When Sedgwick County commissioners balked on masks, our top doc took action

You’ve got another chance, Sedgwick County commissioners.

You rejected Gov. Laura Kelly’s statewide order to wear masks in public spaces. You ignored warnings, brushed off medical experts, questioned data and opted for feeble suggestions and political pandering over clear direction and leadership.

Thankfully, that wasn’t the last word for our community.

On Wednesday — less than a week after a courageous vote by the Wichita City Council to enact a citywide mask mandate — Dr. Garold Minns took charge and took action for Sedgwick County.

The county health officer issued an emergency order requiring face coverings in public spaces and prohibiting gatherings of more than 45 people.

Good for him.

“I recognize that our community wants to get back to normal life before the appearance of COVID-19, but it is simply not possible at this time,” Minns said.

“We will get through this together, but we cannot get through it unless we all take responsibility to keep our family, friends and neighbors safe and healthy.”

His order acknowledges a troubling increase in positive cases, hospitalizations and community spread of COVID-19, which a majority of commissioners are too naive or knuckleheaded to admit.

And it will go into effect early Friday morning unless the Sedgwick County Commission overturns it.

Will commissioners be brazen enough to reject the doctor’s order? Could they be that dismissive of a virus that threatens lives and livelihoods? Will they once again play politics with public health?

We hope not — but given recent events, we’re skeptical.

Just last week, as the rise in COVID-19 cases put Kansas on travel-quarantine advisory lists, a majority of commissioners suggested that residents and businesses should just be trusted to do the right thing.

That’s not working.

It’s time to get tough and mandate face masks, which are a painless and proven tool to help curb the spread of COVID-19 and protect our most vulnerable residents.

It’s also time to quit pretending that everything’s back to pre-COVID normal. It’s not, so we shouldn’t be allowing large gatherings either. (More kudos to city leaders for slamming the brakes on a huge car show planned for downtown Wichita.)

At least Minns had the courage to act on behalf of public health. If commissioners aren’t ready to be so bold, they should step back and let his order stand.

This story was originally published July 8, 2020 at 4:56 PM.