Norman mayor calls on Stitt to implement mask mandate

NORMAN — Norman Mayor Bree a Clark on Friday urged Gov. Kevin St itt to implement a statewide mask mandate in response to a rising number of COVID19 infection rates that reached record levels in Cleveland County.

Clark, speaking at a news conference that included local health system officials, said a new state epidemiology report found a 109% increase in infections in parts of the state without mask ordinances compared to a 34% increase rise in cities with ordinances between Aug. 1 and Nov. 1.

“Imagine if we had a statewide mask mandate put in place when Norman put it in place back in July—how many lives would have been saved, how many family members would be able to celebrate the ho lidays?” she asked.

The Norman City Clark Council on Tuesday extended all COVID- 19 ordinances until March 1, including one requiring face covering sin public places.

“The mask mandate, particularly, is one that is very, very important,” Clark said .“Wearing a mask needs to be added to that list of easy things we can all do to protect ourselves and others.”

Norman recorded 109 new C OVID -19 cases Friday as the average weekly number of cases in Cleveland County reached a record high. The mayor downplayed the University of Oklahoma's role in the increased infection rate.

“The new cases are rural right now,” she said. “Yes, we had an increase. But we also had 20,000 people added to our population. So I am very proud of the students at the University of Oklahoma and how they're acting on campus.

“And while, of course, we have obviously had some concerns with social gatherings, we' ve also had social gatherings that aren' t student-related that have caused issues. And so, being home to the flag ship university, but seeing lower numbers in Cleveland County (compared to other counties), I think shows that you cannot blame young people for this. Everyone needs to be responsible for their own actions during this pandemic.”

Dr. Dale Bratzler, OU's chief COVID officer, said the local infection rate is mild compared to other counties in Oklahoma, some of which have reported 100 new cases per 100,000 people, or double the amount of Cleveland County.

“Though we've seen an increased number of cases both in the city of Norman and Cleveland County, the good news is that the rate of growth has not been anywhere near the rate of growth that we've seen across the state,” he said.

The mayor, meanwhile, blasted state lawmakers for refusing “to call a special session to extend our ability to meet virtually.” She said in-person meetings will resume later this month as a result.

“Every city, county and governing agency in the state will have to go back to in-person meetings, despite our numbers of new cases, hospitalizations and deaths continuing to rise,” she said. “I cannot, in good conscience, ask our volunteers—both the residents and council members — to risk their health during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“But our city must continue on and we must get our business done and we will try to do so as safely as humanly possible.”