Tuned in. Someone is talking about Satan. https://twitter.com/maggieKTVB7/status/1293201255293046784

Someone says wearing a mask means his machinist friend's goggles get fogged up (there are solutions for this). He asks rhetorically if someone has to get their arm torn off. Same person says he can't concentrate when he's wearing a mask.

Someone says wearing a mask covers their mouth which is needed for expression. Said we are created in God's image and we should show our mouth. (The government mandates we cover other parts of our body).

It should be noted there are maybe a little more than 15 folks here to testify.

FWIW, I'm always in favor of the public getting to testify. Always.

Another person just said she lost her job because she wouldn't wear a mask, and that she doesn't know what she will do. Said her employer doesn't want her anymore. Said she is a pariah at work.

Next person says he's been 'almost hit' three times in his car by people adjusting their masks. (There's no mandate to wear masks in your car).

Same person said if God wanted us to wear a mask, we'd be born with it. (We weren't born with underwear).

Just about everyone has testified about masks. For what it's worth, a mask mandate isn't on the agenda.

Next person says children should have the right to not wear a mask into school. I'm kindof a broken record, but the government has long had the right to mandate you cover portions of your body. Also, children are minors and have significantly fewer rights than adults.

Next gentleman says he gets 'stink eye' for not wearing a mask, but says he doesn't wear a mask for his own health. He didn't articulate how wearing a mask impacts his health.

Another person says there should be more understanding for people who can't wear a mask or don't want to. He says there "needs to be more understanding on both sides," and says "we are not stupid" for not wearing a mask.

Last person says the decision to wear a mask should be up to them. He dings Dr. Fauchi and says he has no credibility and "no one cares" what he says whatsoever. He then states a false theory about that taking vaccines are a plot by Bill Gates. "You can check it out online"

To the above tweet, 62% of Americans rate Fauchi's handling of the virus as "excellent" https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000173-4f2e-d866-a377-6fbebe3e0000

OK one more person testifying. Says she is 82 and an RN. Says if we don't breathe, we will all be dead before our time. This is true - but masks don't inhibit breathing if worn properly.

All those who testified generally testified about mask-wearing - and all were against any mask mandate. Masks are not on today's agenda.

I work very hard to hew to facts. I don't take a position on policy. The tweets above were aimed at illustrating what was being said at a public meeting, and provide context where relevant. It's not my job as a journalist to weigh in beyond providing information :)

The chair, Bryan Elliot of Gem County, said he was called by Gov. Little, then the next day a group of state officials. He said he was threatened by the officials, who he didn't name, that they would go on TV and blast him if he doesn't take action.

Elliot said he pushed back on the apparent threats. He noted Little wasn't on the second call where he was threatened.

He said he apologized to the board for the ire the call raised in him. "I wanted you to know about the pressure that's coming and how it was stated."

Somewhat jokingly said he would step back as chair.

Another member of the board said "the people on the phone" encouraged seating at bars. They haven't really said who these folks are that applied this apparent pressure.

Another member of the board (they are hard to ID via stream) said they got a letter accusing him of being a murderer for not taking action on mandates. Said they got another letter accusing them for being a communist for considering the mandate.

I have another meeting to get off to, but @heersinkolivia has the thread to follow: https://twitter.com/heersinkolivia/status/1293215286208770048?s=21 https://twitter.com/heersinkolivia/status/1293215286208770048