Hospitalization went down to 547 (-57) I thought we add like 70 plus again today or they just spending people home on oxygen? That seems like a lot of recoveries in on day.

Hospitalization went down to 547 (-57) I thought we add like 70 plus again today or they just spending people home on oxygen? That seems like a lot of recoveries in on day.

Always assume the worst, my man. Whatever makes Oklahoma seem the worst.

Is Todd Stone going to sink this? .......

He might.

It’s going to look really dumb if they push it off for next month and more cities that are smaller pass a mask requirement.

I’m admittedly not watching so someone that is feel free to correct me or add context that wasn’t relayed to me, but we’ve apparently reached the point in the city council meeting where a concerned citizen is comparing the mask requirement to Jim Crow laws. I wish I could say I’m completely shocked, but nothing really surprises me anymore.

I'm embarrassed to be an Oklahoman (and an American) right now over the way this has been handled (among other things that I won't get into because it'd be too political). Our country is literally a laughingstock and being looked at in horror and pity by so many other countries (not to mention the travel bans and quarantines instituted from *and* within America).

So, here's a story on the switch from CDC to HHS, still think it will go well and we'll still have all the data in a timely fashion?

Inside The Coronavirus Data Mess The Trump Administration Created (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-coronavirus-data-mess_n_5f11fc48c5b619afc4014697)

Two excerpts, but you should really read the whole article.

"Nearly a week’s worth of data on hospital capacity is still missing. While the CDC restored the dashboards that had been taken down, as of Friday afternoon, they had not been updated beyond July 14." (not sure how they get "nearly a week" from 3 days, though).

"There is more the administration has opted to keep to itself as it pushes for schools and states to get back to normal. An internal White House document obtained by the Center for Public Integrity shows that 18 states are in the “red zone” for COVID-19 cases, with more than 100 per 100,000 people last week. "

Yeah if doctors and epidemiologists can present scientific evidence to people and they respond back with "don't listen to the medical community" and present their own set of "facts", then I'm not sure what else you can do.

I'm pretty sure that memes are more influential on public policy than epidemiologists at this point.

Passes 8-1. McAtee was the lone 'no'.

Ha, thanks, we do seem to be on the same page quite a bit... Maybe after my digestive system gets over all the alcohol I've been ingesting lately (and have now stopped for a while :)), we can go to someplace that has a good dark beer on tap (unfortunately not the Prairie tap room - all they seem to have (had) is sours and IPAs on tap, weird they didn't have any of their Bomb-type beers on tap. :( ). So let's mark our calendars for the 2nd Tuesday of the 2nd week next March, lol....Sounds like a plan!

Passes 8-1. McAtee was the lone 'no'.

He seemed to me like he really wasn’t interested at all. Odd since he’s obviously the oldest and therefore the most vulnerable.

Always assume the worst, my man. Whatever makes Oklahoma seem the worst.

It's happening in a lot of states that to help the hospital workers they are just sending people home on Oxygen to help the doctors and nursers. I was just wondering if that maybe is something that is happening here?

Passes 8-1. McAtee was the lone 'no'.

Don't worry, that was just the amendments vote to water down the requirements. Still plenty more blazing democracy to go.

He seemed to me like he really wasn’t interested at all. Odd since he’s obviously the oldest and therefore the most vulnerable.

He's retiring; won't run for reelection.

This is how he's been for a while.

He seemed to me like he really wasn’t interested at all. Odd since he’s obviously the oldest and therefore the most vulnerable.

To be fair, he said he was going to vote no yesterday, so if anything, at least he was consistent.

When does it go into effect? I heard where it ends in early Sep.

You guys realize that they haven't voted on the actual ordinance yet, right?

You guys realize that they haven't voted on the actual ordinance yet, right?

Yes, my bad. That vote was just on the fines.

Ordinance passes 7-2.

I did not. I saw the vote on the amendment and when it went to public comment I tuned out.

Emergency proclamation passes 7 -2.

I dunno.

City government can be annoying.

Based on those 7 votes, the ordinance is effective immediately.

