Winona Mayor Scott Sherman. File Photo
Updated 12:55 p.m. 8-26-21
WINONA, Minn. (KWNO)-For the second time in just over the year, Winona’s mayor has implemented a city-wide mask mandate.
Mayor Scott Sherman issued announced the mandate Wednesday afternoon. It took effect on Thursday.
“We are seeing case rates, transmission rates, and positive test rates as high as they were last September,” said Sherman during a news conference on Thursday. “These numbers are concerning due to the fact the curve is rising faster than it was last year.”
After issuing a brief statement, Sherman answered questions from reporters. The mayor’s emergency order was enacted roughly 7 hours after it was announced. Sherman explained the quick turnaround.
“I wish circumstances were different, that we would’ve had plenty of time to just go ahead and make this convenient for everybody,” Sherman said. “In essence, what we had to do was we had to move quickly based on the information I was receiving.”
The mayor had spent last week doing interviews with local media outlets, including KWNO, pleading that residents mask up and get their COVID-19 vaccine if they haven’t yet. He also warned about an impending mask mandate if local COVID-19 numbers did not improve.
Sherman also petitioned the Winona County Board to implement a county-wide mask mandate. The board voted Tuesday night to begin the process of putting a mask requirement in place but did not immediately intact one as Sherman hoped they would.
“Since that action had not been taken immediately it was on the onus of the mayor to go ahead and step forward with a mask order for the City of Winona,” said Sherman.
Winona County is one of 82 Minnesota Counties experiencing a high transmission rate of COVID-19, according to the Tuesday update of the CDC’s Data Tracker. The Minnesota Department of Health reported 18 new COVID-19 infections in Winona County on Thursday.
The Winona City Council is holding an emergency meeting about the mayor’s order at 9 a.m. on Friday. The council could vote to immediately terminate the order or keep it in place for the next 30 days.
Sherman called masks one tool in the box for the community to combat COVID-19. He said the best tool available is the COVID-19 vaccine and encouraged eligible residents who have not gotten the vaccine to get it.
“The vaccine is safe. Pfizer is now FDA approved,” said Sherman. “It is also effective and has been shown to offer protection against severe illness and hospitalization.”
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