Eagle River Sen. Lora Reinbold was seated as a spectator in the House Health and Social Services Committee, when she was called out by Rep. Zack Fields for not wearing an approved mask.
Shortly after, Speaker Louise Stutes, Rules Chair Bryce Edgmon and a security guard entered the room. Stutes told Reinbold she would have to put on a mask; she had one handy to give her. The alternative, she said, was that Reinbold would have to leave the House hearing. Reinbold left, escorted by the security guard, Edgmon, and Stutes.
Much of the incident was recorded on Gavel Alaska close-circuit television in the Capitol, but Reinbold video recorded the incident on her phone and posted it to her Facebook page.
Reinbold has been wearing a plastic face shield, which is not accepted by the Legislature’s rules for a tight-fitting mask.
This is the second time this week she has been told to either wear an approved mask or leave the room. On Monday, Sen. President Peter Micciche advised her that her face shield was not adequate. She decided to skip the Senate floor session rather than put on a mask.
