COVID health order vote postponed amid protests at meeting, CDH board members’ homes
The Central District Health Board of Health meeting Tuesday night to discuss and vote on a public health order dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic was adjourned shortly after it started because of the danger posed by protesters at the CDH office and at some board members’ places of residence.
Moments after a tearful Commissioner Diana Lachiondo left the virtual meeting to head to her house — where her children were home alone, and where anti-mask, anti-health-order protesters had reportedly gathered — CDH Director Russ Duke interrupted a doctor’s statements on the toll of the coronavirus to tell the board and people watching that Boise Mayor Lauren McLean and Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee had requested that the meeting be ended for safety reasons.
On Wednesday, Lee said there are three active arrest warrants connected to the protests outside Lachiondo’s home and that more could be coming.
Dr. Ted Epperly, another board member, said protesters gathered at his house as well. He told the Statesman that about 15 people were outside his home, “beating garbage cans and flashing strobe lights through my windows. Two came up and knocked on my door during the meeting.”
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting to a later date and seconded, and board members voted to adjourn shortly after Duke’s statement.
“I am disappointed that we had to table the vote,” Epperly told the Statesman.
In a press release Tuesday night, Christine Myron, CDH’s public information officer, noted that “Boise Police were on scene at CDH with an increased presence in anticipation of a large-scale protest. However, growing safety concerns required the meeting to adjourn before any discussion of the draft public health order began.”
In the release, Duke said: “We appreciate the public’s interest and investment in this process, but the safety of CDH staff, our board members and our law enforcement partners is of the utmost importance. Our community is being severely impacted by this virus and our team members and board are working tirelessly to protect our community’s health. We simply ask that those who may disagree with these difficult discussion points and decisions do so in a way that is respectful and does not endanger our staff, Board of Health members, and our law enforcement, all who are critical in this response.”
Just prior to the meeting’s end, Rep. Megan Blanksma, R-Hammett, an Elmore County representative on the CDH board, said she had spoken to police at the district headquarters and had been told that one person had been detained there but that BPD had the situation under control.
Epperly chimed in that things “sadly” were not under control at his house or at Lachiondo’s, and Duke reiterated that McLean and Lee had asked for the meeting to end. Lachiondo later tweeted that she was fine, thanking the Boise Police Department for its help. And in a Facebook post Wednesday morning, she expanded on what happened and called on Gov. Brad Little to address the public health crisis in a stronger fashion.
In a radio interview on Wednesday morning, Blanksma commented on the protests and called going to people’s homes “totally unacceptable.”
“I understand that people are frustrated, but you don’t go to somebody’s home. People trying to express feelings in calm, controlled manner (are) getting lost in the attempt at bullying at somebody’s house.
“The folks outside the health department building were not threatening anyone. They were doing a peaceful protest allowed by law. I don’t want that to get lost in the behavior of a few.”
McLean, speaking at the Boise City Council meeting Tuesday evening, said she called for the end of the meeting for the safety of everyone involved, including police officers.
“This has gone too far,” McLean said. “We’re at a point now that we need to remind ourselves this is not who we are.”
She said that decisions made at local levels are designed to help protect residents and keep businesses open during a challenging pandemic.
“Most of us in this community, the wide majority of people in this city, have shown who we are and the sacrifices that we’ve made,” she said. “But what we saw tonight and what we’re continuing to see more and more is a rise in temperature, a threat of violence, that is meant to intimidate but can also ultimately incite and cause deep, deep problems … and tear families and others apart.”
A crowd of hundreds — much larger than the protest at Friday’s meeting — had gathered outside the CDH headquarters to object to measures being put into place meant to head off the worsening health care crisis caused by the pandemic. BPD said in a release Tuesday night that there was a concern that officers wouldn’t be able to maintain order across the several protests, including at at least three board members’ homes. Investigators were working to secure warrants for the arrest of some of the protesters for disturbing the peace.
