Hundreds Of Broken Arrow Citizens Petition City Council For Mask Ordinance

Tuesday evening, hundreds of Broken Arrow citizens will ask the city council to implement a mask ordinance.

City leaders have repeatedly said they do not expect a mask mandate for BA anytime soon.

More than two hundred people living in and near Broken Arrow signed a letter to ask the city to take a stronger stance on wearing masks. It said the current lack of policy is a failure to protect BA residents, especially those who must work and risk exposure to the virus.

The group said they support a citywide mask mandate to help keep schools and small businesses open.

A couple of months ago, a coalition of medical leaders also wrote a letter to Broken Arrow leaders asking for a mask mandate.

Broken Arrow residents News On 6 spoke with said wearing a mask isn't political, it's just the neighborly thing to do.

"We sell ourselves as small town and close and pride ourselves on our city. But how can we take pride in the fact we can't stand up and wear a simple piece of cloth for one another. It really damages my faith in my neighbors to know they're not willing to wear a mask for me," Tammy McCartney said.

During a meeting in November, city councilors rejected a proposal to recommend but not require wearing masks.

The city said they encourage people to follow CDC guidelines like washing hands, social distancing, and wearing masks.