Public indoor mask requirement for Farragut, Knox County, begins Friday
Knox County Sheriff Spangler has 'serious concerns' over the constitutionality of the order
While Farragut and Knox County will fall under a mandate requiring facemasks be worn inside of any indoor public space starting Friday, July 3, the county’s top law enforcement official has legal doubts about the directive.
This decision was made by Knox County Board of Health Wednesday night, and means:
• Facemasks are required inside of any space the public is allowed to enter including stores, private businesses, libraries, and communal spaces in apartment buildings or condo developments.
• Exemptions are made for public schools, places of worship and federal/state government facilities.
• Children under 12 are exempt.
• Persons with qualifying medical conditions are exempt.
“There are serious questions as to the constitutionality of the order made by the Health Board,” Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler stated in a press release. “My deputies are sworn to support and defend the constitution. We will rely on the citizens of this community to protect themselves and others in the manner they find appropriate.”
“Our Town Hall and Community Center have required masks and physical distancing since we reopened," Farragut Mayor Ron Williams stated in an e-mail earlier today. “I think what Gov. (Bill) Lee said (earlier today) in our conference call, 'Wearing a mask is serving my neighbor,' says it all.”
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, who cast the lone dissenting vote among Board of Health members concerning the mask directive, issued the following statement Thursday afternoon: as part of his weekly constituency update:
“There are lots of things going on in the county. The board of health voted to require, with some exceptions, mask to be worn in indoor public spaces. I voted no on this measure.
“While I realize the importance of mitigating the damage the pandemic causes in our community, I worry that one-size-fits-all mandates such as this set a terrible precedent for government overreach, are difficult to enforce, can cause conflict between the authorities and the public when enforced, and, as written, this order places enforcement responsibilities on private businesses.
“Finally, there are potential privacy concerns as folks who cannot comply due to a medical condition could be compelled to disclose personal medical information, which is a violation of federal law. I also worry that folks who cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition will be stigmatized.
“Nevertheless, Covid-19 is still with us, so please continue to exercise personal responsibility in adhering to the recommended public health guidelines.”
To read the full order, check the Knox County Health Dept. website at https://covid.knoxcountytn.gov/
