Dubuque Times

Dubuque County Board of Health members have decided to support a mask mandate for the county after listening to both sides of the issue. 

The mandate will help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the county, Telegraph Herald reported. While the mandate isn't official yet, it is being sent to the county Board of Supervisors for a vote. 

“We had the same debates 100 years ago with the Spanish flu,” Board of Health Member Dr. Bobby Koneru, a Dubuque oncologist who has served as Dubuque County’s medical liaison during the pandemic, told the Telegraph Herald. “We had the concept of giving up our personal freedoms versus doing what’s best for public safety. Had the same debate with seat belts. We know that’s saved lives. This is a no-brainer.”

If approved by the Board of Supervisors, everyone over three years old will have to wear a face mask or covering in public areas and businesses in the entire county. Face coverings won't be required outside unless individuals are in a public area where social distancing is not possible. 

The mandate would also prohibit businesses from serving customers not wearing a face covering. If approved, the mandate would remain until the governor's emergency declaration comes to an end. 

Several people opposed the mandate, including Jessica Mihalakis, who said it brings out fear. 

“I’ve never seen more people more terrified of a person who walks into a business without a mask when everyone else has a mask,” she told the Telegraph Herald.

But to those who know someone suffering from the coronavirus or lost a loved one from it like Mary Smith, whose husband died from coronavirus-related issued, wearing a mask is important.

“Is Dubuque County just going to do nothing?” she told the Telegraph Herald. “Mandate mask-wearing at least through Sept. 30. It’s just not that much.”