State may halt elective surgeries
Governor refuses again to make a mask mandate to curb recent spike in cases
Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday said if COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations continue to climb, his next course of action will likely be to sign an executive order limiting elective procedures at hospitals.
He also reiterated that he has no plans to issue a statewide mask mandate, despite evidence that mask ordinances are slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the Oklahoma cities in which they have been adopted.
In a discussion with reporters, Stitt said he's asked the hospitals to come up with their own plans to limit elective or nonessential surgeries.
He said he's hesitant to sign an executive order halting elective surgeries because it could lead to health care workers being laid off and could delay preventative screenings and other procedures
recommended by health care professionals.
Stitt did not specify what it would take for him to sign an executive order halting elective surgeries, but said that's one of the tools he could use to free up hospital beds.
Health Commissioner Lance Frye said he's asked the hospitals to tell him when they need the governor to sign that executive order.
“There is a point out there where elective surgeries or nonessential surgeries are going to have to be stopped,” Frye said. “How quickly we get there or when we get there, I don't know, but there is a threshold.”
Asked repeatedly about implementing a statewide mask mandate, Stitt demurred.
“I believe it's unenforceable,” he said. “I don't believe in a onesize- fits- all approach.” Three dozen other governors have implemented statewide mask orders.
Over a three- month period, cities without mask ordinances saw COVID- 19 cases rise by 81%, compared with 21% in cities with mask mandates.
When a reporter noted the White House Coronavirus Task Force has, on multiple occasions, recommended Oklahoma implement a statewide mask mandate, Stitt disagreed.
“No, I don't think so,” the governor said, noting that when Dr. Deborah Birx, the task force's coordinator, visited Oklahoma, she said it was about making sure Oklahomans were wearing masks, not having a mandate. Reporters weren't allowed in that meeting.
Stitt has recommended Oklahomans wear masks, social distance and wash their hands.
The governor said his chief of staff has conveyed to some local leaders that he supports them whether they implement a mask mandate or not. More than 50% of the state is covered by mask ordinances due to newly adopted mandates in some Tulsa suburbs, Stitt said.
Earlier in the day, the mayors of Oklahoma City and Tulsa asked their residents to not partake in any high- risk activities for 10 days in order to help curb the recent spike of COVID-19 cases.
Stitt, who said he is planning on going to the Bedlam game on Saturday, did not heed the same call.
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt also encouraged residents to consider videoconferencing with family members on Thanksgiving or doing a drive-by visit instead of dining together.
“I'm going to be with my family over Thanksgiving,” Stitt said. “I'm going to do it safely. I'm going to be with my parents. I think Oklahomans should be with their loved ones over Thanksgiving. Let's be safe about it.”
Oklahomans can do both — be with their families and be safe, Frye said. He recommended family members space out throughout a house and take other precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have advised against traveling for the holidays. Some governors have advised their residents to stay home for Thanksgiving.