Unknown Speaker
Hello everybody, welcome to Facebook Live on Wi Fi you This is a special ask the mayor we do every month with john Hamilton. But normally we don't do these live. We've been doing them live the last few months due to the corona virus and the social justice and racism and it just seems like we've gotten a good audience. So we're going to do it again this month. We do Jim Lind up from Terra from Columbus the first week, Duke Bennett from Terre Haute the second week, john Hamilton this week, and then we joined dex Norton down in Nashville. He's the municipal consultant for Nashville on the fourth week of the month. So as always, Mr. Mayor, thank you very much for having us today.
Unknown Speaker
Yo, it's nice to be with you and with anybody else connecting live. Good to see you.
Unknown Speaker
So just about a week ago, you condemn three racially motivated incidents, you know, and you said, each of us must do our part to assure justice for those harm. Let's just start with what kind of came out yesterday and then The attorneys for the white men who are accused of attacking Vox Booker and assuming you know, you saw the report and everyone else Didn't they call it a false narrative accusing Booker of the agitator. How as Mayor now do you respond to the other side of the story coming out?
Unknown Speaker
Well, Joe, I don't think it's surprising that in what I expect will be criminal case and probably civil litigation to eventually that there's going to be some back and forth and disputing I guess I would emphasize a couple things. One, we know and I know I saw the just awful racial epithets and and physical attacks that happened near Lake Monroe. And those were a gut punch to me to see the video of that of one of my residents going through that. So I know that that happened there. The second thing I know and maybe this is most important, is that racism is very real, that structural racism persists in my community and across our country and that racism is real among us too. And that's kind of the key point is to remind us all the work we have still to do, to remedy structural racism that's present in our criminal justice system in our education system, our health care system, our our housing system and economic system, all that needing attention as we also continue to try to bring justice in individual instances.
Unknown Speaker
I wanted to ask just about your relationship with Booker, because my first instance was when he brought a megaphone to the State of the City address, whereas a few years ago to protest the lenco Bearcat, how has your relationship with Booker evolved to now?
Unknown Speaker
Well, you know, the The important thing is Vox Booker lives in Bloomington. He's a resident of my community and anytime a resident of my community is Subject to inappropriate treatment or violence. I care deeply. It's true that Vox Booker and I have have crossed paths. We haven't always agreed on every municipal policy. But none of my residents agree on all municipal policies. And the key point here is, Mr. Booker was terribly attacked on the weekend of July 4, and I want to be sure that like I will for every resident of mine, that they get justice. And I think it would be relevant to say, I've been on a number of media appearances in the last 10 days, Mr. Booker himself would urge don't just focus on what happened to me, let's talk about racism and what it means. And that was, the racism was so evident in that tape. It's it's hard not to feel nauseated, but also I hope motivated to do some things about it.
Unknown Speaker
And that was something you and Others state senator also asking the governor and others to to make changes in the way the DNR responds to incidents is are you happy with the response? You're getting back from that?
Unknown Speaker
I'd say it's too early to tell. Look, police organizations, law enforcement organizations, of course, before this event and this weekend have been under a lot of scrutiny and questioning and that's very appropriate from our Bloomington police department and what we do and we believe in transparency and accountability to the Conservation Officers of the Department of Natural Resources to Sheriff department. And, you know, I've been in contact with a number of these law enforcement folks and the governor to urge that we do have transparency and accountability in this making sure that any questions get answered and that we do look going forward. Reviewing the procedures and processes, that that govern is critically important, something we believe in in Bloomington and it needs to be consistent throughout our community and country.
Unknown Speaker
And just really quick, you don't have any timeline of the prosecution or that the prosecutor tends to wrap up investigations. That's not something that you're briefed on. Right?
Unknown Speaker
Well, I'm in regular touch with our county prosecutor Eric Oliphant. It's It's her decision. Once she gets the the case, if you will, the investigation from the state officials. She will decide and I think she will decide quite expeditiously about charges to be filed. It's already been 10 days. And I know she's she's urging that the state investigation be done as all of us are as expeditiously as it can be. It's frustrating to have to wait for the wheels of justice to turn. I'm confident they will turn and Erica will move quickly. Our prosecutor when she gets the case, finally, from the state
Unknown Speaker
I want a little follow up to on the racial profiling as a former basketball player in Bloomington, from a Lawrence County Sheriff though I believe he lives in Bloomington, who says he did nothing wrong and what there's what I guess that some of what our reporting was that they're saying the call to the police station, or to the police officer was where the racial profiling was. So is it still racial profiling for that officer?
