OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday night to postpone a decision on whether to enact a county-wide face mask order.
The 26 to four vote was an indefinite postponement. It required a simple majority.
Doug Gieryn, health officer/director for the Winnebago County Health Department, issued a face mask health advisory on Feb. 16. His advisory was only in effect through Tuesday.
The Winnebago County face mask order would have applied to people ages five and older. It also would have applied to all indoor spaces which weren’t private residences.
Winnebago County’s proposal would have gone into effect only if the statewide mask mandate was repealed.
Gov. Tony Evers issued a new mask mandate on February 4th, only one hour after state lawmakers voted to repeal a previous order. The governor’s current face mask order remains in effect through March 20th.
Winnebago County’s board heard from members of the public before their vote on Tuesday.
Winnebago County Board Chair Shiloh Ramos said while he supports masks, he does not think it was necessary for the county to take action to enact its own county-wide face mask mandate, considering the state order remains in place for now.
Ramos questioned the approach and timing of the proposal. He said the board can bring up a face mask order in the future, if the statewide mandate is repealed.
Gieryn also has the power to issue another face mask health advisory.
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