Some Background on the Expiring Mask Order

Several folks have recently asked me questions about the mask order expiration on Dec. 31, or have commented that, with the current spike in COVID cases, now is not the time to let it expire.

Given that the Wyoming Legislature has created a complicated process for enacting public health orders, now is a good time to clarify several points.

First, the Legislature has not granted county commissions the authority to enact public health orders, including mask mandates. Instead, it authorizes county health officers to submit a proposed public health order to the State Health Officer in Cheyenne for approval.

Upon submission from a local health officer, the State Health Officer may approve, delay, modify, or deny a local mask order. In the past, this process has led to significant delays and revisions to proposed health orders in Teton County, involving substantial coordination between the county attorney and the Wyoming Attorney General.

If approved, a public health order expires after a maximum of 10 days; however, the county commission then has the authority to extend the approved order. Teton County Commissioners extended the current mask order (that was issued in August) through the end of this month.

Teton County Health Officer Dr. Travis Riddell and the county Health Department have not submitted a new mask mandate to Cheyenne. They wrote a memo dated Dec. 14 explaining that they are not inclined to seek an extension or a new order. However, the recent surge may cause them to reconsider, especially if a surge in COVID hospitalizations follows the current spike in cases.

So far, the latest wave of COVID cases nationally has thankfully not been followed by the stark rise in hospitalizations seen in prior waves. But if we do see a surge here, we’ll see how Cheyenne responds.

With proactive public health measures and the highest vaccination rate in the state, Teton County has fared relatively well throughout the pandemic. Take a look at this Guest Shot by Tom Hogan in the Dec. 22, 2021 News & Guide, which explains that the COVID mortality rate in Teton County is two to eight times lower than in other Wyoming counties.

This is despite the facts that Teton County’s population is slightly older than the state-wide average, and that we entertain far more visitors than other counties, which introduces more opportunity for COVID to spread among residents.

But we are not out of the woods yet.

Until then, if you are eligible, please get your vaccination or booster (if not for you, for others who are not as healthy or as young), wear a mask in public spaces, and show some love for those whose immune system may not be as strong as yours.

Finally, please join me in expressing gratitude to our overworked and under-appreciated county Health Officer, staff at the county Health Department, emergency medical technicians, and staff at St. John’s Health. Their dedication, expertise, and sacrifice play a significant role in reducing mortality and serious illness. They are local heroes.

All the best for the new year.