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HAPPENING NOW: City council chamber is filling up before the vote on an emergency mask ordinance for Omaha.
A majority of the people are not wearing masks.
Stay here for updates from public comments in the thread.
A majority of the people are not wearing masks.
Stay here for updates from public comments in the thread.
Councilman Rich Pahls is going through the feedback from other council members, school leaders, business leaders and Omaha residents. He says he received mixed opinions from all the above on mask wearing.
The council says they normally do not allow public hearings on emergency ordinances, but will be doing so today!
Dr. Mark Rupp, UNMC says when face masks are worn properly, they are highly effective.
He is breaking down recent studies on masks to show how and why face coverings can prevent the spread of COVID-19.
He is breaking down recent studies on masks to show how and why face coverings can prevent the spread of COVID-19.
I will say this - there is a group of people consistently shaking their head in disagreeance to Dr. Mark Rupp’s experience.
Rupp says he is in awe at how masks have become so political.
Rupp says he is in awe at how masks have become so political.
I didn’t catch her name, but another infectious disease doctor is at the podium.
She says when the healthcare system adopted a universal mask mandate, they saw a decrease in transmissions among healthcare workers.
She says Douglas County has an 11% positivity rate.
She says when the healthcare system adopted a universal mask mandate, they saw a decrease in transmissions among healthcare workers.
She says Douglas County has an 11% positivity rate.
Again, she is going through studies and findings to show why face coverings are effective.
She says if we have another wave, it could be detrimental to the healthcare system.
She says many of her healthcare peers are exhausted.
She says if we have another wave, it could be detrimental to the healthcare system.
She says many of her healthcare peers are exhausted.
Dr. Gary Gorby, UNMC says the city of Omaha will reap benefits by adopting a mask ordinance.
Dr. Lindsay Northam, Methodist Physcians Clinic says the wearing of a mask is safe, simple and kind.
She gives testimony of treating dying COVID-19 patients.
She says this is a matter of public decency.
She gives testimony of treating dying COVID-19 patients.
She says this is a matter of public decency.
Dr. Audi Pour is now at the stand.
Pour says we have wide spread community transmission.
She says when other countries opened schools, they had 50 cases per million people. Douglas County has 203 cases per million.
Pour says we have wide spread community transmission.
She says when other countries opened schools, they had 50 cases per million people. Douglas County has 203 cases per million.
Seattle, Portland, Chicago, Denver, Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, etc..
Dr. pour lists major cities that have had less cases per capita compared to Douglas County
She says we need to bring this undercontrol.
Dr. pour lists major cities that have had less cases per capita compared to Douglas County
She says we need to bring this undercontrol.
Dr. Pour adds that we have no been below 5% positivity rate since April 18th.
She says 5% is really the ideal number to be at when opening schools, adding masks can help get Douglas County to that number.
She says 5% is really the ideal number to be at when opening schools, adding masks can help get Douglas County to that number.
Here we go to public comment portion:
One lady, who struggles with hearing and relies on lip reading, says masks make her life much more difficult when communicating.
She says going out now is a dehumanizing experience.
One lady, who struggles with hearing and relies on lip reading, says masks make her life much more difficult when communicating.
She says going out now is a dehumanizing experience.
Dr. Andrea Skolkin, CEO of OneWorld Health is begging the council to pass the mask ordinance.
She says they have been on the frontline of COVID, and has had to adap to this new norm.
She says the crisis has magnified the racial disparity in this community.
She says they have been on the frontline of COVID, and has had to adap to this new norm.
She says the crisis has magnified the racial disparity in this community.
Douglas County Commissioner Jim Cavanaugh, who has his son with him at the podium, says wearing a mask is needed to slow spread.
He referenced the movie “Jaws” when the mayor didn’t close down beaches, and resident continues to be eaten by a shark.
He referenced the movie “Jaws” when the mayor didn’t close down beaches, and resident continues to be eaten by a shark.
