Omaha City Council Approves Mask Mandate Extension
By Anuska Dhar and Luis Jimenez
Mask Mandate remains in place through November 24 in Omaha.
UPDATE: The Omaha City Council voted 5-2 to extend the city’s mask requirement to late November before Thanksgiving. Dr. Adi Pour, director of the Douglas County Health Department, said the county experienced “a very disappointing week” of rising numbers pertaining to COVID-19. Councilmembers Brinker Harding and Aimee Melton voted against extending the health directive.
previously at city council
The Omaha City Council was to vote on the extension of the mask mandate on Tuesday, Oct. 6. The mask mandate was first approved in August to slow the spread of COVID-19. The extension push the end of the mandate to Nov. 24. Council members were divided on their opinions on how long the mask ordinance should be enforced.
During the public hearing on Sept. 29, Councilperson Vinny Palermo demonstrated frustration with the city ordinance, as it was supposed to be under the purview of the Douglas County Health Department Director Audi Pour, as the top county health official. Instead, the city council finds itself managing a health directive.
Palermo explained, “I made it clear that this is not our job. This is your job...Do you feel that you will have taken upon yourself looking at the numbers to implement this mandate without us being involved?” The Omaha City Charter gives authority to the county health director to provide health directives when appropriate.
Dr. Pour replied, “The Governor [Pete Ricketts] feels very strongly that I don't have the authority. So I’m not going to go that route. I think I said that from the beginning. I need to focus on this community and this community’s health. I cannot be caught up in legal matters at this time. So, we know that you have the authority, as in many in communities. Nationwide, city councils have taken these mandates on. So, it is not unusual.”
While public health experts are crediting the use of masks in limiting the spread of the virus, other factors such as Labor Day gatherings and loosened restrictions during indoor eating can negate those efforts.
Opponents of the mask mandate voiced their opinion during a public hearing, questioning both the effectiveness of masks and the seriousness of the virus itself.
Scott Loos, a concerned citizen, doubted that the council was qualified to provide the mask directive, “Do you understand that two percent of the population has COVID, supposedly? When are we going to wait out the other 98%; that could take years and years and years? Are the mask mandates going to continue until that time? I don’t trust Audi Pour, and I don’t trust you.”
Regarding public comments, the Omaha World Herald cited the use of words such as “evil, partial suffocation, propaganda and psychological warfare” by the mandate’s opponents. A contributor for NOISE observed two opponents removed, one from her seat and another at the podium, from Legislative Chambers because they were declared “out of order” by the council president.
Nevertheless, Omaha Public Schools, Westside Community Schools, and Nebraska Furniture Mart showed support for the extension through letters. OPS Superintendent Cheryl Logan said a mandate was necessary in order for students to safely return to in-person learning. Ron Blumkin, chairman of Nebraska Furniture Mart, said businesses are worried as well about the density of shoppers with the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend next month.
“The pandemic will be over when the pandemic is over,” said council member Ben Gray who represents North Omaha. “I’m listening to the science. I’m going to listen to Dr. Pour. I’m going to listen to [the university doctors].” Gray also serves on the Board of Health for Douglas County. “I’m going to be supportive of a mask mandate next week. People need to understand that because I’m going to follow the science, and I’m going to follow the experts.”
Source:
Omaha World Herald Article: Mask opponents call on City Council to end mandate, while NFM and school districts back extension