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News and resources regarding COVID-19

Sioux City Council Votes to "Strongly Encourage Masks"

youtube/City of Sioux City

city_council_final_exchange.mp3
SIOUX CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO STRONGLY ENCOURAGE MASKS - LONGER VERSION

The Sioux City council took action surrounding COVID-19 and face coverings.  As Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer reports, they wish more could be done as local health officials track an increase in cases.

The Sioux City Council strongly recommends citizens wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Last week, a group of concerned citizens presented a petition asking the council to take action with a resolution for a mask mandate.

Council members say their hands are tied with the state when it comes to a mandate. 

However, they did vote to strongly recommend masks for the public, including businesses.

The city already requires face coverings for city buildings and buses.

During Monday’s meeting, several on the council admit their encouragement for people to wear masks will still be unpopular with some in the community.

Here’s Mayor Bob Scott. 

“We’re going to get hate mail over this.”

Before the unanimous vote, the Director of Siouxland District Health, Kevin Grieme also told the council masks do reduce the spread of disease.  And, the while rate of new cases has climbed since early August, some have experienced what he calls “COVID fatigue”.

The death toll for the three immediate counties that make the Sioux City metro area; Woodbury, Dakota and Union, was 112 on Monday afternoon.

Grieme also says the Sergeant Bluff- Lutton school district moved to hybrid model for middle to high school students because of the high rate of students impacted by COVID-19.  

City leaders also say activist Cindy Waitt offered to donate $15,000 for masks for people who need them and there was mention of Sioux City police offciers potentially handing them out as well.

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