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Teachers gather at Memorial Park bridge, demanding mask mandate

Posted at 5:24 PM, Aug 03, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-03 20:03:18-04

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Teachers gathered at the Memorial Park Bridge on Dodge Street on Monday, asking for a safe return to school in the form of a mask mandate locally or statewide.

3 News Now reporter Kent Luetzen was live on Facebook from the scene.

Gov. Pete Ricketts have been a vocal opponent of mask mandates in the state. He favors more of an educational approach and doesn't want to criminalize masks.

Omaha's City Council is currently considering a city-wide mandate on masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

On Friday, Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour backed off plans to institute a mask mandate in the county due to legal issues. The planned mandate was expected to take effect in Omaha on Monday before spreading to other parts of the county.