Paul Scott Comment: Taking out frustrations about Decorah's mask ordinance on Decorah businesses is just plain wrong

(The following is an editorial by decorahnews.com's Paul Scott):

The Decorah City Council is expected to give final approval Friday morning to an ordinance requiring the wearing of masks in most indoor locations within the city limits.  We have been doing our job at decorahnews.com, which is to provide to the public as much information as we can (including the text of the ordinance), so everyone can make up their own mind about whether this is a good idea or a bad idea.  We'll leave the opinions (300 words or less) to our readers.

But there's one comment I've been hearing frequently that I want to address separately.  Janet, for instance, said it succinctly: "I do all my shopping in Decorah.  If a face mask mandate is enacted, I will take all my business to Cresco."

Here's what's wrong with this attitude:

1) The mask mandate was approved by the Decorah City Council, not by Decorah businesses.

2) Some Decorah business owners spoke against the mask mandate on Monday night.

3) You'll already be asked to wear a mask in many Decorah businesses, including Walmart and large retailers.

4) You'll already be asked to wear a mask in many businesses in NE Iowa.

5) Such a threat might not even be effective--there's a chance some people who hadn't been shopping in Decorah will come here because there's a mask ordinance.

6) Finally--and most importantly--is this how you want to behave?  What happens the next time you come to a local Decorah business owner and ask them to support your church fundraiser or your kid's project?  What would be your reaction if they said, "I don't believe in what the County Board is doing--so I'm not donating"?

Don't blame Decorah's independent businesses for something they didn't create.  Let's act as a community--not just when we're agreeing, but when we're disagreeing.