Polis Shames Weld County Concert: “I’m Calling on Coloradans Not to Be Stupid”
Thousands of people gathered in Weld County on Sunday (July 26) to attend a concert and Mexican bull-riding competition, with little masks or social distancing in sight.
Governor Jared Polis addressed the concert in a press conference on Tuesday (July 28)...and he was not happy about it.
"Attending large gatherings doesn't just put yourself at risk, but also puts your job and your family and your loved ones at risk. No government policy can force anybody not to be stupid, but I'm calling on Coloradans not to be stupid," Polis said in response to a caller who asked about the event. "Those who choose to willingly disregard the health of themselves and their neighbors are hurting their communities."
He then compared the concert to drunk driving, stating that large gatherings put innocent lives at risk.
Earlier in the conference, Polis also placed Weld County in the "red category" in terms of COVID-19 infections, which he said means "the alarm bells should be ringing."
Weld County and the governor have long been at odds over the handling of the virus, especially in regards to Colorado's former safer-at-home order.
As for Polis' mask mandate, the Weld County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) is currently relying on voluntary compliance since the mandate is not a law, which is part of the reason why the agency could not stop last weekend's concert from going on.
Polis touched on the mandate in the conference, revealing that its impact is not yet measurable.
However, that has not stopped him from being vocal about mask usage, even going so far as to call anti-maskers "selfish bastards" earlier this month.
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