Wichita city council members have approved an ordinance mandating that citizens wear masks in public spaces.
The proposal was approved by a vote of 4-3, with council members Jeff Blubaugh, James Clendenin and Bryan Frye voting no. That was also the vote for a number of amendments that were made during a discussion that lasted almost four hours Friday.
The ordinance requires people in the city of Wichita to wear a mask when in public spaces. The council voted to reduce proposed fines to 25, 50 and 100 dollars, but city manager Robert Layton said fines would be a last resort and the focus of the ordinance would be on education. He said there would be an enforcement guideline that would go out to police officers, and he suggested that masks could be provided in some cases.
The council heard from representatives of the medical community and some citizens who were in favor of the ordinance. One citizen spoke against it. Local doctors told the council that coronavirus cases are increasing and the spread in the community is increasing rapidly. They said new cases have developed from Mother’s Day and Memorial Day weekends, and they are concerned that the July 4th holiday weekend will create more COVID-19 cases. The doctors said mask usage can reduce the spread and reduce the impact on the economy Some of the doctors also raised concerns that if something isn’t done, children won’t be able to return to school on time.
Dr. Thomas Moore, an infectious disease specialist, said without a mask order there will be a “tsunami” of cases.
City council member James Clendenin raised a concern about the council’s authority to take the action. He said the council does not function as the board of health, and the decision lies with the Sedgwick County Commission. County commissioners voted Friday to accept Governor Laura Kelly’s executive order requiring the use of masks, but the commission made it a strong recommendation and not a mandate. City attorney Jennifer Magana said the city council does have authority under the state constitution and home rule and this action is different and apart from the action taken by Sedgwick County.
Council member Bryan Frye said the ordinance is extremely vague and he felt the council was making a hasty decision when they are not fully educated on the medical aspects of the issue. Council member Jeff Blubaugh said the ordinance feels rushed and there’s a lot of work that needs to be done with it.
Mayor Brandon Whipple said the ordinance is necessary to deal with a once-in-a-hundred-year pandemic that has taken lives across the country. He expressed thanks to council members for their consideration and discussion, and he said he is proud of the ordinance.
The ordinance will be in effect through August 11th, and then the council will review it to determine if it should be continued.