Interesting that Stone got his no vote on the ordinance, but then yes on the emergency proclamation.

Masks required in indoor public places in Oklahoma City
Post Date:07/17/2020 6:14 PM
The City Council voted in a special meeting Friday to approve an emergency public safety ordinance requiring face coverings in indoor public places throughout Oklahoma City.

The ordinance took effect immediately.

Public health officials say face coverings are key to slowing the spread of COVID-19. Evidence shows there’s a high risk of infected people spreading the virus with their breath if they don’t use a face covering. Evidence also shows infected people can spread the virus even if they don’t have symptoms.

Free signs about the requirements to print for display at local businesses and other public spaces, along with social media graphics and animations, are available on a public shared drive at covid19.okc.gov.

Visit covid19.okc.gov for the latest on the coronavirus in Oklahoma City, including other emergency restrictions in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Face covering requirements
Everyone in Oklahoma City age 11 and up is required to wear a face covering, like a mask or face shield, in indoor public spaces. There are some exceptions.

Public health officials also recommend face coverings for children age 3 and up, although it’s not a requirement in the emergency ordinance.

Face coverings are required only in indoor spaces open to the public, including private property.

The face covering must cover both the nose and mouth. A face shield is an alternative to a cloth face covering or mask. Here are general CDC recommendations about cloth face coverings and masks.

Exceptions to face covering requirements are:

Children age 10 and under, unless required by a school or daycare.
People working in an office who don’t have face-to-face interactions with the public.
Patrons of restaurants, bars and similar establishments while eating or drinking.
People in settings where it isn’t practical or feasible to wear a face covering, like receiving dental services, swimming or playing at a sprayground.
People engaged in sports (including for recreation).
People engaged in cardio exercises. But people should make reasonable efforts to observe social distancing between groups of people from different households.
People inside any federal, state or county building or facility.
People inside a public or private school building or facility, unless required by the school.
People at a religious service or ceremony where social distancing is observed between groups of people from different households.
People with a developmental disability.
People who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.
The requirements expire Sept. 8, unless the Council takes further action.

Enforcement
The ordinance allows for enforcement by the Police Department, or code inspectors from the OKC-County Health Department (OCCHD) and the City’s Development Services Department. The Council prefers enforcement by code inspectors when possible.

When responding to calls for enforcement, inspectors or officers will first offer a mask or an opportunity for the person to leave the public, indoor space.

People who refuse to wear the mask or leave would be subject to a fine of $9 on a conviction for a first or second offense. The fine would rise to a maximum of $100 for third and subsequent offenses.

People with a medical condition preventing them from safely wearing a mask can produce a document from their physician confirming that information, and will not be subject to a conviction and fine.

Frequently asked questions
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the requirements.

Q: Who is required to wear a face covering, and in what situations?
A: Everyone in Oklahoma City age 11 and over is subject to the requirements when inside most buildings accessible to the public. There are narrow exceptions. Public health officials recommend children age 3 and up should also wear face coverings, but that is not required by the emergency ordinance.

Q: Why are face coverings required?
A: Public health officials say face coverings are key to slowing the spread of COVID-19. Evidence shows there’s a high risk of infected people spreading the virus with their breath if they don’t wear a face covering. Evidence also shows infected people can spread the virus even if they don’t have symptoms. You protect others by wearing a mask, and others protect you by wearing theirs.

Q: What kind of face covering is required?
A: It must cover your nose and mouth. A face shield is an alternative to a cloth face covering or mask.

Here are some general CDC recommendations about cloth face coverings and masks:

It should cover your nose and mouth.
It should be secured under your chin, and fit snugly against the side of your face.
Make sure you can breathe easily.
Wash cloth masks after using them. Read more here.
Read more here about how to wear a mask.
Read more here about how to make a mask at home.
Q: Are face coverings required for children and staff at schools and day cares?
A: It’s at the discretion of the school or daycare operator. Public health officials recommend face coverings in public settings for anyone age 3 and up.

