SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (KNEP) - Scotts Bluff County Commissioner Chairman Ken Meyer explained the decision him and the board made this week in regards to a proposed mask mandate.

Due to the high number of COVID-19 patients at Regional West Medical Center the hospital and the Panhandle Public Health District sent documents to the commissioners in favor of a mask mandate.

Legally the county cannot issue a mask mandate since the state government has not made it a law.

Meyer thinks wearing a mask is important, “And they came to our meeting and we discussed it even further and that’s when we decided to do this short proclamation.” Meyer adds, “And basically saying that we do support their efforts we are asking folks to use common sense. It’s nothing hard when you’re out wear a mask that’s what it basically amounts to.”