Superior Extends Mask Mandate, Perhaps For Final Time

A 7-3 vote sealed the deal: The Superior City Council has extended the emergency declaration and mask mandate until June 1. The move comes at the same time that case numbers in the area have stabilized and vaccine doses have increased. Officials suggest that it could be the final extension unless things drastically change. The vote occurred at the Superior City Council's meeting on April 20.

Prior to the vote, much conversation was had about whether or not an extension was warranted. According to an article in the Superior Telegram, the consensus was that the city needs to find an "end game" - but officials weren't sure that that could occur right now. Superior City Councilor Jack Sweeney offered:

"I think we have to have an end game and I don't know what our end game is. I perhaps don't know all the facts, but here are some facts I do know: I think that everyone who wants to get the shot has received it or has plans to get it. There's multiple outlets now from Duluth to Superior. I need to be convinced why we should do this for another 30 days."

Sweeney was one of the three councilors to vote against the extension - along with Craig Sutherland and Keith Kern.

Get our free mobile app

Superior Mayor Jim Paine didn't necessarily disagree with the opposition to the mask extension: "I don't know that I can convince you, councilor. I struggled with [the] decision myself to propose it." Paine did offer the data from the other side of the argument, too - sharing that "[while] vaccine numbers are climbing...going in the right direction....hospitalizations and even deaths are not."

The vote by the council makes the masking requirement firm until June 1. Mayor Paine did offer that he "would be surprised to extend beyond that."

Things To Do Before + After Getting The COVID Vaccine

A variety of things to do to get ready for the COVID-19 vaccine as well as some considerations to take afterwards.

A Look At COVID-19 Pandemic Shortages

A review of what products were in short supply during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions

While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.