Q: Are face coverings required for people inside office buildings, warehouses and other workplaces closed to the public?
A: No, if it’s closed to the public. But public health officials recommend wearing face coverings when in shared spaces inside those buildings, including all shared work spaces, hallways, bathrooms, conference rooms, elevators, stairwells and similar locations.

Q: Are face coverings required outdoors?
A: No. But public health officials recommend wearing face coverings outdoors in public settings for anyone age 3 and up.

Q: Are face coverings required for people at restaurants, bars and similar places?
A: Yes, except for when eating or drinking.

Q: Are face coverings required for people in parks, trails and similar outdoor spaces?
A: No. But public health officials recommend face coverings in public settings for anyone age 3 and up.

Q: Are face coverings required for walking in neighborhoods, or playing sports?
A: No. But public health officials recommend face coverings in public settings for anyone age 3 and up.

Q: I have a health condition that makes it unsafe for me to wear a face covering, but businesses are refusing to grant me access. What can I do?
A: Businesses are allowed to deny entry and refuse service.

Q: Can I carry a gun while wearing a face covering?
A: There’s no restriction related to wearing a face covering while carrying a gun.

Interesting that Stone got his no vote on the ordinance, but then yes on the emergency proclamation.

i was confused by that? Why? What purpose does it serve

Votes.

Ordinace passed 6-3; emergency enactment was 7-2 with Stone flipping on the latter:

On the ordinance / on the emergency:
COOPER Y / Y
GREENWELL Y / Y
GREINER N / N
HAMON Y / Y
HOLT Y / Y
MCATEE N / N
NICE Y / Y
STONE N / Y
STONECIPHER Y / Y

I’m not sure why Stone flipped on the emergency vote, but I won’t complain.

Nm

Votes.

Ordinace passed 6-3; emergency enactment was 7-2 with Stone flipping on the latter:

On the ordinance / on the emergency:
COOPER Y / Y
GREENWELL Y / Y
GREINER N / N
HAMON Y / Y
HOLT Y / Y
MCATEE N / N
NICE Y / Y
STONE N / Y
STONECIPHER Y / Y

Thank you for the breakdown, I'll be emailing all of them to thank and excoriate...

Here's a good article and tweet thread on how to talk to anti-maskers without shaming them (which is more effective).

Article: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/06/dudes-who-wont-wear-masks/613375/

Tweet thread: https://twitter.com/JuliaLMarcus/status/1284203364818079744?s=20

i was confused by that? Why? What purpose does it serve

It means he knows it is necessary but now he can pander to the folks who opposed it.

Glad they passed it but they sure watered it down to almost nothing sometime after I quit listening. They went from initial proposal of $50 fine plus $30 in state mandated costs for first offense to $10 plus $30 to $9 in the final approved ordinance. I understand if the fine is $10 or more the state requires $30 in costs.

Second offense went from $250 plus costs, to $125 plus costs and then somehow also ended up at $9?

Glad they passed it but they sure watered it down to almost nothing sometime after I quit listening. They went from initial proposal of $50 fine plus $30 in state mandated costs for first offense to $10 plus $30 to $9 in the final approved ordinance. I understand if the fine is $10 or more the state requires $30 in costs.

Second offense went from $250 plus costs, to $125 plus costs and then somehow also ended up at $9?

Pathetic. I'll still be calling 911 if I see people without one in the places they're required.

Pathetic. I'll still be calling 911 if I see people without one in the places they're required.

That won't be too many places. The exemptions are as long as my arm, almost as long as Gov. Stitt's essential businesses list.

That won't be too many places. The exemptions are as long as my arm, almost as long as Gov. Stitt's essential businesses list.

Go to a Braums Market you will see it trust me. They get away with murder cause they are half grocery half food. Social Distancing not happen at the one my friends work at. Tables not block off people crowed elbow to elbow waiting on the number to be called to come pick up the food. SMH

16265

This is basically what Texas did. It sucks that it wasn't statewide, but OKC doing this, I feel will start a domino effect around the metro. Not a huge fan of churches not being mandate, but beggars can't be choosers here in Oklahoma.

I honestly don’t know if more people will wear a mask now. But. God I hope they do.

