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(Douglas Co., NE) -- The director of the Douglas County Health Department plans to issue an emergency face mask mandate.
During Tuesday’s Douglas County Board of Commissioners meeting, Health Director Dr. Lindsay Huse said the requirement would to go into effect at midnight Wednesday and affect the entire city of Omaha. “This is not a decision that I made lightly. This was not an easy decision at all, and I know it’s going to create some waves. But this is a tool that we have in our toolbox. We have research, evidence, out there showing that masks decrease transmission. I’m not claiming that masks are going to end the pandemic or stop the pandemic, but it’s going to slow it down to give my brothers and sisters in health care the breathing room they need to take care of all of you.”
The health director says due to the surge in Omicron cases, they project that hospitals will need 40% more capacity in the coming weeks in order to handle more patients. “I can’t stand by and not do everything that we can. My integrity as a health professional, as a public health professional, cannot stand by and watch that happen. I can’t watch — and our hospitals can’t handle — a huge surge of more omicron cases."
Huse says the mandate will last four weeks then be reevaluated on two benchmarks, such as seven-day case counts falling below 200 cases per 100,000 population, “a point we were at not too long ago,” and local hospital capacity sitting at 85% or less for a week. “We’ve got to give them breathing room. We have got to make sure that they can take care of all of you. And this is how we do that,” she told the board.
Huse says she has the authority to issue an emergency mask mandate under city code. Dr. Huse said the temporary measure was backed by local hospitals and Omaha City Council members.
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert issued a statement Tuesday afternoon about the forthcoming mandate:
"I do not support Dr. Huse’s decision to proceed with a mask mandate, although I recognize she has the authority to do so under City Code. I am disappointed she is proceeding with such an impactful decision for all Omaha citizens without my support or the full support of the City Council, as she previously said she would.
Omaha’s previous mask mandate was implemented in 2020 before the availability of an effective vaccine, which nearly 70% of Douglas County residents over age 5 have now received, and was used in combination with other extreme actions to reduce the spread of the virus. At the time, these were the best options.
I don’t believe citizens want to reinstate steps such as limiting capacity and canceling events, closing city facilities, closing restaurants and bars, and work from home options for many businesses, which had such negative consequences for families, businesses, employment, and the city’s economy.
The order signed by Dr. Huse cannot be voided by the Mayor or the City Council." - Mayor Jean Stothert