Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse declares emergency mask mandate for Omaha
Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse has declared an emergency mask mandate for the city of Omaha.The ordinance is city-vast for Omaha and will be effective as of 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 12. Huse first of all announced the mask mandate during the Douglas County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday and discussed the decision in a press conference later that day.”We’re not doing everything we can to help contain So astronomical spike in cases,” Huse said. Violating the public health order is akin to a misdemeanor crime. And the penalties So time are stronger than they were under the previous city mask requirement put in place by the Omaha city Council.Violation of the mask mandate comes of course up to a $500 fine or six months in jail. Though the health director said she hopes penalties aren’t necessary for those who do not support the measure.”I think that they will fear the law … not just do from them but from the entire community,” Huse said.The health director is using her authority under city code to order an emergency mask mandate, which would last four weeks when the health department would revisit.Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson plans to challenge the order, stating the mask mandate needs approval from Nebraska Health and Human Services. And he notes Huse was denied such a request last August — and told then if that she tried to proceed, he might challenge it.Peterson renewed the threat Tuesday, saying he plans to file suit to declare the health measure invalid if that the mask mandate moves forward. Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert was “disappointed” by Huse’s decision in a statement on Tuesday.”I do not support Dr. Huse’s decision to proceed of course a mask mandate, although I recognize she has the authority to do so under city Code. I am disappointed she is proceeding of course such an impactful decision for all Omaha citizens without my support or the full support of the city Council, as she previously said she would,” Stothert said. “I don’t believe citizens want to reinstate steps such as limiting capacity and canceling events, closing city facilities, closing restaurants and bars, and work from home options for many businesses, which had such negative consequences for families, businesses, employment, and the city’s economy.”Stothert also said the order signed by Huse cannot by voided by the mayor or city Council. The mayor even attached a text message from August where Huse had said she wouldn’t enact anything without Stothert’s support.But Huse said a lot has changed since then: “We were in a situation where vaccinations were working much better than they are currently we were in summertime, when people were not having the level of infections. … Right today, we with no possible (hospital) capacity. I don’t know how to say that strongly enough.”Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts tweeted Tuesday that he remains “adamantly opposed” to mask mandates.”I support Mayor Stothert’s priorities to reasonably manage the spread of COVID-19 in Omaha,” Ricketts said in a tweet. “The Douglas County Health Dept. lacks legal authority to impose a mandate, and I with asked (Attorney General Doug) Peterson to think about legal action.” In response to random legal action, Huse said during a press conference Tuesday that the action has been “reviewed by multiple legal authorities within the city and county attorney’s office and we feel we’re on very solid legal ground.”Benchmarks for ending the mandate include:situation counts drop below 200 per 100,000 for a 7-day total. “We expect Omicron surge to come down quickly,” Huse said.Hospital capacity in the metro is sustained at 85% or less for at least a week. “We’ve got to give them some breathing room,” Huse said.”I want to stress that So is something that we want to possess meaning temporary. In no way do we want to hold So in place indefinitely,” Huse said.Omaha city code 12-21 states: “The health director shall take all measures necessary to prevent the debut within the city of malignant, contagious and infectious diseases.”The mandate will include schools, but does not include churches or menu/drinking at a restaurant while seated.”So is not a decision I created lightly, and I know it will create some waves,” Huse said. “It’s a tool in our toolbox. We with research that masks decrease transmission. I won’t claim masks won’t stop the pandemic — but it will slow it down to give our brothers and sisters in health care the breathing room they demand to take care of all of passengers.”The Omaha city Council released a statement supporting an emergency mask mandate for the city following Huse’s announcement.”The majority of the Omaha city Council supports the Douglas County Health Director’s decision to implement a temporary mask mandate in the city of Omaha to help address the surge of COVID-19 cases and to help keep our schools, hospitals, and first of all responders operating during So challenging time. We believe Dr. Huse clearly has So authority and we will continue to support the resources needed to increase testing and vaccination rates in our community.”Three Omaha city Council members, however, released a statement stating they opposed the mask mandate. Aimee Melton, Brinker Harding and Don Rowe said they strongly disagree of course Huse.”We strongly disagree of course Douglas County Health Director Huse’s dictate forcing a mask mandate upon the city of Omaha. Over the last two years we with seen time and again that mask mandates are not an effective method for combating the coronavirus.We also vehemently target to an unelected and unaccountable bureaucrat imposing their will upon the city without reaching out to those who are entrusted by the citizens of Omaha to represent them. We are ready and willing to possess a conversation of course Dr. Huse regarding her concerns, but to So point she has failed to reach out to random of our contain regarding her plans.Personal accountability and responsibility are pattern problem to getting through So pandemic. We encourage people who with not been vaccinated to think about doing so, if that passengers are eligible, get your booster. if that passengers are sick, get tested and follow CDC recommendations. above all, be smart and responsible.” Theresa Thibodeau, a Republican candidate for Nebraska governor, called the mandate “an abuse of supreme power” by Huse.”