This online version is an abridged compilation of the printed version of Fort Fairfield Journal, available in stores, now.  Pick up a copy, or subscribe for all the local & national news, FFMHS sports, obituaries, FFPD police log and more.

 

Selected Editorials from the Editor

Suns & Shields Christian Inspirational Writings by Rachelle Hamlin

Selected editorials from Dr. Katherine Albrecht, Ed. D.

_______________________________

The Roberts Trap is Sprung

By:  Bill Dunne
www.americanthinker.com
One of the most overlooked aspects of the year just ended is the vindication of Chief Justice John Roberts -- a vindication that showed up as the national catastrophe known as ObamaCare got rolling.  Roberts may have also doomed Hillary Clinton's chance to live in the White House again... click here to read whole editorial

 

Face Mask Mandate is NOT State Law

 

Most Mainers Don’t Really Understand Governor Mills’ Face Mask Executive Order

 

By:  David Deschesne

Fort Fairfield Journal, May 20, 2020

 

   To walk around in public in Maine, one will find over half of the people both maintaining a social distance of 6 feet or more and wearing a face mask.  Some of them are wearing face masks while walking all alone in a desolate parking lot or driving around in their cars with their windows rolled up.  Some businesses are mandating face masks in their stores even if social distancing is adequately taking place.

   There seems to be a blatant misunderstanding of Governor Mills’ most recent executive order 49FY 19/20.  The paragraph from her Executive Order that mandates face masks reads as follows:

 

V. Cloth Face Coverings

Consistent with guidance from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention individuals must wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

 

   A plain reading of that paragraph says that face masks must be worn in public where social distancing (of 6 feet or more) cannot be done.  So, as long as you’re six feet apart or more, the Executive Order does not mandate the use of a cloth face mask.

   Furthermore, the Executive Order goes on in subparagraph B to allow for an exemption for children under 2 years of age and for anyone who has trouble breathing or related medical conditions, or is unable to remove the mask without assistance.  It also states, “A person who cannot wear a cloth face covering because of a medical condition is not required to produce medical documentation of the condition.”  However, it does allow an employer to require such documentation for employees if so desired.

   According to England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jenny Harries, it is not a good idea for the general public to be forced to wear face masks in perpetuity anyway, because most have not received the proper training in maintenance and cleanliness and the often dirty, reused masks will end up trapping virus particles that will ultimately be breathed back in by the wearer causing a greater viral load than they would have had without the mask.

   However, this whole exercise may be moot.  Governor Mills’ face mask mandate is only an executive order, it is not a State Law since it was never passed by the legislature. 

   According to Black’s Law Dictionary, 7th Ed., an Executive Order is an order issued by the President, [or a State’s Governor] “that is intended to direct or instruct the actions of executive agencies or government officials, or to set policies for the executive branch to follow.” 

   In Maine, that means executive orders apply to employees of the Maine State Police, Warden’s Service, DHHS, Bureau of Motor Vehicles and other agencies that fall under the control of the Governor’s office (the Executive branch).  In this respect, members of the general public, Sheriff Deputies and others who are not part of the Executive Department of Maine State government, or receive some privilege from it, are not beholden to those executive orders.  Businesses who do receive some sort of grant or license from the State usually will have to follow an executive order or stand the chance of losing that license or privilege to do business.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click for Fort Fairfield, Maine Forecast 

______________________________

 

Town and Country Advertising, from Scottsdale, Arizona is selling special events and holiday advertising packages in Fort Fairfield Journal.  To be included in these special feature ads, call 1-800-342-5299 or

e-mail: tgcorp@cox.net 

__________________________