The rebellion against Pete Ricketts continues, as two more towns order mask mandates.

La Vista, Grand Island OK mask mandates. ‘I’m smart enough to listen to smart people’ (Omaha World-Herald)

La Vista is a suburb of Omaha.

La Vista and Grand Island on Tuesday became the latest Nebraska cities to pass mask mandates to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

La Vista approved its mask requirement on the same day the Douglas County Board called on Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts to issue a statewide mask mandate.

The La Vista City Council voted 6-2 to approve the indoor mask mandate, which takes effect Friday and expires Feb. 23. The measure is similar to ones in other metro area cities, which require masks in indoor places open to the public, including businesses, churches, schools and day cares.

The Grand Island City Council approved its mask mandate Tuesday night on an 8-2 vote, during a meeting that lasted more than three hours.

Ron Depue, a Grand Island resident, supported the ordinance, saying through tears that the council’s decision was an important one.

“I have no medical or scientific expertise. I’ve just been around a long time and I’m smart enough to listen to smart people,” Depue said. “Every single one of our health professionals here in town has said we need a mask mandate. They have pled for a mask mandate.”

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