By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Shortly after 7 tonight (May 17), Bowling Green’s mask mandate became part of the local history of the COVID pandemic.
City Council voted to rescind the ordinance that had first been adopted last July. Council President Mark Hollenbaugh – who was instrumental in getting the mask mandate passed last year – made a motion that masks no longer be required accessories in the city.
The action came less than a week after Gov. Mike DeWine announced that Ohio will bid farewell to its mask mandate on June 2. A day later, CDC officials said fully vaccinated people no longer needed to wear masks in most situations.
“All the state orders are still in effect until June 2,” Hollenbaugh said. But his motion lifted the mandate in Bowling Green immediately.
The motion received unanimous support.
“The mask ordinance has served its purpose,” council member Bill Herald said.
Mandatory masks became part of daily life in Bowling Green after the science showed that facial coverings helped slow the spread of COVID-19.
“We were being cautioned that we didn’t want to overwhelm our health care system,” Hollenbaugh said of council’s original intent. The state had not yet made masks mandatory when City Council acted last July.
“It was a period of uncertainty,” Hollenbaugh said.
After the ordinance was passed, council extended it in October, then in December, and yet again in March.
“That brings us to where we are right now,” Hollenbaugh said.
According to state requirements, masks will continue to be required in long-term care facilities, jails and when using public transit services.
Council member Sandy Rowland pointed out that businesses still have the right to require masks. She told of visiting a small business in Bowling Green after the governor announced the mandate would be lifted. That business explained that it would still require face coverings since it has no way to know if customers are vaccinated or not.
“There will be businesses in town that will require them,” Rowland said, asking that people respect the wishes of private businesses.
“The vast majority in our country are not vaccinated yet,” she said.
Hollenbaugh acknowledged the end to the ordinance doesn’t mean businesses have to shed mask requirements. They may continue their own regulations.
“They certainly are free to do that,” he said.
Council member John Zanfardino voted in favor of rescinding the ordinance, but said he is likely to continue wearing a mask. He noted that many in the U.S. have disregarded the benefits of facial coverings.
“I’ve noticed a lot of people refusing to wear masks as time goes on,” Zanfardino said. “I plan on masking well into the future. Even vaccinated, we can transmit to others.”
Council member Greg Robinette, who voted against extending the ordinance in March, endorsed the end to mask wearing, noting the “evolving CDC and daily changes in state guidelines.”
Now is the time to let individuals decide, Hollenbaugh said, adding that the city’s ordinance helped the community get through the worst of the pandemic.
“I feel that it has been useful,” he said. “I feel that it has been successful in keeping us from overwhelming our health care.”
