Tulsa city councilors and Mayor G.T. Bynum are ordering everyone age 10 and older to wear a mask in public in the city limits to fight the Chinese coronavirus epidemic.
The vote was 7-2 September 30 to expand the mask mandate.
The original ordinance applied only to those age 18 and old and it expired on November 30. That expiration date was amended to extend to January 31, 2021 – unless the council decides to end it earlier with another ordinance.
“I am thankful for the City Council’s broad support in approving this important amendment to our mask ordinance,” Bynum said. “Our local health care leaders made clear how important it was for more children to be wearing masks, especially as they return to classrooms. This amendment is critical in a time when we need to continue to ensure the integrity of our local health care system.”
With the amended ordinance, children will be required to wear masks in grocery stores, retail stores, and a host of other areas. Masks will not be required during children’s sporting events.
The mask must cover the nose and mouth. School children age 10 and older in the Tulsa city limits must wear masks during class.
Tulsa Health Department Executive Director Dr. Bruce Dart, who is not a medical doctor, said, “Our local health data indicate that the fastest rate of growth for COVID-19 cases is currently occurring among children in the 5-17 age group. Masks are a proven step to help slow the spread of COVID-19 when combined with everyday preventative actions and social distancing in public settings.”
According to the city’s website, masks aren’t really intended to protect the wearer and it claims that masks offer protection with “little-to-no negative health impacts to the wearer.”
People must wear masks in a restaurant except when they are eating or drinking. People who are outdoors and at least six feet away from others don’t have to wear a mask. Dental patients, medical patients, swimmers and others in sporting events don’t have to wear a mask. People don’t have to wear masks in their homes or cars.
Offices that are not open to the public don’t have to wear masks if they keep six feet apart.
If someone enters a business without a mask, they can be asked to leave and if they don’t leave, they could be charged with trespassing. Restaurant workers must wear masks.
The ordinance has no specific penalty but city officials warn that violators could be prosecuted for trespassing, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct or other non-related crimes. Casinos are exempt because they are on tribal land.