Letters to the Editor

Letter: Respect businesses’ COVID health mandates

The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce will continue to support businesses as they deal with this pandemic. Over the last 18 months, it has become clear that the health of our community and our economy is dependent on our ability to keep COVID-19 at bay. To that end, the Chamber will continue to encourage vaccinations and adherence to public health measures including the latest CDC guidelines about masks and physical distancing.

However, it is clear what we are doing is not working well. Health care workers and facilities are taxed, case counts are concerning, and too many of our friends, family and business community have been affected.While businesses are divided about use of masks and vaccine requirements, the Chamber will advocate for the rights of businesses to set COVID-19 protocols for the safety of their staff and clientele — and we encourage our community to respect those protocols by following posted requirements while on their premises. We also recognize the right of the individual to choose where to do business.

While there are different opinions about how to best mitigate the impact to businesses and our community, we encourage everyone to stay informed and take actions they deem appropriate to protect themselves, their families, employees, clients, businesses and the public at large. Regardless of your stance, the Chamber does not and will not condone or tolerate any divisive or offensive activity. We must work through our differences in a respectful and inclusive manner.

Anchorage is a strong community with an even brighter future. As we deal with this pandemic, the health of our community and our economy is dependent on our ability to work through our differences in a respectful manner, and to mitigate COVID-19 through vaccination and continued adherence to commonsense public health measures.

— Bruce Bustamante

President and CEO, Anchorage Chamber of Commerce

Anchorage

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Bruce Bustamante

Bruce Bustamante is president of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce.

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