One person was placed under citizen’s arrest for alleged trespassing by a representative of CDH and was taken to the Ada County Jail by Boise officers. That person was later identified as Yvonne St Cyr, 53, of Boise, in a BPD press release.
Via his official Twitter account Tuesday night, Little described the act of going to a public official’s private residence as “reprehensible.”
“It is nothing more than a bullying tactic that seeks to silence. Our right to free speech should not be used to intimidate and scare others,” he wrote. “There is no place for this behavior in Idaho. I urge calm among Idahoans so we can get through the pandemic together, stronger.”
Coronavirus numbers
COVID-19 has sickened more than 95,000 Idahoans (confirmed cases) and killed nearly 1,100, and doctors and health care officials have warned that they will have to start rationing care if it is not brought under better control.
Among other restrictions, the order that was to be considered Tuesday night — applying to Ada, Valley, Boise and Elmore counties — would have mandated masks in public and private places where 6-foot distancing is not an option with nonhousehold members. Boise and Elmore counties haven’t had mandates previously.
Idaho’s seven-day moving average climbed to 1,521.1 cases per day Tuesday, surpassing the previous record set Monday of 1,457.4. Since Dec. 1, the state’s seven-day moving average has increased by 30.1%. It is up 84.6% since Nov. 1.
Ada County alone added a record 499 new confirmed cases on Tuesday, increasing its seven-day moving average to an all-time high of 338 cases per day. Ada County has reported 25,203 confirmed cases overall.
The state’s seven public health districts reported a combined 1,579 new confirmed cases (third-highest total) and 425 new probable cases for 2,004 total cases on Tuesday. The 2,004 cases is the second-most reported for a single day.
Statewide, Little has resisted implementing a mask mandate or other strict measures to try to deal with the pandemic, leaving decisions to the local health districts, and cities and counties. Many orders are in effect across various parts of Idaho, including in Boise, which has a mask mandate in place.
Nearly all of the protesters at the Central District Health building were maskless and in violation of that order.
About 300 signs were placed on the CDH lawn in support of the public health order on Tuesday afternoon. The homemade signs were signed by residents and made statements urging the use of masks and saying things such as “trust science,” “love thy neighbor” and “respect nurses and doctors.”
Nathaniel Hoffman, one of the organizers of the pro-mask sign “remote rally,” said that CDH took down the signs later in the afternoon before the meeting, on the advice of its attorney. So the group collected the signs and held them in a corner of the parking lot, he said.
What the order would, would not do
Under the new draft of the order that was to be discussed, published Saturday, sports may still take place and visits to long-term care facilities can happen, but with strict restrictions.
Sports and extracurricular activities can continue if all audience and crowd members wear masks, regardless of whether they are inside or outside, when they cannot stay 6 feet apart from nonhousehold members. Inside a school, masks must always be worn, no matter the physical distance between people.
Visits to long-term care facilities may continue as long as the facility follows strict regulations. Visitors must be screened for symptoms, outdoor visits are preferable, and signs must be posted at the facility educating people about COVID-19 symptoms. If positivity is greater than 10%, visitation should occur only for compassionate care, which can include end-of-life situations.
Public and private gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited. Schools do not count as a “gathering.” There also are exemptions for acts of “political expression” or religious services for worship.
Business must implement curbside service and delivery where possible. Employers should allow employees to work from home whenever possible.
Bars and restaurants may remain open, but bartops and dance floors are closed. Tables must be spaced at least 6 feet apart. Staff must always wear masks.
Bars and nightclubs with occupancy permits of less than 200 shall not exceed 50% of posted occupancy. Those permitted for 200-500 shall not operate beyond 30% capacity. Those permitted for occupancy above 500 shall not operate above 20% capacity.
Gyms and fitness centers must limit capacity to no more than 50%, including during fitness classes.
This story was originally published December 8, 2020 at 5:55 PM.
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