SOL MEDIAN CHE DE
BILINGUAL EDI T ION
OCTOBER 2021 / NO. 40 / ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
FOTOS: CORTESÍA
Pese a Bronson y sus bravucones, los cubrebocas son obligatorios • L a Asamblea de la Municipalidad de Anchorage anula el veto del alcalde a la Ordenanza de Emergencia de Salud Pública que obliga a llevar cubrebocas. • S ave Anchorage ha hecho un llamamiento a la violencia: “no les mostraremos ningún respeto” … “les haremos la vida imposible por lo que han hecho”. ¿Habrá denuncia por amenazas?
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POR CARLOS MATÍAS
ese al irresponsable veto del alcalde republicano, Dave Bronson, y a las amenazas violentas de sus seguidores extremistas y bravucones, los cubrebocas faciales son obligatorios en Anchorage y lo seguirán siendo hasta superar la infección masiva por Covid, que ha llevado al colapso a los hospitales de Alaska. La Ordenanza de Emergencia de Salud Pública aprobada por la Asamblea obliga a llevarlas en espacios públicos, interiores, áreas abiertas o espacios comunes compartidos con personas no convivientes en el mismo hogar, como lugares de trabajo y empresas.
Pese a Dave Bronson, los cubrebocas son obligatorios en Anchorage desde el 12 de octubre y hasta que pase el peligro de infección masiva por Covid. Al día siguiente de la entrada en vigor de la Ordenanza de Emergencia de Salud Pública, aprobada por la Asamblea, el alcalde de la ciudad ha querido vetarla de manera irresponsable y temeraria. Pero en una nueva reunión, el jueves 14 de octubre, la Cámara de los representantes del pueblo de Anchorage ha anulado su veto por mayoría de votos. El uso de los cubrebocas es y será imprescindible e inexcusable en los espacios públicos, en interiores, en áreas abiertas al
Despite Bronson and his supporters, Masks are Mandatory • The Anchorage Assembly overrides the mayor’s veto of the Public Health Emergency Ordinance mandating the wearing of masks. • Save Anchorage has called for violence: “we will show them no respect” ... “we shall give them hell for what they have done”. Will there be charges for these threats?
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BY CARLOS MATÍAS
espite Republican Mayor Dave Bronson’s irresponsible veto and violent threats from his extremist and thuggish supporters, face masks are mandatory in Anchorage and will remain so until the massive Covid infection that has brought Alaska’s hospitals to collapse is overcome. The Public Health Emergency Ordinance passed by the Assembly makes it mandatory to wear them in public spaces, indoors, open areas or common spaces shared with people not living together in the same household, such as workplaces and businesses. Despite Dave Bronson, face masks are mandatory in Anchorage as of Oct. 12 and until the danger of mass Covid infection passes. The day after the Public Health Emergency Ordinance passed by the Assembly went into effect, the city’s mayor has irresponsibly and recklessly wanted to veto it. But at a new meeting on Thursday, October 14, the Anchorage Assembly overrode his veto by a majority vote. The use of face masks is and will be essential and inexcusable in public spaces, indoors, in areas open to the public and in common spaces shared with other people who do not live in the same household. And all, despite the violent and intolerable threats of fanatics and extremist supporters of Bronson, such as the ultra-right wing group Save Anchorage, who have called on their unconditional supporters to use violence against the majority will of the people: “we will not show them any respect” ... “we shall give them hell for what they have done” ...
Mandatory use in businesses The Ordinance dictates that employers “must ensure that employees who are present in the workplace have access to face masks or face shields and wear them when necessary.” The Ordinance will expire “when Anchorage has reached a point of sufficient medical capability; when there is no longer substantial or elevated transmission of the virus in the community, according to the CDC, for 14 consecutive days; or after 60 days without further action by the Assembly.” Businesses, employers and building owners must deny entry to anyone who fails to comply with this Emergency Ordinance while it remains in effect. “Our hospitals and health care system are under tremendous stress right now and this helps reduce that stress,” said Assemblywoman Meg Zaletel, the Ordinance’s sponsor, referring to Alaska’s hospital collapse due to the violent resurgence of the pandemic, which has overwhelmed the state’s doctors and other health care professionals. “The majority of people in our community want to do what is best for the health of our city and we now have clear and reasonable guidelines, shaped by public feedback, that people can follow to keep our community safe.” The Public Health Emergency Ordinance of the Anchorage Municipality Assembly (the highest democratic representative body of the city’s residents) states that “face masks or face coverings should rest comfortably above the nose, below the mouth and on the sides