COVID Cancels Omaha

A polarizing mask mandate splits the City, resulting in boycott

Douglas County Health Director Dr. Huse is going to try to claim the masks work, not understanding the damage a mandate does.

Many people believe these masks do not work, myself included. The evidence simply is not there. This is very polarizing for anyone running an organization, let alone a business. I am part of numerous groups. Half of the group refuses to show up wearing a mask, and the other half refuses to show up unless everyone is wearing a mask so the meeting is canceled.

Even the Douglas County Health Board has half the board meeting through Zoom and some don’t even show up at all. So apparently some of them don’t  believe the masks work. This is according to their own meeting notes. These divisions are in most organizations.  The problem does not end with masks.  Some people have made the decision not to get tested if they become ill because natural immunity is not recognized by authorities. This actually helps bring case numbers down.

With the mandate, many organizations cannot meet quorum and others cancel their meetings to avoid antagonizing members. The mandate operates as a stealth shutdown. Yes, many organizations and businesses will have people wear masks. Many people are complying but many do not even bother putting the mask over their nose anymore. The panic, especially for the vaccinated and those with natural immunity, is over. The only action which will bring down the COVID is the cancellation of large meetings which is happening. But there is another cost.

There is now a boycott of Omaha and many are going to Sarpy County. Bellevue and LaVista are benefiting. Wahoo, Valley and Bennigton also benefit. Apparently, Dr. Huse does not perceive a problem here. LaVista has Chilli’s restaurant, Chick-fil-a and more. Breweries such Kros Strain and Lucky Bucket are open and have bargains on packaged beer. Even Council Bluffs has picked up business. For many residents of Omaha, these are shorter trips compared to going to the Douglas County Board to complain.

While the mandate may end, I suspect the boycott of Omaha will continue as people become more acquainted with the areas surrounding Omaha. This is the problem many urban areas are going through. They want to control people but in doing so, people leave.