Residents voice disapproval of Imperial County reopening
IMPERIAL COUNTY, (KYMA, KECY)-The Imperial County Board of Supervisors met with officials from the state health department Tuesday to discuss COVID-19 impacts facing our region.
In particular the Board of Supervisors requested the state health department to reconsider the county’s reopening guidelines.
In early June, the Board of Supervisors sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom requesting consideration to give counties local control to make decisions on reopening based on the circumstances of each county.
It’s a letter some residents weren't too happy about.
At least a dozen residents voiced their concerns at Tuesdays Board of Supervisors live-streamed meeting, many questioning the priority of the board.
“Public health is a higher priority than economic profit or stock portfolios. Economic profit can not replace lost family members. Humans are the top priority right now not the economic system,” said Chris Wong, Calexico resident.
Supervisor Ryan Kelley addressed residents saying the intention of the letter was misinterpreted.
“In this regard the county was not advocating for a general opening, but was advocating for the ability for localism to be applied and to allow us to implement as we saw our community ready to implement. there have been changes in the past two weeks. I acknowledge that the numbers are significantly different then they were two weeks ago," said Kelley.
Residents added that over two weeks ago the Imperial County Public Health Department stated that Imperial County had the highest per capita coronavirus hospitalization rate in California, but still chose to look into a reopening plan.
El centro Resident Carolina Beltran highlighting an online petition signed by more than 1,300 residents.
“A petition that the Imperial Equity and Justice Coalition presented and which the board ignored makes it clear that one, residents do not want to open when cases of COVID are surging," said Beltran.
The public health department says they agree with the county’s ability to have authority to reopen, but that public health is at the forefront of decision making.
“That doesn't mean that we could or would move any faster, but it’s more about just making sure that when the decisions are made that the local jurisdictions have input," said Stephan Munday, ICPHD health officer.