This lady’s reaction.
Mathew Lamar, Omaha resident, says this should not be a partisan issue.
He says Omaha is the largest city without mask ordinance.
He says is time to get on board.
He says Omaha is the largest city without mask ordinance.
He says is time to get on board.
Paul Cruz, Crieghton student, says he feared for his 22-year old friend when he was violently coughing after contracting COVID-19.
“Let’s stop being selfish.”
“Let’s stop being selfish.”
Bryce Shirley, Creighton student-athlete, says we need a mask paradigm shift.
He says Jesus would ask us to love thy neighbor, meaning wear a mask to protect one another.
He says Jesus would ask us to love thy neighbor, meaning wear a mask to protect one another.
Now we move to those that are against a mask mandate.
David Begley says if this is such a crisis why was this ordinance not mandated earlier.
He references Sweden, adding they never had a lockdown or mask mandate. He says they are doing great.
David Begley says if this is such a crisis why was this ordinance not mandated earlier.
He references Sweden, adding they never had a lockdown or mask mandate. He says they are doing great.
He says the mask is a symbol of fear and that this pandemic is going to end on Nov. 3rd, Election Day.
One women says they have given elected leaders an inch, and they’ve taken a mile.
She says this pandemic is based in fear, adding people can make their own choices when it comes to their health and safety.
“This is a virus. The flu is a virus.”
She says this pandemic is based in fear, adding people can make their own choices when it comes to their health and safety.
“This is a virus. The flu is a virus.”
She adds, “time to flatten the fear.”
Richard And Barbra First says they believe they have the right to choose for themselves.
Barbra asks the council how they will enforce it.
Barbra asks the council how they will enforce it.
Richard says the city has already had a tough time keeping protesters from burning, looting and tearing down the city. He says a mask ordinance is an added responsibility for police.
Ali French says we do not have significant proof that there is an actual pandemic.
She says this mask ordinance would be government overstep.
She says the council underestimates them, adding they will fight this to the top.
She says this mask ordinance would be government overstep.
She says the council underestimates them, adding they will fight this to the top.
She continues to say this pandemic is fake.
Grace Clyde, a young girl, is here with her mom.
She says that issuing a mask ordinance is bullying. She adds that her parents pray for her protection from other people, not a virus.
She says that issuing a mask ordinance is bullying. She adds that her parents pray for her protection from other people, not a virus.
A lady was removed from the chambers for applauding for the young girl’s public comments.
The mother is now asking people to yield her more time since her time was up.
One guy says herd immunity can also help with eradicating the virus.
He says there is medicine currently available to help with the virus.
He says there is medicine currently available to help with the virus.
I apologize if I am butchering the spelling of these names. I’m doing my best.
One guy says that he hopes people know that by him not choosing to wear a mask, does not mean that he does not care about others.
He says we need to live our lives.
“There will always be a virus. There will always be a sickness.”
He says we need to live our lives.
“There will always be a virus. There will always be a sickness.”
Ben Tapper, a doctor in private practice says he does not wear masks, yet has not contracted the virus.
He says if this is about health - then mandate healthy diets, exercise, etc..
He says masks have nothing to do with health, rather an impediment of freedoms.
He says if this is about health - then mandate healthy diets, exercise, etc..
He says masks have nothing to do with health, rather an impediment of freedoms.
One lady says this is a farcical pandemic.
She says that it’s only made the rich more rich.
She says the virus has a 97% life rate and that’s not a reason to stop living in fear.
She says that it’s only made the rich more rich.
She says the virus has a 97% life rate and that’s not a reason to stop living in fear.
One man says he wishes people cared more about child trafficking than the virus.
He says covering g children’s faces is dangerous for their safety.
He says covering g children’s faces is dangerous for their safety.
*a child’s
WATCH: A lady was removed from the chambers after Councilman Chris Jerram said she was “out of order.”
