UG of Wyandotte County/KCK ends mask mandate despite pleas from health officials
Despite warnings from area public health officials, commissioners of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas decided on Thursday night to end the city’s COVID-19 health order requiring masks to be worn indoors.
The measure, brought forward by newly elected Mayor Ty Garner, terminated immediately an order that made masks mandatory in indoor spaces for everyone 5 and up. The decision was made by a vote of 6-4.
The UG has until now been a holdout with regard to its mask policy as other local governments have largely gotten rid of them in recent weeks. Its latest order, renewed last month, was originally set to remain in place through Jan. 6.
Preceding the vote were pleas from area health officials, and a few community members and other commissioners, to keep the health order in place amid rising case numbers and the possibility of increased spread driven by the emerging omicron variant. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment confirmed its first case related to omicron earlier Thursday.
Deputy Medical Officer Erin Corrivueau noted “extremely concerning” trends in the rising number of new cases across Wyandotte County. She said cases have not fallen as low as health officials had hoped following the most recent surge, and more than 50% of the population is not fully vaccinated.
“And so, again, this is extremely concerning. We’re seeing also hospitalizations across the metro area with an even steeper rise,” she said.
Wyandotte County Health Officer Allen Greiner said the department’s job is to give elected officials sound advice about public health decisions, saying the health department advises people not to smoke cigarettes or drive too fast down the street too.
“We think it makes sense — just like it wouldn’t make sense right now to let every bar and restaurant in Wyandotte County start allowing indoor smoking again, like 20 years ago, it doesn’t make sense to get rid of this mask mandate right now,” Greiner said, addressing commissioners. “But of course that’s up to you.”
