Post Falls rejects mask mandate

By a 4-2 vote in a special meeting this morning, the Post Falls City Council decided not to enact an ordinance requiring masks in certain public areas.

Council members Linda Wilhelm, Kerri Thoreson, Joe Malloy and Lynn Borders voted against the ordinance. Alan Wolfe and Steve Anthony supported a requirement that would have assessed a civil penalty for those not wearing a mask and not practicing social distancing in a public place.

While council members supported the optional wearing of masks, they did not join Coeur d'Alene in a mask requirement. Coeur d'Alene enacted its ordinance two weeks ago. Last week, the city of Hayden encouraged the wearing of masks but unanimously voted down a mandate.

After the vote, Mayor Ron Jacobson indicated he would have supported a mandate had the council been split 3-3. Jacobson cited the potential shutting down of businesses, keeping kids out of classrooms, and overburdening Kootenai Health as reasons for his stance.