fox4kc | The Jackson County Legislature voted against a mask mandate Monday morning. The resolution failed by a vote of 5-4.
Supporters of the resolution cited an increase in COVID-19 cases in the county as one of the reasons the mandate was necessary.
“Jackson County, as well as the surrounding counties, are classified as high transmission areas,” Bridgette Shaffer, director of the Jackson County Health Department, told legislators before the vote.
Shaffer also said Jackson County has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases for six weeks in a row with a 150% case rate increase. She reported that every age group has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases from October to November. Because of that, the Jackson County Health Department said it recommends masking.
Jackson County Executive Frank White said he also supports the resolution.
“Politics is temporary; health care is forever. So we just have to remember that this is an issue that has become publicized and politicalized,” White said.
“I think we have to do everything we possibly can to save lives,” Jackson County Legislator Ronald Finley said.
But not everyone agreed with the idea during Monday’s meeting.
“There are a number of issues with this legislation that makes it even inappropriate for us to consider a vote on. First of all, it is against state Statute 67.265, which places a 180-day prohibition on expired or terminated health orders,” Jackson County Legislator Jeanie Lauer said.
Monday’s vote came a month after Jackson County Legislators voted to end the county’s mask mandate.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt also said the mask mandate is illegal and warned legislators in a letter on Friday.
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