Local health directors call for action

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Coinciding with Public Health Thank You Day on Nov. 23, Nebraska's local health department directors hosted a virtual press conference regarding the coronavirus.

Among those on the call was Four Corners Health Department Executive Director Laura McDougall.

During the hour-long conference came pleas for urgent action from community members and state government officials to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Gov. Pete Ricketts, who's repeatedly rejected any statewide face-covering mandate, once again denied cries from doctors, public health officials and infectious disease experts. Instead of implementing any sort of mask mandate, Ricketts instead instructed the state capitol be reflected in blue light to show thanks for public health workers.

Dr. James Lawler, an infectious disease expert at University of Nebraska Medical Center, said a statewide mask mandate would increase compliance similar to seat belts.

The health directors and experts said they've continually tried making education on face coverings available and community transmission of the virus has hastened. Some cited instances throughout the country where mask mandates statistically slowed the community spread of coronavirus compared to those communities that did not implement such ordinances.

Since that conference, multiple Nebraska communities have implemented mask mandates, including David City and York, both in the Four Corners Health District. The Seward City Council heard a citizen request for a mask mandate in October. No one, aside from the community member who requested it, spoke in favor of such action, and two members of the council voiced their concerns with issuing such an ordinance.