Masks to be required in courthouse

All persons who enter the Union County courthouse will be required to wear a face mask beginning July 6, the Union County Board of Supervisors decided after meeting with county department heads during the weekly board meeting Tuesday at the courthouse.

Those who enter may wear their own mask or one will be provided at the door. Other requirements such as making appointments for driver’s licensing will not change at this time.

The state of Iowa has mandated masks for Iowa courts, which affects the third floor of the Union County courthouse beginning July 13. The supervisors said it would be most efficient and easiest to enforce if the entire courthouse follows the same rules.

Employees in non-public spaces will not be required to wear masks, for example, in an office or behind a Plexiglas shield, but they must wear them in public areas such as hallways.

Shaun Lauer with building and grounds said signage has been provided and will be in place by Monday,

Clerk of Court Allison Danilovich added the state has supplied some disposable masks so the entire cost of providing them to the public will not rest with the county. Union County Emergency Management Director Jo Duckworth said that masks are now accessible to her office, unlike at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis.

Union County Attorney Tim Kenyon said that those who refuse to wear a mask can be asked to leave. If they do not, they could be charged with trespassing. If the individual escalates the issue and refuses to follow guidance from law enforcement officials, who may be called, those charges could include interference and/or disorderly conduct. Individuals on the third floor who refuse to wear a mask could face a contempt of court citation.

“We can only be more accessible to the public if the public is responsible,” Kenyon said.

Duckworth said Union County currently has 25 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 10 of those patients considered recovered. The Test Iowa site has administered more than 600 tests. Some of those results have not been received yet.

Kenyon added that the number of individuals with positive tests is actually higher due to some who stay in Union County but do not legally reside here.

Kenyon and Duckworth responded to social media concerns that a resident of Union County who tested positive for COVID has not been isolating.

“We don’t have any firm allegations or information at this point,” Kenyon said.

Duckworth said her office has received several calls from concerned citizens.

“Failure to isolate after knowledge” of a positive test is “inappropriate, irresponsible ... and frankly put, stupid,” and could reach the level of being criminal, Kenyon said. His office along with emergency management and public health is following up on the allegations.

“We need to get people’s attention,” Kenyon said, expressing his concern over gatherings during the 4th of July weekend.

Kenyon estimated that one person with the disease could spread it to 100 or more others during the course of the day through their contacts and the contact those people make.

“We don’t have the facilities to handle a hundred positive cases in one day,” he said.