Fargo City Commissioners deny mask mandate as omicron variant spreads rapidly

FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) – Fargo City Commissioner John Strand’s push to reinstate a mask mandate policy for city employees and those coming into city buildings as omicron spreads, failed on a 4-1 vote.

Fargo-Cass Public Health Director Desi Fleming said a mandate can work however, She said, “unless you have an all-in strategy for everybody, all the time, everywhere, it’s not going work,” and she added that the city has little to no mask use.

Strand also recommended that KN95 and N95 masks used by health care workers be made available to the public. Fleming said that could be done but there’s a challenge getting the masks because of supply chain delays. “I don’t know we could have the right away but may after a week or so,” she said

Mayor Tim Mahoney said federal COVID relief money could pay for the masks. He says the recommendation will have to be discussed further before a decision is made.