I do think if a majority of people do, the cases will go down.

Go to a Braums Market you will see it trust me. They get away with murder cause they are half grocery half food. Social Distancing not happen at the one my friends work at. Tables not block off people crowed elbow to elbow waiting on the number to be called to come pick up the food. SMH

Under the new ordinance, everyone in the store should be wearing a mask except "while eating or drinking", under age 11, or if they fall under one of the other exceptions. I'm not going in a restaurant anyway. I might use the Braums drive through since they have started handing market items through the drive through window. Haven't yet, but have thought about it.

Go to a Braums Market you will see it trust me. They get away with murder cause they are half grocery half food. Social Distancing not happen at the one my friends work at. Tables not block off people crowed elbow to elbow waiting on the number to be called to come pick up the food. SMH

I think you misunderstood my comment. I'm saying there won't be too many places to call 911 on because they will say they are exempt. Anyone eating at Braums is exempt because they are "dining". Frankly, anyone who can get their heartrate above 120BPM can say they are currently engaged in "cardio" and be exempt.
It's so watered down it's sinking.

After this whole ordeal my family is thinking about moving on to another state. I've never seen such hatred and foaming at the mouth here before.

I had a thought about a week ago.

You know, if I work to make a lot of money and travel why not up and move to a place that I like and everywhere I'd want to travel is nearby or if not cheaper? Of course with the places that'll the US citizens that significantly lowers my choices.

Getting out of OK might not be enough for me.

I think you misunderstood my comment. I'm saying there won't be too many places to call 911 on because they will say they are exempt. Anyone eating at Braums is exempt because they are "dining". Frankly, anyone who can get their heartrate above 120BPM can say they are currently engaged in "cardio" and be exempt.
It's so watered down it's sinking.

I get what you are saying, but it does not exempt while in a restaurant or bar, or " dining." It exempts "while eating or drinking" in a restaurant or bar. That does not include sitting in the foyer waiting for a table, when picking up food at the counter, going to the bathroom or coming in and out of the store for that matter, unless they are eating and drinking at the same time.

Here's a good article and tweet thread on how to talk to anti-maskers without shaming them (which is more effective).

Article: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/06/dudes-who-wont-wear-masks/613375/

Tweet thread: https://twitter.com/JuliaLMarcus/status/1284203364818079744?s=20

Um, no, I'm not going to stand there and try to empathize with someone who, more than likely, endorses Toxic Masculinity like that ***hole baseball player does, talking to them while they're unmasked and trying to get them to understand that states and other municipalities have emergency powers to mandate public health measures that are backed by science *and* are constitutional. Some of the tweets in response basically said "A lot of anti-maskers aren't rational, logical, and don't listen, they just rant about their supposed rights that are being infringed on" - I didn't watch the council meeting, but do you think any of the anti-maskers there would be amenable to listening to empathetic reasoning? That idiot baseball player says the grocery store workers looked run-down and beat-down, and they are - they're working for magnitudes less than his $10 million annual salary (in 2013, don't know how much he's worth or making now), most likely don't have a choice whether or not to report to work, and are literally on the front lines and could contract COVID-19 and have horrible things (including death) happen to them at any time.

The article and Twitter thread really didn't have any concrete suggestions on what to say to an anti-masker, except the analogy between wearing masks and drunk driving laws, so what *is* suggested if I wanted to empathize with an anti-masker (which I probably won't be doing, see above)? From the article and thread, it sounds like organizations and governments need to do the heavy lifting and make masks available and explain why they need to wear them (condom analogy for HIV), not the average citizen. Oh wait, I forgot who our "leaders" are, nevermind...

Being in Ward 1 my council member was one of the two no votes. I’ve already emailed that I will not only not vote for him again but will actively support any opponent that runs against him. This is by far the biggest imaginable issue a council member could face and he FAILED!!
And as I’ve said before I’m very a-political. I’ve never taken a political stand before but this is serious **** and those who don’t take it seriously need to go!!!

I had a thought about a week ago.

