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| July 30, 2020 Shelton Mason County Journal |  |
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continued from page A-1
seemingly broke state and feder-
al guidelines on social distancing
designed to prevent the spread of
the coronavirus, with attendees
sitting in tight circles listening to
candidates for six minutes before
moving on to the next circle.
That same day, 10 new cases
of the coronavirus were report-
ed in Mason County.
“I am concerned about (the
size of the crowd and the ap-
parent lack of facial coverings,”
Dr. Daniel Stein, Mason County
Health Officer, wrote in an email
to the Shelton-Mason County
Journal alter seeing photos of
the event. “I will discuss this
with our area command and
consider how we can improve
the safety of these events to help
reduce the spread of COVID-19.”
‘ Under current state guide-
lines, a maximum of 10 people
are allowed to gather.
The annual forum included
candidates for governor, state
attorney general and the state
Legislature. The candidates did
not speak to the entire crowd
from the stage, but instead
talked to small groups.
State Rep. Drew MacEwen
(R-Union), who did wear a face
mask, introduced the event.
“It’s a great day to be a Re-
publican,” he said. “Unlike the
. other side, always moping, al-
ways complaining.”
MacEwen told the crowd he
is tired of the Democrats rul-
ing the state for 30 years, and
urged the defeat of Gov. Jay In-
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Thursday, July 30, 2020 — Shelton-Mason County Journal Page A-11
Forum: Health officer ‘concerned’ with park gathering V
Brett Rogers, who is running for state attorney general, discusses his
stances with attendees
of the candidates forum sponsored by the Mason County Republican Women and
Mason
County Republicans Central Committee on Friday in the City of Shelton’s
Kneeland Park.
Only one person in this photo is wearing a face mask. Journal photo by
Gordon Weeks l
slee, which drew cheers.
In an email, the Journal
asked Shelton City Manager
Jeff Niten said he spoke with
the event’s organizers before-
hand and asked them to ar-
range the event differently
than in previous years.
“The organizers and I agreed
that groups of nine people 'in
stations, approximately 15 feet
from each other, where each
candidate could come and speak
with a group to ensure there
were 10 or fewer people gath-
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ering in close proximity. I also
recommended participants wear
face coverings and maintain ap-
propriate physical distancing.
“My impressions,. from the
reports I received, are that the
organizers did the best job they
could have done. There were an-
nouncements about the appro-
priate procedure to, and several
prior to, and several times dur-
ing the event. During an event of
this type people gravitate to can-
didates that are speaking and
we did ask candidates to request
people not congregate as they
make their rounds. Most, if not
all, candidates did that 'as I was
happy to hear,” he wrote.
Niten added, “We did note that
a majority of attendees weren’t
,wearing masks unfortunately,
we did remind people how impor-
tant they are for public and eco-
nomic health, but outdoor spaces
aren’t nearly as problematic as
indoor spaces assuming physical
distancing is maintained.”
Leslie Peterson, the vice
chair of Mason County Repub-
lican Women, said it is “disap-
pointing” that many attendees
did not wear masks and observe
social distancing alter they were
encouraged to do so. Neverthe-
less, “We thought it was well
attended and appreciated,” she
said, adding that attendees were
glad to be able to hear from the
candidates in person.
Peterson added in an email,
“The guests had the opportuni-
ty to social distance. Due to the
fact that the decree is not a law,
it is up to personal discretion
what they choose to do.”
Shelton Police Chief Darrin
Moody attended the event, but
did not wear a face mask. When
asked by the Journal why he
didn’t, he wrote in an email, “If I
was going to be in close contact
for any length of time, I had my
mask available.”
In the email, Moody wrote,
“‘As the chief, I responded to
reiterate the instructions that
I believe were given to them
regarding their event. While I
was there, I practiced social dis-
tancing and mostly stayed on
the perimeter. I also had them
twice announced the restric-
tions, and then the process of
staying in smaller groups so the
candidates could visit them. I
further instructed the organiz-
ers and armouncers to tell the
candidates how it should be
handled. Then I told the legisla-
tors and state officials, as well
as our local government officials
that were in attendance how to
safely have their smaller meet-
ings. I then left.”
PREVENT
SPREAD?
PLEASE WEAR 'A
MASK PUBLIC.