Unknown Speaker
This happened just outside of the city limits of Bloomington. So it wasn't in our jurisdiction. Yes, it is racial profiling, filing. If a law enforcement officer receives a report from one citizen and proceeds in ways that they would they would or would not, should not do. If they were more sensitive to these issues. I spoke to the Lawrence County Sheriff and we have a different view of this. I said I don't want you to do that anymore. city he, he did it just outside the city limits but if if an off duty officer and look on off duty officers are and they have jurisdiction, wherever they are, if there's an emergency and they get asked to help, of course they're going to step in and help as a trained law enforcement officer. But just this was not an emergency. This was a one individual thing. I saw this person looking into cars. Look, I believe we have to have better judgment from our law enforcement professionals than to step in to young African American man walking peaceably down the street, and cause that kind of event. I I've spoken to Mr. Davis, his father, de Davis, I've reached out to and I haven't yet spoken to him. And you know, those of you who saw the video de Davis was incredibly de escalating and, and calm and responsive in that video. He he doesn't have to be he's a person walking down the street. And he de escalated it, which is, which is good. And we are appreciative of that. But he shouldn't have to de escalate that. So that's an example of a misjudgment, in my view by the law enforcement officer that did that can constitute racial profiling.
Unknown Speaker
Let's touch upon the farmers market Marsha evelopment is leaving. She was the, I guess, director or coordinator of the farmers market. What led her to leave her position?
Unknown Speaker
Well, you'll have to ask Marsha directly about that Marsha was the kind of the the master of the market for many, many years. I'm really sorry to see her retire, retire. I haven't spoken directly with her. But no doubt the stress of the market over the last two seasons has been very difficult for those involved in it, from Marsha to her colleagues and the parks department as well as the parks board and others. So, I do want to thank Marcia, she helped create the state's best farmers market and many award winning seasons and serving our community very, very well. It's obviously we're going through some evolution at the market, as the community has responded and others and I certainly wish Marsha All the best. She's a. She's an outstanding public servant who was so committed to listening to everyone and responding to everyone with a big heart and a good judgment about what we can and can't do in a public market like that.
Unknown Speaker
Did it surprise you that she left?
Unknown Speaker
I was disappointed Marcia has given so much to the market. I would say I didn't I didn't know she was going to leave but Marcia has spent a lot of time and I guess she chose it was her time to to walk away from the market. And again, I wish her all the best. She's given so much to this city. as a whole and the market in particular,
Unknown Speaker
you know, there's not what third market will read that open this past weekend. And there's an interesting letter from another market people's tuple to read, expressing concerns that Hillary has not made a statement on how it stands against white supremacy. What do you think is an independent market? What kind of responsibility do they have in fighting racism?
Unknown Speaker
Well, we all have responsibility in fighting racism. I mean, that's the short answer to that is it's this is a this is a legacy in our country, in our community, that we all have a personal and direct obligation to address we all need to be anti racist. Let's be clear about that. different institutions are going to respond in different ways. And I'm not going to I'm not going to suggest how each institution or person should but I do believe we all have a responsibility to speak out against racism and to be anti racist. I certainly do that and feel I should do that. As mayor, we've done that consistently since I've been mayor. And I'll continue to do that. And each of us needs to look inside and speak and rise to the occasion to help us overcome this legacy.
Unknown Speaker
But I think a lot of people are some people that are watching this may be saying, I want to ask you then why was the farmers market so controversial? and How come? And I already know your answer, because we've asked you this many times. But you know, it's that $500,000 question, why, as a white supremacist still able to be there at the market?
Unknown Speaker
Well, in a way, that's a simple question, but in a way, it's a very complicated question that the simple question is that under the Constitution of the United States, I can't punish people for what they believe that's a really important concept in our country and I swear an oath to the constitution and I take it really seriously. I cannot punish people for odious beliefs. I can speak up and I have consistently and regularly to say, that's a hateful and odious ideology that has no place in our community and I want to do all I can to help us overcome it. Because the complicated part of that question is asking why is a racist at the farmers market racism and racists are everywhere. All of us have inherent biases we all need to work on that whether we want to call that a race races being racist or not. Racism is everywhere. It's it's in the soil of our country and it's in the blood of our of all of us that the history and legacies of racism so asking how do we get rid of racist in this or that place is a very complicated and challenging question. It's a it's a big one that's that's sent 20 million people to the streets in our country over the last few weeks. Committed to digging into that Question but let's not pretend that's a simple one to answer. We have a lot of work to do in all the areas that we still as a country are not. We haven't solved our racist past.
