Should Broken Bow have a mask mandate?
BROKEN BOW - As communities across the state implement their own mask mandates and more people are pressuring Gov. Ricketts to issue a statewide mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic, what about Broken Bow? Is Broken Bow considering a mask mandate?
“Not at this time,” Mayor Rod Sonnichsen said Tuesday, Nov. 24. “But it has been discussed by the health board.” The city health board is comprised of the Mayor, City Council President Jacob Holcomb, Jacob Kamazin, PA-C and Police Chief Steve Scott. Broken Bow Police Sgt. and EMT Captain Shane Fiorelli is an advisor.
Both Sonnichsen and City Administrator Dan Knoell say they receive calls daily about a mandate. Calls are both for and against, with more of the calls being against. Some of the calls are from people living outside of Broken Bow.
Sonnichsen said a mask mandate is a complicated issue, saying, “It would take a change of ordinance with the city to give the mayor and health board the authority to do it” He added that cities that have enacted mandates changed ordinances to allow them. “Some of the cities are facing litigation. The intent of the law is really vague.” He also noted that it requires eight steps to change a city ordinance in Broken Bow.
Another complication would be enforcement. Local law enforcement could be called upon to enforce the mandate, thus taking them away from other duties. Knoell noted that Kearney Chief of Police has asked for voluntary compliance. According to the Kearney Hub, Kearney Police Chief Bryan Waugh is working on how people can report non-compliance while not overloading the 911 communications center.
Jurisdiction adds another level of complications. Some locations fall under the state, others under the county and still others under the city.
Knoell is also concerned about economic fallout. With a mandate, people might not be so eager to shop local. “A lot more online shopping would happen,” he said. “It would have an economic impact on Broken Bow.”
Despite no mandate, Knoell said people should wear masks if they want to. “The mayor and the council support people who chose to wear masks for their health and safety and for the health and safety of others,” he said
“We can only recommend you use them if you deem necessary,” the mayor said. “Private businesses have the right to require them. We respect the business owners who require them. It is their prerogative.”
Knoell added that it’s about common respect. If a business requires a mask, he dons one. “If someone refuses to wear a mask, they can be asked to leave,” he said.
The mayor emphasized that he, Knoell and Holcomb remain in regular contact with Melham Medical Center and Loup Basin Public Health. “We are on top of this. We monitor the hospital situation. We have only two hospitals in the county. People from neighboring counties come here.”
Whether or not to require masks is a topic that is not going away any time soon.
“Masks are going to be the new seat belt for a while, until we get the new vaccine in volume and it has to be proven,” Mayor Sonnichsen said. A potential mandate, he said, is always up for discussion.