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Local businesses response to city's request for public to help fight spread of COVID

Posted at 7:30 PM, Oct 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-28 12:39:17-04

TWIN FALLS — Last week, the Twin Falls city council had decided against an ordinance or mandate of any sort but still asked the public's help to try and stop the spread of COVID-19 by taking safety protocols more seriously, specifically mask-wearing. Now, local businesses in the area are looking to do their part to comply with the city's request.

As case numbers continue to rise, many businesses are aware of how critical the situation is.

"It just kind of puts us back on our toes a little bit. We all kind of were getting comfortable with thinking we were going to get back, and I use air quotes, to normal again," said Kindsey Taylor, owner of Brass Monkey. "But definitely, it's kind of like, we feel that as business owners, we take three steps forward one step back."

While there is a concern, especially since the holiday season is crucial to many local establishments, not all businesses are enforcing strict policies for patrons. Brass Monkey is encouraging social distancing and has hand sanitizer available. When it comes to masking, the store allows customers to choose whether or not they wear a mask.

"We are firm believers of choice, and if a customer walks in, they'll ask, 'Do I need to wear this?' and I say, it's completely up to you. It's whenever they feel safe," said Taylor.

Susan Hall and her husband of Susan's Antiques and Collectibles both had COVID-19 and have decided to take a more direct approach by requiring customers to wear a mask upon entry. They are also encouraging social distancing and have hand sanitizer readily available.

"It's not going to hurt anything, and if in a year they find out this did no good, oh well, we tried. You know, I don't feel like it's a form of control. To me, it's a form of human decency. If this is going to help at all, even if it's just a tiny bit, I'm more than willing to pitch in and help."

Hall is also one of the main organizers of the popular downtown, Main Avenue Halloween Trick or Treating event where multiple businesses line the street to give children candy. Now that the city has requested people to be safer, and Governor Little moved the state back into a revised stage three, Susan felt it was safest to cancel the event.

"I didn't want to cancel this. I really don't want to cancel this. But with the 25% mandate, I just don't know how it's feasible to follow the guidelines and be a good citizen and comply with the rules," said Hall.