Mayor Jim Lane Addresses Mask Protocol in Scottsdale

Keys, wallet, hand sanitizer, and a mask. These are items that have now become normal for Arizona residents to grab when heading out the door, but after Tuesday’s City Council Meeting in Scottsdale, Mayor Jim Lane explained why masks are no longer mandatory in the city.

“This effort is not one that is in any way, shape, or form denying the idea that we have a real need for face mask coverings. The mandate was put into effect in an emergency situation meant to be temporary,” said Mayor Lane.

According to Lane, the mask mandate was set to expire under certain conditions. It was left open recently until the numbers of cases decreased that impacted the ability to maintain a properly functioning healthcare system and avoid overwhelming hospitals to the point of creating another emergency.

“All of that did take place,” said Mayor Lane. “We had positive statistical reflection on our infection rates, hospitalization rates, and hospital resources. Those all came down dramatically from a high on the infection rate from 23% to 7% or 8% as it has most recently reflected.”

The mayor said the city was doing its part in spreading awareness and stopping the spread.

“I’m very comfortable and confident that we can move forward positively,” he continued. “We’re also going to make sure that we’re confidently talking to our general public and vowing that we are really strictly looking toward a voluntary compliance in part of the citizens.”

City Manager Jim Thompson gave a report about the city’s response to the pandemic.

“I just couldn’t be prouder about our employees and the efforts that they’ve made. I’ve heard multiple times in the community where service has not been disrupted in almost all areas. In some cases, people think we went above and beyond,” said Thompson.

While Mayor Lane said masks were no longer mandatory in the city, Thompson told the council that masks will still be required in all city facilities and city programs where physical distancing of six feet cannot be maintained. He stressed the importance of it and that the city will continue enforcing that rule until necessary.

In a video played for the council, a number of city employees expressed pride in how they have adapted to serving the public during the pandemic. Many were relocated to other community centers in the city, and one of the services provided was delivering meals to the elderly who were isolating in their homes.

According to Mayor Lane, private businesses can require face coverings in their establishments.

“If someone doesn’t abide by a shop owner’s request for a mask, they can be subject to trespass,” he said.

Nikki Mansky, a Scottsdale resident who attended the meeting said she felt the city has handled the pandemic well, and has common sense rules when it comes to masks.

“As long it’s a private business, they can come up with whatever rules they want to come up with, and if you want to go in you have to abide by those rules,” she said.

Mansky also said that if a patron entered a private business and refused to comply with their mask mandate, they should be charged with trespassing.

Meanwhile, Mayor Lane said he felt that the issue of masks is all about responsibility.

“As far as the city is concerned, this is something that they have a responsibility to do for their own personal health, but also for their civic responsibility to others,” said Lane.