Tulsa mayor seeks mandatory mask ordinance
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Mayor G.T. Bynum said Friday he's seeking an ordinance to mandate masks be worn in public to slow the spread of coronavirus.
He said Dr. Bruce Dart with the Tulsa Health Department alerted him that the "continued trend data indicates the need for an ordinance requiring face covering in public places."
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Tulsa County has recorded nearly 5,000 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
Bynum said in a Facebook post the ordinance is "necessary to slow the current rate of viral spread that will endanger our health care system’s ability to treat those in need if it is not addressed."
Bynum earlier this week encouraged residents to wear masks not only for their own health and the protection of others around them but also to prevent the burden a mandate would put on local law enforcement.
City lawyers are drafting an ordinance for consideration this coming Wednesday by the Tulsa City Council. To go into effect, the ordinance would need the majority of the votes, which would be five or more.
The governor has opposed a statewide mandate.
