Dr. Paul Cieslak of the Oregon Health Authority said that the 'permanent' mandate is indefinite as it can be repealed anytime by the state
Oregon sparked panic when its health authority announced it was planning to make its mask mandate 'permanent'.
The state's Health Authority's Rules Advisory Committee met with business leaders, faith leaders and stakeholders on Thursday to discuss the worryingly worded draft of the new mandate, which will be released next week.
Some had expressed their personal concerns over the proposed 'permanent' mandate online.
'I'm a recent transplant to Oregon from Seattle. I have dutifully followed all the 'mask on-mask off' rules. I have kept my distance at grocery stores and in DMV lines. I'm also fully vaxxed, boosted, over 65 and retired. So is my wife,' one person tweeted.
'But if the state enacts a permanent indoor mask requirement...I'm done with masks...EVERYWHERE AND ANYWHERE. Go ahead and fine me or arrest me. I've got plenty of assets to pay fines (if I feel like it) and lots of free time if the state wants to jail (a grandpa).
'@OregonGovBrown over several years I lived in Portland and understood back then what it's coming place to Oregon has become a drug-infested pathetic place with a questionable government now the permanent mask mandate makes it easy to boycott the state,' another tweeted.
The announcement of the 'permanent' mandate has created a mixed response as some believe that state residents should just comply with the new mandate.
'WEAR A F***ING MASK AND GET F***ING VACCINATED OH MY GOD STOP MAKING THIS SO HARD WE WOULDVE BEEN DONE WITH THIS S**T IF IT WASNT FOR YOUR IGNORANT A**ES!', one tweeted.
The extended mandate comes amid rising COVID cases and the spread of the new Omicron variant.
Oregon remains one of the only US states to enforce a mask mandate for vaccinated residents
Despite the lift of the outdoor mandate for the state, 'separate mask rules for indoor spaces, schools and healthcare settings all remain in place'
Dr. Paul Cieslak, the medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations with Oregon Health Authority (OHA) was quick to assure that permanent didn't actually mean forever.
He claimed the authority had to use the terminology because the could only have a temporary rule for a maximum of six months, while they wanted to be able to extend it past that if necessary.
'Permanent means indefinite. It doesn't necessarily mean permanent,' Dr. Cieslak said. 'We can repeal it as well, but we are only allowed to have a temporary rule for 180 days, and anything that goes beyond 180 days, we cannot extend it.'
Oregon residents will have the opportunity to comment in late December with a public hearing being held in mid-January.
Oregon, which only had its outdoor mask mandate lifted last week, has been one of just six states to continue to require masks inside. - even for the vaccinated.
The extended mandate comes amid rising COVID cases and the spread of the new Omicron variant.
So far, approximately 80 percent of Oregon residents have received the vaccine.
'While it's great news that more Oregonians are getting vaccinated every day, and children 5-11 are now eligible, it's also true that most school-age children are not fully vaccinated and masks are an