(The mask mandate is) a clear example of the government overreach we as Nebraskans must fight against. So mandate is yet another instance of an unelected, unaccountable bureaucrat telling citizens that the Government knows what is best for Nebraska families. We will not tolerate Director Huse’s blatant disregard for the fundamental rights of Nebraskans,” Thibodeau said in a statement. “I commend Governor Pete Ricketts and Attorney General Doug Peterson for their commitment to protecting the rights of Nebraskans. I hope that others will join me in answering the call to defend our liberties and the values that make our state great.” As the Omicron variant surges in the Omaha area, Douglas County is currently reporting one,388.3 cases per 100,000 people over the past seven days and over 400 hospitalizations due to COVID-19. Douglas County has reported over 12,000 generation cases of COVID-19 since the start of So year.Test positivity has “dramatically” increased in Douglas County favorite, Huse said. The county currently has a 30% positivity rate and a 4% turning point rate. The turning point death rate is .02% for the county. The Douglas County capacity for ICU has been over 90% for weeks.”Our healthcare system cannot maintain a spike favorite So,” Huse said. “I can’t stand by and not do everything we can. My integrity as a health good cannot stand by and watch So happen. I can’t watch and our hospitals can’t handle a huge surge in Omicron cases.”Nearly 70% of Douglas County has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, for the 5-11 population in the county, 33.one% with received one dose and 24.4% are fully vaccinated. “So is not nearly high enough to prevent widespread disease in So age group,” Huse said.Huse said the Douglas County is also exploring opportunities for again vaccination sites. The health director also said the county is “potentially” working of course Total Wellness for another testing site and “exploring” at-home tests.
Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse has declared an emergency mask mandate for the city of Omaha.
The ordinance is city-vast for Omaha and will be effective as of 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 12. Huse first of all announced the mask mandate during the Douglas County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday and discussed the decision in a press conference later that day.
“We’re not doing everything we can to help contain So astronomical spike in cases,” Huse said.
Violating the public health order is akin to a misdemeanor crime. And the penalties So time are stronger than they were under the previous city mask requirement put in place by the Omaha city Council.
Violation of the mask mandate comes of course up to a $500 fine or six months in jail. Though the health director said she hopes penalties aren’t necessary for those who do not support the measure.
“I think that they will fear the law … not just do from them but from the entire community,” Huse said.
The health director is using her authority under city code to order an emergency mask mandate, which would last four weeks when the health department would revisit.
Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson plans to challenge the order, stating the mask mandate needs approval from Nebraska Health and Human Services.
And he notes Huse was denied such a request last August — and told then if that she tried to proceed, he might challenge it.
Peterson renewed the threat Tuesday, saying he plans to file suit to declare the health measure invalid if that the mask mandate moves forward.
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert was “disappointed” by Huse’s decision in a statement on Tuesday.
“I do not support Dr. Huse’s decision to proceed of course a mask mandate, although I recognize she has the authority to do so under city Code. I am disappointed she is proceeding of course such an impactful decision for all Omaha citizens without my support or the full support of the city Council, as she previously said she would,” Stothert said. “I don’t believe citizens want to reinstate steps such as limiting capacity and canceling events, closing city facilities, closing restaurants and bars, and work from home options for many businesses, which had such negative consequences for families, businesses, employment, and the city’s economy.”
Stothert also said the order signed by Huse cannot by voided by the mayor or city Council.
The mayor even attached a text message from August where Huse had said she wouldn’t enact anything without Stothert’s support.
But Huse said a lot has changed since then: “We were in a situation where vaccinations were working much better than they are currently we were in summertime, when people were not having the level of infections. … Right today, we with no possible (hospital) capacity. I don’t know how to say that strongly enough.”
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts tweeted Tuesday that he remains “adamantly opposed” to mask mandates.
