SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Sioux Falls City Councilor Pat Starr predicts that Council will approve a mask mandate the second time around.
He says the COVID-19 surge hasn’t slowed down since the proposed mandate was defeated about a week ago.
“If we don’t do something our hospitals will be overrun. We’re going to be shutting down our schools.”
The mandate was defeated the first time when Mayor Paul TenHaken broke a 4-4- tie.
Starr predicts that this time the mandate, perhaps with some compromise language, will be approved with six votes.
He admits that requiring masks in most situations in public will not be enough.
“We are that point that I’m not sure a mask mandate will flatten the curve, and that we need to look at additional measures.”
So Starr is urging a return to a no-lingering ordinance, placing limits on the number of people inside local businesses.
City Council gets its new look at the aggressive plan Tuesday Night.
There was a small group of demonstrators outside Carnegie Hall Monday morning, keeping the pressure on council to reverse course and approve a mask mandate.
One of the signs reads “Mask Up, Sioux Falls”
Mayor TenHaken has said that a mandate would be unenforceable, even while urging citizens to voluntarily wear masks.
