to make a mandatory dress code by making anyone wear a mask.

    11. john roberts on

      Google on Sayer Ji ,the Green Mediate CEO, is not very complimentary about his background or bumbling injection of himself as an authority in non pharmaceutical medicines. The most prominent impression from Google is captured in the two words, ” Woo Medicine “. No wonder Google as a good referencing is absent.

      Ji’s opinions about female breast cancer and the womb are so badly conflicted that even we sewer engineers recognize the massive volume of baloney in them.

      I’ll trust the Sedona City Council to see through the anti mask sham being promoted by Shannon, Warren and Mendez in these Sedona.biz pages of comments.

      If Council wants to help Green Mediate they can pass a resolution that peas, lettuce, broccoli and other green vegetables are nutritious and tasty even if any individual council member refuses to eat some or all of them !!??

      John Roberts

      • Warren on

        John, you are obviously confused and wasting your time attacking Sayer Ji. As I explained above, M.D. and neurosurgeon Dr. Blaylock’s article was merely posted at Ji’s site as it is many other places online.

    12. john roberts on

      Pretty sneaky, Warren. Most of us like to be up front, but guess not so you hiding in another site.

      As to the book advertising Ji’s name and NOT Blaylock’s was plain to see on the book cover. My eye sight is fine nor am I easily bamboozled by amateurs like you.

      City council will see it clearly and resolve their action into a good decision. Masks are here to stay at least through the pandemic.

      Make no bets, you’ll only waste your funds.

      John

      • Warren on

        John, you poor thing. Time to bulk up on the ginko. You’re losing it. It clearly says at the link I provided:

        Dr. Blaylock: Face Masks Pose Serious Risks to the Healthy
        Views 108597
        Posted on: Saturday, May 16th 2020 at 10:00 am
        Written By: Dr. Russell Blaylock

        Nothing “pretty sneaky” about it, and the book advertising that has caused you to lose your mind is irrelevant.

    13. John Roberts on

      Thanks Warren. The world consists of all sorts of people and unfortunately some like you who because of stupidity refuse to acknowledge and don’t want to believe the professional and expert medical folks who know and advise that masking is an excellent additional means to help prevent those who are prone to infection by the virus.

      Enjoy your little universe.

      John

    14. Frances on

      I am a front line work in a grocery store here in Sedona and I do hope you pass the mandatory wearing of face masks we have tourist from around the world come to our small mountain community and this covid 19 is a serious issue we not only need to protect ourselves but our communities as well as our Guest that come to visit in order to keep our communities moving forward we all must be safe and stay healthy.so we all can continue to provide the friendly services our town is know for .

    16. john roberts on

      Frances, as I am a resident in the Sedona Winds – average ages of 93 – I am delighted to read your thoughts – not mostly because of the concern for us ole vulnerable guys but because you are intelligently recognizing what is right for our town, the people living here, their families as well as it is also for the good of the nation . And yes for the tourists coming here to enjoy this place with us.

      The only way out of this pandemic is a full force attack to control and rid ourselves of the disease in which masking has an important part in that effort.

      Thanks for speaking up. I am getting tired reading garbage from selfish folks who
      also have a thick skull ( called boneheads ).

      As stated before I am confident the city Council will make the right decision knowing 3 of them quite well.

      Thanks.

      John Roberts

    17. Richard L Harris on

      I am appalled at the number of people walking around inside businesses who are not wearing masks. I am a business owner and I require masks for workers and customers alike to enter the business. Those who refuse are requested to leave because they will not be serviced. Will I lose some customers – yes. Do I care – no. My business – my rules.

    18. john roberts on

      Richard Harris , it was great to read your message. So thanks. See my remarks to Frances above made earlier today and they apply from me also to you.

      I see one of my favorite town blockheads ( Mendez ) wormed his way into this series.There can’t possibly be this many Yucks around or can there be.

      Again thanks .

      John

    19. John Roberts on

      Yes Archie I am old but not so gullible to think your link to the James Fetzer long harangue supposedly espousing falsehoods and truths is believable or even close to reality. Yup, lots of useless trite in it, all seemingly applicable, is what you are lapping up making you so happy ingesting his slick offering of barnyard floor debris.

      That in short is why we ole folks are tagged by the words, “wise old man” ( women also), which maybe some day you too will be. I am not concerned about being old having weathered many serious problems like COVID-19 which you and your compatriots haven’t. This is called ” experience ” something maybe you too will some day gain.

      Right now the salient fact you miss and have omitted is that Japan, Germany as well as China have a far superior record to America in reducing death from the virus by strictly employing spacing, masking and similar CDC like controls.

      It’s unfortunate we in America are beset by an unfit and deranged president, a medical idiot , coning folks like you who impulsively want only to ( no other options ) believe him. Nothing else gets past your skulls. Trump’s sole goal is being elected this fall and not thinking of what is good for the country.

      All of which convinces me, an experienced old man, that the city council will find your claim unpersuasive to instead vote in good effective social behavior which can reverse the virus disease now taking place in Sedona, Arizona and the U.S.A..

      Archie, get real so we can have an intelligent exchange of information. I do not want to waste my time on the garbage you toss out.

      John Roberts

      • Tommy on

        Hey John & Archie. I just love reading the banter between the two of you. The dialogue adds pizzaz to the Sedona.biz experience. Please, don’t stop!

        “Old guy with old views.” “Offering of barnyard floor debris?” Too much.

        (:-> Keep it coming.

    20. john roberts on

      Tommy, I sure will continue the pizzaz in the Sedona.biz experience in which I am using and exhibiting an ability in real accomplishments such as supervising introduction of a new product before retiring when it grew in sales from zero to 50 million dollars/year with low 30% RONAs, instigating and managing a Sedona Arts Center campaign as president to raise 1.2million in contributions, conduct the Sedona sewer bond issue campaign for voting approval from a 50-50 chance to pass by 4 to 1 etc..

      Old guys experience sure tops feeble baseless character descriptions by anyone who doesn’t even know me.

      Thanks for running a good media for Sedona.

      John