Unknown Speaker
All right, we're about halfway through our time. So let's move on to COVID-19. The Coronavirus you know, big test coming up with public schools and of course, thousands of students coming back to Bloomington cases going up, although deaths have gone down, but are starting to creep up some. So we're getting a lot of questions in the newsroom. Are we going to be safe this August?
Unknown Speaker
Well, that's a good question. We need to do all we can to protect safety. We, you know, Monroe County is still in a good spot. We've done good work together as a community since March, to really try to limit the spread of the disease and flatten the curve. And we've done we've had some good results as you indicate. There are some Recent bumps in the curves going the wrong direction, particularly for 20 to 29 year olds, kind of that young contingent. I've been a vocal advocate for mandatory masks for some weeks. And for stricter restrictions, as we see two things. One, we know 10s of thousands of students are going to be coming back to our community from all over the country, to we've seen around the country, the the real risk of resurgence. So I've been an advocate and I expect, Joe that we will see in the next week or so, some substantial orders coming from county health that will apply to the whole county that will help us to keep people safe. I've always been ready to do this as a city if the county doesn't move, but I really think it's better if we have a county wide approach. And I'm confident that that's coming quite shortly.
Unknown Speaker
And I believe you're talking about the mandatory mask ordinance.
Unknown Speaker
I expect we're going to see three things. In some, I don't know the exact specifics, we're still talking about those. But yes, a requirement for mask wearing in most circumstances for most of us, we know that really helps second, tighter controls over commercial establishments where you might have a lot of people indoors close together that can particularly think about bars, where you can have real tight packing or a super spread or event. And then the third area I think we're gonna probably see some work on is social gatherings. Because those two we now know are really a source where the virus can can erupt and move quickly. And we really need to stop that, particularly for the next three months. We, we don't want to have to move dramatically backwards over the next three or four months and there's there's real risk of that as we've seen across the country. So can I can I just add to Joe it doesn't need to be this way. We've seen stories around the world where countries did better, had better controls, better testing, more consistent messaging that got them through this virus much better than we have. It's been a shortfall of failure of national government national leadership. States have tried to pick it up, but they vary too much. And we now the United States is a poster child for how not to deal with the corona virus pandemic.
Unknown Speaker
I think one of the questions is about mandatory masks aren't mandatory if no one is enforcing the rules, other cities have these and you know, we're also seeing some of those videos that go viral of someone trying to enforce a map. How does How will Monroe County Bloomington enforce that?
Unknown Speaker
Well, let's be realistic. What we're trying to do with all of these is his play the the averages is trying to reduce the risk of major brakes, nothing, no system is going to be perfect. But it is absolutely clear there are 21 or more states that have mandatory mass orders in place. They really make a difference compliance goes way up. Will there be issues of compliance? Sure, there will be but, but most of the issues of compliance will be handled in establishments in a in a business at a drugstore in a restaurant or at a gym or other places where the owners of those establishments will need to assure that people comply. We're not going to have roving bands of masked checkers running through the parks. But the point is to drum is to significantly increase the percentage of us wearing masks in so many places. And I know our people have shown interest in doing this and doing it well. If there are individuals who refuse then law enforcement enforcement mechanisms can respond to that. But the evidence around the country is that when these are put in place, these mask orders The vast majority of us want to comply and want to help protect public safety.
Unknown Speaker
And what about all the people that are so against wearing a mask I just read this morning in Evansville about people protesting a maskless protest outside of City Hall, before a decision was made on a mask, a mandatory mask what what's this force against wearing a mask?
Unknown Speaker
Look, I think all I can say is that as public officials, and then as community members, we need to follow the science and try to do the right thing to protect each other. There can be individuals who choose for various reasons not to do so. And we'll have to respond to that as a community. But I think the overall evidence and the overall inclination of our people is that if we if we indicate this is really important for our public health, we know now masks dramatically help reducing the spread. So that's what we're going to do locally and you need to be part of that solution. It's not political. It's not personal. It's based on Health and Science and that's where we'll stay keep focused.
Unknown Speaker
quick follow up on that if people don't have access to masks is there somewhere they can go? And this is even fruit in general to to go get a mask?
Unknown Speaker
Yes, any mandatory mask quarter will the general expectation is that people will supply their own masks. So that's what we're we're hoping for and expecting but for those who can't or have difficulty obtaining masks, we've had 10s of thousands of masks produced by volunteers. We have stores of the personal protective equipment like mass that we can make available for folks and we'll want to make will help people comply who have trouble comply.
