Don’t expect the city of Cordell to implement an ordinance mandating the use of face masks in public any time soon.
At its Oct. 19 meeting, members of the city council discussed a possible ordinance to combat COVID-19 before declining to enact one.
“If you want to wear a mask, you can. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to,” Ward 3 council member James Newman said during the meeting.
That was the consensus among council members against the backdrop of rising COVID-19 numbers in Washita County and across Oklahoma.
In early October, there were 101 total positive cases reported in the county. On Monday, about a month later, there were 195 positive cases, a sharp increase of 93 percent. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported in the county, and 160 people have recovered. Across the state, there were 15,948 positive cases and 1,354 deaths attributed to COVID-19.
“COVID-19 is still very relevant and is in our communities,” District 5 of the Southwest Oklahoma County Health Departments said in a release. “According to the CDC, the best way to slow the spread of COVID-19 is through social distancing, wearing a face covering, washing hands regularly with soap and water and routinely disinfecting surfaces with approved products according to product instructions. Please continue to consider those in our communities who cannot protect themselves.”
The Cordell Chamber of Commerce has had a consistent message for its membership since the pandemic began.
“We have been telling people to social distance and wear their masks,” said Sarah Lau, offce manager at the chamber.
Zetta Penner said nothing the council does will deter people who don’t want to wear a mask.
“I think we’re adults enough that when you’re out that if you want to wear a mask, you’ll wear a mask. And if you don’t want to wear one, you’re not going to wear one no matter what we decide in here,” said the Ward 2 councilwoman.
Ward 4 councilwoman Cheryl Wedel played devil’s advocate.
“For business owners that would prefer people wear masks in their businesses, if we have something in place that gives them the ability to refuse service, that way there isn’t the issue of someone who comes in and says I can do whatever I want.”
Newman and other council members countered that they already have that option.
“It’s entirely up to them whether they chose to enforce it,” Newman said. “If someone argues with that policy, (business owners) have the ability to call the police and take care of business that way.”
What about the small business owners? Wedel asked.
“I’m concerned about the mom-and-pop businesses that don’t want to get exposed and would prefer that people wear masks when they come in.”
Ultimately, the council voted unanimously not to enact a face mask ordinance, leaving any enforcement up to business owners.