Fresno leaders to consider stricter rules for masks, businesses with infected workers
A Fresno city leader is proposing stricter mask and case reporting requirements as the number of positive COVID-19 cases continue to climb at an increasing rate.
Councilmember Nelson Esparza said he wants to add language to the city’s coronavirus orders that would require people working, even when outside, to wear masks while near others.
The order also requires the masks be properly worn covering a person’s nose.
Masks with valves would not be considered proper. Esparza said the masks with valves “defeat the purpose” of the covering and could expel droplets carrying the virus.
“This clarifies whether indoors or outdoors, when you’re in the company of people, you should wear masks,” he said.
Esparza introduced the idea originally on June 18. The coronavirus case numbers have only gotten worse since.
On June 18, Fresno County had 3,058 positive cases and 62 deaths. Through Friday, the county tallied 7,906 cases and 87 deaths.
Valley-wide the cases have more than doubled from June 18, growing from 8,853 to pass 19,000 cases. The number of deaths on June 18 (192) have grown to at least 300 through Friday.
Councilmember Garry Bredefeld has been an outspoken opponent of the mask orders and mandatory closing of shops by city and state leaders. The proposed ordinance is more of the same, he said.
“(Esparza) is not a doctor. I don’t think he ought to be dictating what masks people ought to wear,” Bredefeld said. “I don’t think it’s really his domain.”
Bredefeld said city leaders should provide residents with information, and people should follow Center for Disease control guidelines, but the city should not mandate it.
The CDC recommends wearing a mask when people are in proximity with those they do not live with, and especially if social distancing is difficult.
Contracting the virus is considered a lower risk when outside because the wind carries droplets away, scientists have said.
Testing positive
The proposed language also requires employers to notify others when an employee tests positive for the coronavirus. The employer would not be required to make the case public, but would have 24 hours to notify other employees, customers and those who may have been in contact with the sick person.
It became clear last week that in California there are no clear enforceable rules for private companies — or public health officials — to report COVID-19 outbreaks at workplaces.
“At the very least, people who work there should know about a potential exposure,” Esparza said.
Employers would also be required to sanitize a work place after an employee tested positive.
Bredefeld said the notification process is a troublesome one because it could hinder privacy.
The vote on the amended ordinance in Fresno comes before the City Council on Thursday. If the amendment gets five votes, it will be enacted immediately. Four votes would require 30 days before it is effective.
More closures
California shopping malls, gyms, indoor church worship and nail salons will shut down again, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Monday in a new round of measures aimed at curtailing the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak.
The closures will take place in counties that have been on the state’s monitoring list for three or more days, which includes Fresno, Kings and Tulare.