Unknown Speaker
We have a few questions of people sent in course it's asked the mayor so let's start with Cindy. She says we are planning a trip to drive to Brownsburg, Indiana at the end of July coming from Colorado coming through Bloomington. Is it safe is it safe to start? at a hotel.
Unknown Speaker
Well, I Good luck on your trip. that's a that's a long travel. Yes, I think it's generally safe to take precautions. It depends what your own risk factors are, of course, as an individual, if you're if you have risk factors, you need to be particularly careful that I would ask the hotels, what kind of protocols they have. I think it's always good as a customer and a health consumer these days to ask institutions like hotel, what's your protocol? How do you clean How do you handle? Do you assume everybody has the virus and do you have masks when you're people coming in and out of the elevators and that kind of thing, but but I think with prudent care, you know, people are traveling again, but you have to be very careful. I mean, I wouldn't I wouldn't do it willy nilly, just just for the heck of it. But there are certainly ways to protect yourself.
Unknown Speaker
You kind of touched on this. This email is concerned about IU students returning Cova dangerous they bring with them But the question is Can our healthcare system handle that influx of the IU students returning?
Unknown Speaker
Well, all we're doing is to try to help make sure that is the case. We certainly had all those students here in March when the outbreak started and our health system helped manage it. Of course, some of them did leave. It is important. IU has announced that they're going to require every returning student have a negative COVID test in the in the days before they come back. And that will help identify those that immediate who bring an immediate threat but I think we can expect we'll see more cases. In the in the days and weeks when students are back in one. That's one of the reasons we don't want to have super spreader events that we're able to manage and control what will will certainly be some disease COVID-19. Here, our healthcare system is is well positioned and they're very careful to try to make sure we have the resources of beds, equipment ventilators, if needed Seeing and testing that we need we, we don't have the testing we need let's be clear about that. We're way behind on that. But in terms of hospital beds, I think the medical profession works really hard to make sure we've got the capacity.
Unknown Speaker
This email, I would like to know if the two Bloomington firemen testing positive or potentially exposed at the recent BLM movements, or protests.
Unknown Speaker
The the two firefighters that were exposed, it appears to have been not work related at all. There. It's interesting actually, the there's not much evidence that suggests that outdoor masked major March produced a big surge of cases with the contact tracing that I've seen, it didn't suggest that was a problem that firefighters both appear to have gotten infected in in their home life personal lives. And then we were very glad that doesn't seem to have spread any other firefighters though I will note today we announced a utility department worker was our sixth employee to be identified as having had COVID. So we're wishing them Well, so far, all of all have had a full recovery.
Unknown Speaker
And the follow up to that was that you know, would a lot allowing protesters on top of each other, which is that part of the resurgence of COVID
Unknown Speaker
it does not appear to be you know, I want to give credit the organizers of that March back on June 5, were very explicit and careful provided masks I would I saw the march from a distance I didn't get in the middle of the throng, but I was there on the edges and it seemed to me 90% or more people were masked. So far as I know from our health experts, there does not seem to be any eruption or resurgence from that event, which now is well over a month ago. So we would we should have seen it by now. Instead, it's it seems to be other social events. Were pretty People are close together particularly indoors non masked that we that we're starting to see some spread. I heard of a pool party at one major apartment house that produced some and some other concerns like that.
Unknown Speaker
Last question, parking meters, are they still free? Is it for two hours downtown
Unknown Speaker
parking meters are still free for two hours in Bloomington. We set that policy as the COVID emergency hit and we wanted to help merchants who were doing drive drop off pickup for food and stuff. But as people are starting to use parking meters to go out to eat either indoors or outdoors. I expect we will review that policy. We haven't announced it yet. But I expect pretty soon we'll go back to the regular meter policy to help create the turnover in those spaces that we'll need. Probably parked particularly before students. I'll come back.
Unknown Speaker
All right, we're out of time. But as always, I'd like to have this Mayor give the last word. Do you have any announcements or anything you'd like everyone to know?
Unknown Speaker
No, I don't, Joe, it's been spinning unbelievable for six months at 2020. I'll be giving a speech about that on Thursday this week if people want to listen into that, trying to talk about how we go forward. I do appreciate everybody taking care of each other and taking care of our community. These are unusual and stressful times and I appreciate the chance to help answer questions about them.
Unknown Speaker
All right, thank you very much, and hope to see you next month.
Unknown Speaker
Thanks, Joe. Be well take care.
