SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — It’s not that Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken doesn’t think wearing masks is important, he’s just against forcing people to wear them.
Wearing his mask as usual at a COVID-19 briefing, TenHaken makes it clear he’s against the mask mandate that City Council may consider for the first time this week.
Health care professionals he’s talked to don’t see the need and TenHaken also says such a mandate would be unenforceable.
“It also puts our law enforcement in a very challening situation. and in a year that has been hard on law enforcement, I don’t have any desire to do that.”
City Councilor Curt Soehl is working on an ordinance that would require masks by all city residents in indoor situations where social distancing is not possible.
TenHaken is against a mask mandate, but he still wants everyone to be very serious about protecting themselves and others from the disease.
“I’d like everyone to behave as if you have COVID, so, assume you have COVID,” that way, he says, you will be more cautious, more careful when you are out in the community, or with friends or relatives.
The Mayor says the virus is spreading at a pretty significant pace across the state and the region right now.