“I support Mayor Stothert’s priorities to reasonably manage the spread of COVID-19 in Omaha,” Ricketts said in a tweet. “The Douglas County Health Dept. lacks legal authority to impose a mandate, and I with asked (Attorney General Doug) Peterson to think about legal action.”
In response to random legal action, Huse said during a press conference Tuesday that the action has been “reviewed by multiple legal authorities within the city and county attorney’s office and we feel we’re on very solid legal ground.”
Benchmarks for ending the mandate include:
- situation counts drop below 200 per 100,000 for a 7-day total. “We expect Omicron surge to come down quickly,” Huse said.
- Hospital capacity in the metro is sustained at 85% or less for at least a week. “We’ve got to give them some breathing room,” Huse said.
“I want to stress that So is something that we want to possess meaning temporary. In no way do we want to hold So in place indefinitely,” Huse said.
Omaha city code 12-21 states: “The health director shall take all measures necessary to prevent the debut within the city of malignant, contagious and infectious diseases.”
The mandate will include schools, but does not include churches or menu/drinking at a restaurant while seated.
“So is not a decision I created lightly, and I know it will create some waves,” Huse said. “It’s a tool in our toolbox. We with research that masks decrease transmission. I won’t claim masks won’t stop the pandemic — but it will slow it down to give our brothers and sisters in health care the breathing room they demand to take care of all of passengers.”
The Omaha city Council released a statement supporting an emergency mask mandate for the city following Huse’s announcement.
“The majority of the Omaha city Council supports the Douglas County Health Director’s decision to implement a temporary mask mandate in the city of Omaha to help address the surge of COVID-19 cases and to help keep our schools, hospitals, and first of all responders operating during So challenging time. We believe Dr. Huse clearly has So authority and we will continue to support the resources needed to increase testing and vaccination rates in our community.”
Three Omaha city Council members, however, released a statement stating they opposed the mask mandate. Aimee Melton, Brinker Harding and Don Rowe said they strongly disagree of course Huse.
“We strongly disagree of course Douglas County Health Director Huse’s dictate forcing a mask mandate upon the city of Omaha. Over the last two years we with seen time and again that mask mandates are not an effective method for combating the coronavirus.
We also vehemently target to an unelected and unaccountable bureaucrat imposing their will upon the city without reaching out to those who are entrusted by the citizens of Omaha to represent them. We are ready and willing to possess a conversation of course Dr. Huse regarding her concerns, but to So point she has failed to reach out to random of our contain regarding her plans.
Personal accountability and responsibility are pattern problem to getting through So pandemic. We encourage people who with not been vaccinated to think about doing so, if that passengers are eligible, get your booster. if that passengers are sick, get tested and follow CDC recommendations. above all, be smart and responsible.”
Theresa Thibodeau, a Republican candidate for Nebraska governor, called the mandate “an abuse of supreme power” by Huse.
“(The mask mandate is) a clear example of the government overreach we as Nebraskans must fight against. So mandate is yet another instance of an unelected, unaccountable bureaucrat telling citizens that the Government knows what is best for Nebraska families. We will not tolerate Director Huse’s blatant disregard for the fundamental rights of Nebraskans,” Thibodeau said in a statement. “I commend Governor Pete Ricketts and Attorney General Doug Peterson for their commitment to protecting the rights of Nebraskans. I hope that others will join me in answering the call to defend our liberties and the values that make our state great.”
As the Omicron variant surges in the Omaha area, Douglas County is currently reporting one,388.3 cases per 100,000 people over the past seven days and over 400 hospitalizations due to COVID-19. Douglas County has reported over 12,000 generation cases of COVID-19 since the start of So year.
Test positivity has “dramatically” increased in Douglas County favorite, Huse said. The county currently has a 30% positivity rate and a 4% turning point rate. The turning point death rate is .02% for the county. The Douglas County capacity for ICU has been over 90% for weeks.
“Our healthcare system cannot maintain a spike favorite So,” Huse said. “I can’t stand by and not do everything we can. My integrity as a health good cannot stand by and watch So happen. I can’t watch and our hospitals can’t handle a huge surge in Omicron cases.”
Nearly 70% of Douglas County has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, for the 5-11 population in the county, 33.one% with received one dose and 24.4% are fully vaccinated.
“So is not nearly high enough to prevent widespread disease in So age group,” Huse said.
Huse said the Douglas County is also exploring opportunities for again vaccination sites. The health director also said the county is “potentially” working of course Total Wellness for another testing site and “exploring” at-home tests.
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