Hello everybody, welcome to Facebook Live on Wi Fi you This is a special ask the mayor we do every month with john Hamilton. But normally we don't do these live. We've been doing them live the last few months due to the corona virus and the social justice and racism and it just seems like we've gotten a good audience. So we're going to do it again this month. We do Jim Lind up from Terra from Columbus the first week, Duke Bennett from Terre Haute the second week, john Hamilton this week, and then we joined dex Norton down in Nashville. He's the municipal consultant for Nashville on the fourth week of the month. So as always, Mr. Mayor, thank you very much for having us today.
Unknown Speaker
Yo, it's nice to be with you and with anybody else connecting live. Good to see you.
Unknown Speaker
So just about a week ago, you condemn three racially motivated incidents, you know, and you said, each of us must do our part to assure justice for those harm. Let's just start with what kind of came out yesterday and then The attorneys for the white men who are accused of attacking Vox Booker and assuming you know, you saw the report and everyone else Didn't they call it a false narrative accusing Booker of the agitator. How as Mayor now do you respond to the other side of the story coming out?
Unknown Speaker
Well, Joe, I don't think it's surprising that in what I expect will be criminal case and probably civil litigation to eventually that there's going to be some back and forth and disputing I guess I would emphasize a couple things. One, we know and I know I saw the just awful racial epithets and and physical attacks that happened near Lake Monroe. And those were a gut punch to me to see the video of that of one of my residents going through that. So I know that that happened there. The second thing I know and maybe this is most important, is that racism is very real, that structural racism persists in my community and across our country and that racism is real among us too. And that's kind of the key point is to remind us all the work we have still to do, to remedy structural racism that's present in our criminal justice system in our education system, our health care system, our our housing system and economic system, all that needing attention as we also continue to try to bring justice in individual instances.
Unknown Speaker
I wanted to ask just about your relationship with Booker, because my first instance was when he brought a megaphone to the State of the City address, whereas a few years ago to protest the lenco Bearcat, how has your relationship with Booker evolved to now?
Unknown Speaker
Well, you know, the The important thing is Vox Booker lives in Bloomington. He's a resident of my community and anytime a resident of my community is Subject to inappropriate treatment or violence. I care deeply. It's true that Vox Booker and I have have crossed paths. We haven't always agreed on every municipal policy. But none of my residents agree on all municipal policies. And the key point here is, Mr. Booker was terribly attacked on the weekend of July 4, and I want to be sure that like I will for every resident of mine, that they get justice. And I think it would be relevant to say, I've been on a number of media appearances in the last 10 days, Mr. Booker himself would urge don't just focus on what happened to me, let's talk about racism and what it means. And that was, the racism was so evident in that tape. It's it's hard not to feel nauseated, but also I hope motivated to do some things about it.
Unknown Speaker
And that was something you and Others state senator also asking the governor and others to to make changes in the way the DNR responds to incidents is are you happy with the response? You're getting back from that?
Unknown Speaker
I'd say it's too early to tell. Look, police organizations, law enforcement organizations, of course, before this event and this weekend have been under a lot of scrutiny and questioning and that's very appropriate from our Bloomington police department and what we do and we believe in transparency and accountability to the Conservation Officers of the Department of Natural Resources to Sheriff department. And, you know, I've been in contact with a number of these law enforcement folks and the governor to urge that we do have transparency and accountability in this making sure that any questions get answered and that we do look going forward. Reviewing the procedures and processes, that that govern is critically important, something we believe in in Bloomington and it needs to be consistent throughout our community and country.
Unknown Speaker
And just really quick, you don't have any timeline of the prosecution or that the prosecutor tends to wrap up investigations. That's not something that you're briefed on. Right?
Unknown Speaker
Well, I'm in regular touch with our county prosecutor Eric Oliphant. It's It's her decision. Once she gets the the case, if you will, the investigation from the state officials. She will decide and I think she will decide quite expeditiously about charges to be filed. It's already been 10 days. And I know she's she's urging that the state investigation be done as all of us are as expeditiously as it can be. It's frustrating to have to wait for the wheels of justice to turn. I'm confident they will turn and Erica will move quickly. Our prosecutor when she gets the case, finally, from the state
Unknown Speaker
I want a little follow up to on the racial profiling as a former basketball player in Bloomington, from a Lawrence County Sheriff though I believe he lives in Bloomington, who says he did nothing wrong and what there's what I guess that some of what our reporting was that they're saying the call to the police station, or to the police officer was where the racial profiling was. So is it still racial profiling for that officer?
