OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Omaha's city council voted 7-0 in favor of a mask mandate on Tuesday afternoon.
The mandate goes into effect immediately and lasts until September 15.
Citizens both in favor and against a mandate made their voices heard to council members during a four hour session.
Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour also made an appearance, with various healthcare workers speaking as well.
The ordinance requires Dr. Pour to provide weekly updates on COVID-19.
All people five years or older have to wear a face covering over their mouth and nose while indoors in an area open to the general public. That includes places like educational institutions.
There are various exceptions in place, including if someone has a disability, medical or mental health condition that makes communication with that person difficult while wearing a mask.
Other exceptions include seeking governmental services, eating or drinking at a restaurant or bar, or doing activities such as swimming where the mask would get wet.
Those in violation could be subject to a $25 fine.
Omaha, the 40th largest city in America, was the last of the country’s largest cities without a mandate before the vote.
Councilman Rich Pahls is going through the feedback from other council members, school leaders, business leaders and Omaha residents. He says he received mixed opinions from all the above on mask wearing.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
Dr. Mark Rupp, UNMC says when face masks are worn properly, they are highly effective.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
He is breaking down recent studies on masks to show how and why face coverings can prevent the spread of COVID-19.
I didn’t catch her name, but another infectious disease doctor is at the podium.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
She says when the healthcare system adopted a universal mask mandate, they saw a decrease in transmissions among healthcare workers.
She says Douglas County has an 11% positivity rate.
Dr. Gary Gorby, UNMC says the city of Omaha will reap benefits by adopting a mask ordinance.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
Dr. Audi Pour is now at the stand.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
Pour says we have wide spread community transmission.
She says when other countries opened schools, they had 50 cases per million people. Douglas County has 203 cases per million.
Dr. Pour adds that we have no been below 5% positivity rate since April 18th.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
She says 5% is really the ideal number to be at when opening schools, adding masks can help get Douglas County to that number.
Dr. Andrea Skolkin, CEO of OneWorld Health is begging the council to pass the mask ordinance.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
She says they have been on the frontline of COVID, and has had to adap to this new norm.
She says the crisis has magnified the racial disparity in this community.
Douglas County Commissioner Jim Cavanaugh, who has his son with him at the podium, says wearing a mask is needed to slow spread.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
He referenced the movie “Jaws” when the mayor didn’t close down beaches, and resident continues to be eaten by a shark.
Mathew Lamar, Omaha resident, says this should not be a partisan issue.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
He says Omaha is the largest city without mask ordinance.
He says is time to get on board.
Bryce Shirley, Creighton student-athlete, says we need a mask paradigm shift.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
He says Jesus would ask us to love thy neighbor, meaning wear a mask to protect one another.
He says the mask is a symbol of fear and that this pandemic is going to end on Nov. 3rd, Election Day.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
She adds, “time to flatten the fear.”
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
Richard says the city has already had a tough time keeping protesters from burning, looting and tearing down the city. He says a mask ordinance is an added responsibility for police.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
She continues to say this pandemic is fake.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
A lady was removed from the chambers for applauding for the young girl’s public comments.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
One guy says herd immunity can also help with eradicating the virus.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
He says there is medicine currently available to help with the virus.
One guy says that he hopes people know that by him not choosing to wear a mask, does not mean that he does not care about others.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
He says we need to live our lives.
“There will always be a virus. There will always be a sickness.”
One lady says this is a farcical pandemic.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
She says that it’s only made the rich more rich.
She says the virus has a 97% life rate and that’s not a reason to stop living in fear.
One man says he wishes people cared more about child trafficking than the virus.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
He says covering g children’s faces is dangerous for their safety.
WATCH: A lady was removed from the chambers after Councilman Chris Jerram said she was “out of order.” pic.twitter.com/2mDch5E1jb
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
Immediately after her, another woman says that masks are dangerous for children, especially if they have been trafficked.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
One lady says that she has PTSD from being raped as a child and an adult.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
She adds wearing a mask brings back those memories.
That same lady says we will start to see suicide numbers go above COVID related deaths.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
One lady is saying she got harassed after being asked to leave a store for not wearing a mask.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
She feels discriminated against.
Despite multiple health experts speaking during today’s meeting, one lady blames the media for this need for masks.
— Kent Luetzen (@KentLuetzen) August 11, 2020
If voted into law, the mandate could include a fine for those fail to follow it.
Watch Monday's meeting below.
