RO extends emergency declaration order into June

RED OAK – An Ellis County deputy in uniform recently entered the RaceTrac gas station in Red Oak without a mask.

He did not think he needed to have the mask on, since the order to wear a mask was not mandatory based on Texas Governor Abbott’s latest executive orders.

That and the fact there are questions by many citizens about whether mandatory mask donning is even constitutional.

Nevertheless, the deputy was told he could not enter the gas station, and had to return to his vehicle to retrieve his mask.

There is a difference between being safe and being smart.

Apparently, the worker at RaceTrac took neither of these into consideration.

To date, the City of Red Oak has extended its state of emergency order into June.

On May 11, Red Oak Mayor Mark Stanfill signed another order extending and amending that city’s state of emergency because of COVID-19.

Stanfill first signed the declaration on March 13 with an order for restrictions on community gatherings and assemblies.

On April 13, that order was amended to May 11.

Last week, the May 11 order was extended to June 8.

That order read, “the virus continues to necessitate an extensive and prompt public safety response.”

It also said the mayoral declaration may also need to be extended or modified to continue to protect the general public.

No mention was made of the general public having the opportunity to make its own decisions using common sense to protect itself.

Red Oak City Manager Todd Fuller said, “The latest declaration and order was approved by city council on May 11 in order to keep city regulations and state regulations consistent.

“It basically supports and reinforces the governor’s orders, and recommends that all persons should wear face coverings, continue social distancing practices and follow guidelines provided by the CDC and the Texas Department of State Health Service.

“It provides that businesses shall be allowed to re-open consistent with the governor’s plan to re-open Texas in compliance with his requirements.

“It was extended until the next regular city council meeting on June 8, and will remain consistent with the governor’s orders until that time.”

Governor Abbott has already issued his own set of orders in which the state is re-opening in phases. The governor amended his order May 5.

According to the City of Red Oak’s resolution, Ellis County overall – through the commissioner’s court – has issued an order of continuance of declaration of local disaster for public health emergency that affirmed the activation of the Ellis County Emergency Management Plan and extended the declaration of local disaster until June 8 as well.

Stanfill’s resolution in Red Oak follows the overall county order in this regard.

An announcement on April 29 by Stanfill read in part, “Good citizens of Red Oak and surrounding areas, Governor Abbott’s executive orders go into effect Friday at 12:01 a.m.

“At that time, his orders will supersede any of the City of Red Oak’s orders that may be more restrictive to any essential or reopened service.

“Once that happens, we will not be enforcing the requirement to wear masks, but until that time, our local orders are still enforceable.

“Even after the governor’s order supersedes ours, I still strongly urge you to follow CDC guidelines which recommend the use of face coverings.”

Apparently, the RaceTrac clerk did not get the memo.

And with cities around the county and state making their own orders – that may or may not parallel with Governor Abbott’s – there are many residents around the area who also continue to be confused about what can and can’t be done during this pandemic. A pandemic that has taken public officials into a realm of decision making that may or may not have repercussions in the next elections based on their willingness to consider safety alongside constitutional rights.

The following services and activities may open under Phase II

May 18: Child Care Centers, Massage and Personal-Care Centers, Youth Clubs

May 22: Rodeo and Equestrian Events, Bowling Alleys, Bingo Halls, Simulcast Racing, and Skating Rinks, Bars, Aquariums and Natural Caverns

May 29: Zoos

May 31: Day Youth Camps, Overnight Youth Camps, Youth Sports, Certain professional sports without in-person spectators