To the Editor:
The front page of the Friday, July 17, issue of the newspaper was a beautiful example of irony.
The banner shows over 10 members of the Belton Chamber of Commerce meeting at Belton Hy-Vee on July 14th with no masks, no social distancing, and several members who look to be in the “high-risk” category for the COVID-19 disease.
The lead article directly below the banner details the exponential rise of the COVID-19 virus cases in Cass County and the response of several Belton merchants, including requiring masks in their stores. Obviously, Hy-Vee does not require customer masks (at least on July 14th) despite recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Police Chief Person, and the Cass County Health Department. Also, apparently no one at this Chamber meeting takes the virus seriously.
At the Belton city council meeting on July 14th Chief Person supported controls for containing the virus, and stressed the need for education, including businesses educating the public. Do you think the Chamber of Commerce is prepared to start this education?
Rob and Pam Powell
Belton