Unknown Speaker
This happened just outside of the city limits of Bloomington. So it wasn't in our jurisdiction. Yes, it is racial profiling, filing. If a law enforcement officer receives a report from one citizen and proceeds in ways that they would they would or would not, should not do. If they were more sensitive to these issues. I spoke to the Lawrence County Sheriff and we have a different view of this. I said I don't want you to do that anymore. city he, he did it just outside the city limits but if if an off duty officer and look on off duty officers are and they have jurisdiction, wherever they are, if there's an emergency and they get asked to help, of course they're going to step in and help as a trained law enforcement officer. But just this was not an emergency. This was a one individual thing. I saw this person looking into cars. Look, I believe we have to have better judgment from our law enforcement professionals than to step in to young African American man walking peaceably down the street, and cause that kind of event. I I've spoken to Mr. Davis, his father, de Davis, I've reached out to and I haven't yet spoken to him. And you know, those of you who saw the video de Davis was incredibly de escalating and, and calm and responsive in that video. He he doesn't have to be he's a person walking down the street. And he de escalated it, which is, which is good. And we are appreciative of that. But he shouldn't have to de escalate that. So that's an example of a misjudgment, in my view by the law enforcement officer that did that can constitute racial profiling.
Unknown Speaker
Let's touch upon the farmers market Marsha evelopment is leaving. She was the, I guess, director or coordinator of the farmers market. What led her to leave her position?
Unknown Speaker
Well, you'll have to ask Marsha directly about that Marsha was the kind of the the master of the market for many, many years. I'm really sorry to see her retire, retire. I haven't spoken directly with her. But no doubt the stress of the market over the last two seasons has been very difficult for those involved in it, from Marsha to her colleagues and the parks department as well as the parks board and others. So, I do want to thank Marcia, she helped create the state's best farmers market and many award winning seasons and serving our community very, very well. It's obviously we're going through some evolution at the market, as the community has responded and others and I certainly wish Marsha All the best. She's a. She's an outstanding public servant who was so committed to listening to everyone and responding to everyone with a big heart and a good judgment about what we can and can't do in a public market like that.
Unknown Speaker
Did it surprise you that she left?
Unknown Speaker
I was disappointed Marcia has given so much to the market. I would say I didn't I didn't know she was going to leave but Marcia has spent a lot of time and I guess she chose it was her time to to walk away from the market. And again, I wish her all the best. She's given so much to this city. as a whole and the market in particular,
Unknown Speaker
you know, there's not what third market will read that open this past weekend. And there's an interesting letter from another market people's tuple to read, expressing concerns that Hillary has not made a statement on how it stands against white supremacy. What do you think is an independent market? What kind of responsibility do they have in fighting racism?
Unknown Speaker
Well, we all have responsibility in fighting racism. I mean, that's the short answer to that is it's this is a this is a legacy in our country, in our community, that we all have a personal and direct obligation to address we all need to be anti racist. Let's be clear about that. different institutions are going to respond in different ways. And I'm not going to I'm not going to suggest how each institution or person should but I do believe we all have a responsibility to speak out against racism and to be anti racist. I certainly do that and feel I should do that. As mayor, we've done that consistently since I've been mayor. And I'll continue to do that. And each of us needs to look inside and speak and rise to the occasion to help us overcome this legacy.
Unknown Speaker
But I think a lot of people are some people that are watching this may be saying, I want to ask you then why was the farmers market so controversial? and How come? And I already know your answer, because we've asked you this many times. But you know, it's that $500,000 question, why, as a white supremacist still able to be there at the market?
Unknown Speaker
Well, in a way, that's a simple question, but in a way, it's a very complicated question that the simple question is that under the Constitution of the United States, I can't punish people for what they believe that's a really important concept in our country and I swear an oath to the constitution and I take it really seriously. I cannot punish people for odious beliefs. I can speak up and I have consistently and regularly to say, that's a hateful and odious ideology that has no place in our community and I want to do all I can to help us overcome it. Because the complicated part of that question is asking why is a racist at the farmers market racism and racists are everywhere. All of us have inherent biases we all need to work on that whether we want to call that a race races being racist or not. Racism is everywhere. It's it's in the soil of our country and it's in the blood of our of all of us that the history and legacies of racism so asking how do we get rid of racist in this or that place is a very complicated and challenging question. It's a it's a big one that's that's sent 20 million people to the streets in our country over the last few weeks. Committed to digging into that Question but let's not pretend that's a simple one to answer. We have a lot of work to do in all the areas that we still as a country are not. We haven't solved our racist past.
