JAMESTOWN, N.D. (CVH) – The Jamestown City Council will consider a mask mandate Thursday, a mandate the healthcare community supports.

“As Mayor of Jamestown, I have the authority to strengthen our safety practices through policy changes such as: public mask mandates and early shut down of bars and restaurants and restrictions for local gatherings (i.e. weddings, community events, etc.),” said Dwaine Heinrich, mayor of Jamestown. “Changes will not be made without consultation with local health and safety officials of the Emergency Operation Center of the community’s conditions.”

On Monday November 9, 2020 Governor Doug Burgum moved all counties in North Dakota to the high-risk (orange) level. Businesses and events/gatherings are recommended to reduce occupancy to 25%, with a cap of 50 people. No standing room options should be allowed and face coverings should be required.

Jamestown and Stutsman County officials from emergency services and healthcare are support the city in mandating stronger COVID-prevention measures.

Stutsman County is seeing increasing numbers of positives in the community, said Robin Iszler, unit administrator for Central Valley Health District. Residents must take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID, she said. This includes wearing masks at work, church or any event where participants might come in close contact with others. Recent positive cases have occurred from exposure at workplaces, family and social gatherings, schools and sporting events. Mask are not a perfect preventative measure, however, combined with handwashing and physical distancing, the community can collectively curb the spread.

For example, a hairdresser who was positive did not spread the virus to her clients because both she and the clients wore masks, Iszler said.

“This is an example of how masks work” Iszler said, saying masks prevent the spread of the virus. Wearing one also limits an individual’s chance of being exposed.

Neighboring communities including Carrington, New Rockford and Edgeley have already enacted mask mandates to protect their residents, schools and businesses.

Jamestown Regional Medical Center supports a community-wide mask mandate. Based upon the most reputable, professionally recognized and accepted expertise of organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the North Dakota Department of Health and National Institutes of Health, the scientific data is clear: wearing a mask is the most effective action any individual can take to bend the curve and limit the spread of COVID-19. Masking is not perfect, however, it does help, said JRMC President & CEO Mike Delfs.

“Our healthcare system, both within JRMC and within the state, is strained,” Delfs said. “We are stretching resources like beds and personnel. Even if you don’t mask for you, please mask for others. We are a generous community. I know we can do this. We’re in this together.”

Others in healthcare agree.

“We walk down the halls at hospitals here and in bigger cities. It’s haunting,” said Andrew Berkey operations manager for Jamestown Area Ambulance. “All you see are closed doors and all you hear is coughing. A mask mandate will protect our fellow citizens and our frontline workers. Mask up Jamestown.”

The purpose of the mask mandate is to protect the health of the community. A mask mandate would also protect the business community.

“Our goal is to keep our local business and economy going and schools open. For this to happen, our residents need to be healthy and our community data needs to improve,” Heinrich said.

The Jamestown City Council will consider a mandate at its special meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12.