You know, if I work to make a lot of money and travel why not up and move to a place that I like and everywhere I'd want to travel is nearby or if not cheaper? Of course with the places that'll the US citizens that significantly lowers my choices.

Getting out of OK might not be enough for me.

I understand and empathize with this impulse. The state desperately needs smart young persons to stay but I fear many will head for greener pastures and it will be the 1980s all over again.

The reference to my family member is anything but myth. Neither are Dr. Fauci's comments from this week. They are only now beginning to understand the damage this does to young people. No reason to be so snippy.

To be fair, you’ve been Snippy in this thread for the better part of 5 months.

So I’m honestly a bit surprised you weren’t expecting some Snippiness in return?

Under the new ordinance, everyone in the store should be wearing a mask except "while eating or drinking", under age 11, or if they fall under one of the other exceptions. I'm not going in a restaurant anyway. I might use the Braums drive through since they have started handing market items through the drive through window. Haven't yet, but have thought about it.

They have been working on years getting online ordering with pick up going. I think a few stores might be testing it now. It's been in the works for years but for some reason they been dragging their feet. Probably how they will staff it. Let's face it they are so understaffed as it is. Go into the Market at night and you have to wait 5 minutes for someone to come check you out. How is it going to work if they do have a market person and he is out loading orders into a car. How long will you have to wait then?

Here's a good article and tweet thread on how to talk to anti-maskers without shaming them (which is more effective).

Article: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/06/dudes-who-wont-wear-masks/613375/

Tweet thread: https://twitter.com/JuliaLMarcus/status/1284203364818079744?s=20

This is good. Thank you Dan.

This is basically what Texas did. It sucks that it wasn't statewide, but OKC doing this, I feel will start a domino effect around the metro. Not a huge fan of churches not being mandate, but beggars can't be choosers here in Oklahoma.

The state shouldn't regulate religion.

Requiring masks for religious services isn’t remotely regulating religion.

I did actually find something useful in the Twitter thread Dan posted. :D

16266

Requiring masks for religious services isn’t remotely regulating religion.

It would admittedly be a close question under the State’s RFRA, especially post Hobby-Lobby.

I can see why the Council side-stepped the issue.

Much smarter to take the obvious W’s.

Requiring masks for religious services isn’t remotely regulating religion.

Indeed! No more than not smoking on Church property.

I thought this was interesting.

https://news.yahoo.com/scientists-identify-six-different-types-185531392.html

Pathetic. I'll still be calling 911 if I see people without one in the places they're required.

A new member to the Brown Shirts, calling the cops is always a better solution...

A coworker of mine had her mother end up in the hospital in Chickasha this week, for an injury that was bad enough she needed the ICU (i.e. non-COVID-related). She ended up needing more advanced care than Chickasha was able to provide, but none of the hospitals in OKC or Norman would accept the transfer. She ended up being sent to Lawton instead. Even that was kind of touch-and-go for a while and there had been talk of Wichita Falls being the backup plan.

Things are getting scary.

Noticed for the last 4-5 weeks or so they were having organized Flag Football/Kickball leagues on some evenings @ Lake Hefner/Dog park area. Will this still be allowed?

To be fair, he said he was going to vote no yesterday, so if anything, at least he was consistent.

McAtee is, unfortunately, my councilman. I am so ready for that fossil to retire. I have been in multiple meetings with him and constituents, and he does not listen to anyone about anything. I’m sure he was probably better in the past but he is like talking to a brick wall now. Sayonara, Larry!

Requiring masks for religious services isn’t remotely regulating religion.

You are wrong.

You are wrong.

No, he's not. It's not altering the content of the service nor changing the free exercise of religion. The first amendment does not provide places of worship with immunity from any civil ordinance or law. They still have to deal with fire codes, building codes and public health codes.

No, he's not. It's not altering the content of the service nor changing the free exercise of religion. The first amendment does not provide places of worship with immunity from any civil ordinance or law. They still have to deal with fire codes, building codes and public health codes.

There are rituals in certain religions that can not be accomplished if you wear a mask or social distance. It required the worshipers to break secular law.

There is a difference between the free exercise of religion and building.