Editorial: Elected officials should wear masks in public meetings, or stay home

Masks have been a hot-button issue in these pandemic days. Whether it is an online video of a confrontation over wearing a mask in a private business or something closer to home, some people rebel against wearing masks in public settings.

Wearing cloth masks, especially indoors, is widely regarded by public health experts as a key part of preventing the spread of coronavirus. Moreover, they signal respect for your fellow citizen or co-worker: “My mask protects you, your mask protects me” is the common-sense mantra. Some people feel silly wearing a mask, consider it an assault on their personal freedoms, or want to debate the science and the effectiveness. People get to have those debates because of freedom of speech.

Leaders, however, should demonstrate how to disagree safely and in keeping with the law.

Westmoreland County Controller Jeffrey Balzer attended a county commissioners meeting last week in which he didn’t wear the face covering that the county requires for the courthouse. All other elected officials and staff members wore masks.

A citizen at the meeting, Michael Pardus, correctly called him out. “It’s unacceptable for you as an elected official of this county to not wear a mask. There is no debate, it’s the law,” he said.

Balzer offered a lame excuse. “It’s just a health issue,” he said after the meeting. “I cough. And if I put a mask on, I cough even more.”

Coughing is exactly the reason a mask is supposed to be worn, to keep the droplets expelled in a cough — droplets that could contain microscopic particles of covid-19 — from making contact with others.

Yes, there are some medical exceptions to mask-wearing. In most public settings, people who can’t wear masks are required to stay away.

As a county leader and elected official, Balzer should model safe behavior. If a mask cannot be worn, technology makes it possible for the three-term Republican to participate in meetings via phone or streaming online.

Same goes for Irwin Borough Council. At a recent meeting, none of the council members, the mayor or solicitor wore masks. They did not keep the recommended six feet of distance. A citizen at the meeting, Bryan Rosatti, did the right thing by denouncing their reckless behavior.

The council did conduct meetings via online streaming in April and May, but has since resumed in-person meetings. It’s shameful for council members not only to disregard state regulations but to set a poor example for their constituents.

Public meetings are not the time or place to create conflict over safety. They are an opportunity for anyone to observe or participate in their government. That should be encouraged at every turn.

Leaders should know that. Leaders should promote that. Leaders should make public meetings a place where the rules may be simultaneously followed but debated — and technology exists to make that possible.