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'It's what everybody has to do': Public responds as Omaha mask mandate goes into effect
Omaha's City Council unanimously approved a mask mandate
OMAHA, Neb. —
Following hours of testimony Tuesday, Omaha's City Council approved a mask mandate, effective immediately for the city.
"Hopefully it will just, you know, push people in the right direction to do the right thing. I mean, that's all you can hope for, because we need people to start doing the right thing or we're never going to get rid of this," said Tineaka Lollar.
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Many people KETV Newswatch 7 spoke with in the Old Market supported the mandate.
"It's what everybody has to do to overcome what's going on," said Jamison Bennett.
Supporters believe the mandate will motivate people to wear masks.
"I talked to several people who said 'if they tell me to wear a mask, I'll weak a mask'," said David Thompson.
Many said while masks can be uncomfortable, they believe a mandate is the way to slow the spread of COVID-19.
"Masks are cheap. Better than getting COVID. Better than giving COVID to somebody. I would feel terrible," said Sheri Moss.
The mandate runs through Sept. 15. People 5 and older must wear a mask in indoor spaces open to the public. There are exceptions, such as when people are eating or drinking, or when a person is exercising, so long as 6 feet of distance is maintained.
The mandate does not apply to people with medical conditions or disabilities that make wearing a mask unreasonable.
The City Council heard public comment both for and against the mandate.
"I sat in here, and I've listened to people talk about 'we are the people.' Well, they're the people too. All of us are the people. What we need to do is decide among ourselves what we need to do to move this thing forward in a logical way," said City Council Member Ben Gray.
Ultimately, the emergency ordinance passed unanimously, with some amendments, despite reticence on the part of some council members.
"A 'no' today vote wouldn't stop this from passing, therefore I do appreciate the other council members, and councilman Harding, for working on how can we make this better," said Aimee Melton.
Melton said she would rather people wear masks voluntarily but did vote for the mandate.
Moments after the ordinance passed, a printable poster became available on the city's website.
Several people who work in the Old Market praised the move.
"I think it's a great idea. I wish it would have happened sooner," said Callie Rhoads, who works at the Tavern Pub.
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It's about time people adopted common sense. It may be uncoformtable to wear a mask, but that's a lot better than receiving or giving COVID-19. Giving up some of your civil liberties in order to avoid a plague sounds good to me.
Omaha's City Council unanimously approved a mask mandate
OMAHA, Neb. —
Following hours of testimony Tuesday, Omaha's City Council approved a mask mandate, effective immediately for the city.
"Hopefully it will just, you know, push people in the right direction to do the right thing. I mean, that's all you can hope for, because we need people to start doing the right thing or we're never going to get rid of this," said Tineaka Lollar.
Advertisement
Many people KETV Newswatch 7 spoke with in the Old Market supported the mandate.
"It's what everybody has to do to overcome what's going on," said Jamison Bennett.
Supporters believe the mandate will motivate people to wear masks.
"I talked to several people who said 'if they tell me to wear a mask, I'll weak a mask'," said David Thompson.
Many said while masks can be uncomfortable, they believe a mandate is the way to slow the spread of COVID-19.
"Masks are cheap. Better than getting COVID. Better than giving COVID to somebody. I would feel terrible," said Sheri Moss.
The mandate runs through Sept. 15. People 5 and older must wear a mask in indoor spaces open to the public. There are exceptions, such as when people are eating or drinking, or when a person is exercising, so long as 6 feet of distance is maintained.
The mandate does not apply to people with medical conditions or disabilities that make wearing a mask unreasonable.
The City Council heard public comment both for and against the mandate.
"I sat in here, and I've listened to people talk about 'we are the people.' Well, they're the people too. All of us are the people. What we need to do is decide among ourselves what we need to do to move this thing forward in a logical way," said City Council Member Ben Gray.
Ultimately, the emergency ordinance passed unanimously, with some amendments, despite reticence on the part of some council members.
"A 'no' today vote wouldn't stop this from passing, therefore I do appreciate the other council members, and councilman Harding, for working on how can we make this better," said Aimee Melton.
Melton said she would rather people wear masks voluntarily but did vote for the mandate.
Moments after the ordinance passed, a printable poster became available on the city's website.
Several people who work in the Old Market praised the move.
"I think it's a great idea. I wish it would have happened sooner," said Callie Rhoads, who works at the Tavern Pub.
========================================================================
It's about time people adopted common sense. It may be uncoformtable to wear a mask, but that's a lot better than receiving or giving COVID-19. Giving up some of your civil liberties in order to avoid a plague sounds good to me.