Unknown Speaker
All right, we're about halfway through our time. So let's move on to COVID-19. The Coronavirus you know, big test coming up with public schools and of course, thousands of students coming back to Bloomington cases going up, although deaths have gone down, but are starting to creep up some. So we're getting a lot of questions in the newsroom. Are we going to be safe this August?
Unknown Speaker
Well, that's a good question. We need to do all we can to protect safety. We, you know, Monroe County is still in a good spot. We've done good work together as a community since March, to really try to limit the spread of the disease and flatten the curve. And we've done we've had some good results as you indicate. There are some Recent bumps in the curves going the wrong direction, particularly for 20 to 29 year olds, kind of that young contingent. I've been a vocal advocate for mandatory masks for some weeks. And for stricter restrictions, as we see two things. One, we know 10s of thousands of students are going to be coming back to our community from all over the country, to we've seen around the country, the the real risk of resurgence. So I've been an advocate and I expect, Joe that we will see in the next week or so, some substantial orders coming from county health that will apply to the whole county that will help us to keep people safe. I've always been ready to do this as a city if the county doesn't move, but I really think it's better if we have a county wide approach. And I'm confident that that's coming quite shortly.
Unknown Speaker
And I believe you're talking about the mandatory mask ordinance.
Unknown Speaker
I expect we're going to see three things. In some, I don't know the exact specifics, we're still talking about those. But yes, a requirement for mask wearing in most circumstances for most of us, we know that really helps second, tighter controls over commercial establishments where you might have a lot of people indoors close together that can particularly think about bars, where you can have real tight packing or a super spread or event. And then the third area I think we're gonna probably see some work on is social gatherings. Because those two we now know are really a source where the virus can can erupt and move quickly. And we really need to stop that, particularly for the next three months. We, we don't want to have to move dramatically backwards over the next three or four months and there's there's real risk of that as we've seen across the country. So can I can I just add to Joe it doesn't need to be this way. We've seen stories around the world where countries did better, had better controls, better testing, more consistent messaging that got them through this virus much better than we have. It's been a shortfall of failure of national government national leadership. States have tried to pick it up, but they vary too much. And we now the United States is a poster child for how not to deal with the corona virus pandemic.
Unknown Speaker
I think one of the questions is about mandatory masks aren't mandatory if no one is enforcing the rules, other cities have these and you know, we're also seeing some of those videos that go viral of someone trying to enforce a map. How does How will Monroe County Bloomington enforce that?
Unknown Speaker
Well, let's be realistic. What we're trying to do with all of these is his play the the averages is trying to reduce the risk of major brakes, nothing, no system is going to be perfect. But it is absolutely clear there are 21 or more states that have mandatory mass orders in place. They really make a difference compliance goes way up. Will there be issues of compliance? Sure, there will be but, but most of the issues of compliance will be handled in establishments in a in a business at a drugstore in a restaurant or at a gym or other places where the owners of those establishments will need to assure that people comply. We're not going to have roving bands of masked checkers running through the parks. But the point is to drum is to significantly increase the percentage of us wearing masks in so many places. And I know our people have shown interest in doing this and doing it well. If there are individuals who refuse then law enforcement enforcement mechanisms can respond to that. But the evidence around the country is that when these are put in place, these mask orders The vast majority of us want to comply and want to help protect public safety.
Unknown Speaker
And what about all the people that are so against wearing a mask I just read this morning in Evansville about people protesting a maskless protest outside of City Hall, before a decision was made on a mask, a mandatory mask what what's this force against wearing a mask?
Unknown Speaker
Look, I think all I can say is that as public officials, and then as community members, we need to follow the science and try to do the right thing to protect each other. There can be individuals who choose for various reasons not to do so. And we'll have to respond to that as a community. But I think the overall evidence and the overall inclination of our people is that if we if we indicate this is really important for our public health, we know now masks dramatically help reducing the spread. So that's what we're going to do locally and you need to be part of that solution. It's not political. It's not personal. It's based on Health and Science and that's where we'll stay keep focused.
Unknown Speaker
quick follow up on that if people don't have access to masks is there somewhere they can go? And this is even fruit in general to to go get a mask?
Unknown Speaker
Yes, any mandatory mask quarter will the general expectation is that people will supply their own masks. So that's what we're we're hoping for and expecting but for those who can't or have difficulty obtaining masks, we've had 10s of thousands of masks produced by volunteers. We have stores of the personal protective equipment like mass that we can make available for folks and we'll want to make will help people comply who have trouble comply.
