KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Kalamazoo County Board has rejected a motion by Republicans to rescind the Health Department’s mask mandate in the schools, but not before they heard two hours of public comment on the issue. Opponents of the mandate repeated a number of arguments they have made before, but there were many who argued in support of the mandate.
A frustrated Board Chair Tracy Hall blasted citizens who claimed they weren’t listening to the public and called them “dictators”.
“We’ve heard the public comment, so many people from the public on both sides and in-between on the issue. This is not Nazi Germany. Shame on anybody for making that comparison. I’m not going to stand for it. I’m going to call it out.”
Commissioner Fran Bruder Melgar spoke as a physician and as a parent who has lost a child, supporting masks and refuting the claims of parents who have been pummeling the board with misinformation and threats.
“I am willing to accept the hate, anger, judgement and finger-pointing if I believe that my decision will save a child.”
The board majority has consistently supported the mask mandate and did again last night voting 6 to 3 to reject rescinding the health order.
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