St. Louis County prohibited from enforcing mask mandate

A Missouri circuit judge ruled on Thursday that St. Louis County could not enforce its mask mandate amid pending litigation, The Associated Press reported.

“This court’s decision is purely one of the relevant laws,” Circuit Judge Ellen “Nellie” Ribaudo said in her order, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “The court notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has been a political issue since it first emerged in this country and has continued to be a political flash point for many.”

A mask mandate was issued by St. Louis County Executive Sam Page on July 26. The same day, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a law suit against the measure, the Post-Dispatch reported. 

The County Council voted in favor of rescinding it the next day, but Page maintained that the mask mandate remained effective. Ribaudo prevented the mandate from enforcement after she issued a temporary restraining order on Aug. 3.

The mask mandate was dealt a similar fate on Thursday after Ribaudo issued a preliminary injunction against the mask mandate, though the judge acknowledged that the two sides should come together to come to a resolution.

“The court implored for the parties to work together for the benefit of the public to find common ground as this virus continues to be a very real and significant danger to the state of Missouri, St. Louis County, and the world,” she continued in her order.

Cities and businesses are grappling with how to best tackle new COVID-19 cases as the delta variant continues to across the U.S.

St. Louis County, like many other localities, has seen an increase of cases beginning around mid-July.

The news outlet reported that it was unclear whether the ruling would be appealed by the county, though Page said in a Twitter post that he believed that people would continue wearing the masks despite the pending litigation.

“Today the court ruled that enforcement of the mask order is suspended while the court considers the full case. Public health experts tell us masks save lives. I am confident the people of @STLCounty will continue wearing masks to protect themselves & their community from COVID-19,” Page tweeted on Thursday.

Today the court ruled that enforcement of the mask order is suspended while the court considers the full case. Public health experts tell us masks save lives. I am confident the people of @STLCounty will continue wearing masks to protect themselves & their community from COVID-19

— County Executive Sam Page (@DrSamPage) August 19, 2021

However, Schmitt sounded a congratulatory note on Thursday saying “the people prevailed yet again.”

“The people prevailed yet again against County Executive Page and his health department for attempting to impose their will illegally on the people of St. Louis County,” Schmitt said in a statement.

“Today, the Court issued a preliminary injunction preventing the County from enforcing their mask mandate. I will not stop in my fight against government overreach.”