Unknown Speaker
We have a few questions of people sent in course it's asked the mayor so let's start with Cindy. She says we are planning a trip to drive to Brownsburg, Indiana at the end of July coming from Colorado coming through Bloomington. Is it safe is it safe to start? at a hotel.
Unknown Speaker
Well, I Good luck on your trip. that's a that's a long travel. Yes, I think it's generally safe to take precautions. It depends what your own risk factors are, of course, as an individual, if you're if you have risk factors, you need to be particularly careful that I would ask the hotels, what kind of protocols they have. I think it's always good as a customer and a health consumer these days to ask institutions like hotel, what's your protocol? How do you clean How do you handle? Do you assume everybody has the virus and do you have masks when you're people coming in and out of the elevators and that kind of thing, but but I think with prudent care, you know, people are traveling again, but you have to be very careful. I mean, I wouldn't I wouldn't do it willy nilly, just just for the heck of it. But there are certainly ways to protect yourself.
Unknown Speaker
You kind of touched on this. This email is concerned about IU students returning Cova dangerous they bring with them But the question is Can our healthcare system handle that influx of the IU students returning?
Unknown Speaker
Well, all we're doing is to try to help make sure that is the case. We certainly had all those students here in March when the outbreak started and our health system helped manage it. Of course, some of them did leave. It is important. IU has announced that they're going to require every returning student have a negative COVID test in the in the days before they come back. And that will help identify those that immediate who bring an immediate threat but I think we can expect we'll see more cases. In the in the days and weeks when students are back in one. That's one of the reasons we don't want to have super spreader events that we're able to manage and control what will will certainly be some disease COVID-19. Here, our healthcare system is is well positioned and they're very careful to try to make sure we have the resources of beds, equipment ventilators, if needed Seeing and testing that we need we, we don't have the testing we need let's be clear about that. We're way behind on that. But in terms of hospital beds, I think the medical profession works really hard to make sure we've got the capacity.
Unknown Speaker
This email, I would like to know if the two Bloomington firemen testing positive or potentially exposed at the recent BLM movements, or protests.
Unknown Speaker
The the two firefighters that were exposed, it appears to have been not work related at all. There. It's interesting actually, the there's not much evidence that suggests that outdoor masked major March produced a big surge of cases with the contact tracing that I've seen, it didn't suggest that was a problem that firefighters both appear to have gotten infected in in their home life personal lives. And then we were very glad that doesn't seem to have spread any other firefighters though I will note today we announced a utility department worker was our sixth employee to be identified as having had COVID. So we're wishing them Well, so far, all of all have had a full recovery.
Unknown Speaker
And the follow up to that was that you know, would a lot allowing protesters on top of each other, which is that part of the resurgence of COVID
Unknown Speaker
it does not appear to be you know, I want to give credit the organizers of that March back on June 5, were very explicit and careful provided masks I would I saw the march from a distance I didn't get in the middle of the throng, but I was there on the edges and it seemed to me 90% or more people were masked. So far as I know from our health experts, there does not seem to be any eruption or resurgence from that event, which now is well over a month ago. So we would we should have seen it by now. Instead, it's it seems to be other social events. Were pretty People are close together particularly indoors non masked that we that we're starting to see some spread. I heard of a pool party at one major apartment house that produced some and some other concerns like that.
Unknown Speaker
Last question, parking meters, are they still free? Is it for two hours downtown
Unknown Speaker
parking meters are still free for two hours in Bloomington. We set that policy as the COVID emergency hit and we wanted to help merchants who were doing drive drop off pickup for food and stuff. But as people are starting to use parking meters to go out to eat either indoors or outdoors. I expect we will review that policy. We haven't announced it yet. But I expect pretty soon we'll go back to the regular meter policy to help create the turnover in those spaces that we'll need. Probably parked particularly before students. I'll come back.
Unknown Speaker
All right, we're out of time. But as always, I'd like to have this Mayor give the last word. Do you have any announcements or anything you'd like everyone to know?
Unknown Speaker
No, I don't, Joe, it's been spinning unbelievable for six months at 2020. I'll be giving a speech about that on Thursday this week if people want to listen into that, trying to talk about how we go forward. I do appreciate everybody taking care of each other and taking care of our community. These are unusual and stressful times and I appreciate the chance to help answer questions about them.
Unknown Speaker
All right, thank you very much, and hope to see you next month.
Unknown Speaker
Thanks, Joe. Be well take care.
