Face coverings may soon be required in public in the City of Grand Island. Mayor Roger Steele announced Monday he will send an indoor mask mandate to City Council for approval.
Steele says the Central District Health Department will officially recommend a mandate Tuesday and City Council will consider his proposal at its November 24 meeting.
Steele says more than 50% of the patients in area hospitals are there for COVID-19, and says few ICU beds are still available.
"I want to protect the city's ability to maintain life saving police, fire and ambulance protection. I do not want our public safety manpower to diminish because our rates of COVID-19 infection are climbing at a rapid pace," Steele said. "Also, I want to ensure that our businesses can remain open, which is jeopardized if virus rates continue to climb."
Gov. Pete Ricketts opposes the local mask mandates in place in Omaha and Lancaster County. He said Monday morning cities should talk to legal counsel before trying to enact a local mandate.
The League of Nebraska Municipalities says state law seems to give cities authority for such mandates. The group says other cities are researching the possibility.
"I learned in April, when our infection rate was one of the highest in the nation, that we had to rely upon ourselves," Steele said. "I learned that help would not come from elsewhere."
Steele did not offer details about what his proposed mask mandate will include. He encouraged Grand Island residents to wear masks even before the possible mandate goes into effect, and to limit contact with others.
"The wearing of masks has become a political debate rather than a public health discussion," Steele said. "I believe our community is above using an epidemic to score political points."