Mask Debate (6-30-20)

Always been a lot of difference of opinion between kansans and missourians -- and the covid-19 debate is no different, especially between their governors.i'm alan van zandt.

The latest is the debate over wearing masks.

Missouri governor mike parson today, reacting to decisions by other leaders over mask mandates.

The great mask debate hits missouri's state capitol.

Goveror mike parson making his stance clear."no i don't plan on mandating masks."parson going a different direction than kansas governor laura kelley, who on monday issued an order for masks to be worn in public in the sunflower state starting july 6th."you have to make the decision as individuals to decide whether you are going to do that or not."

Parson saying there is already too much government interference in people's lives, pandemic or not."i think some of the freedoms that we all have in individual things have to be protected for everyday people also.

The people who don't want to wear a mask should have every right not to wear one if they don't feel like they want to wear one."since the pandemic began, the governor has left it up to local municipalities to make most coronavirus restriction decisions.

His health director says he's just continuing with that policy."if kansas city feels they need to do things differently because they've had an uptick, we support that, that's fine.

On the other hand, if you're in a county with a low prevalence rate and they don't think they need to do that, we certainly support that as well."

St.joseph's city council has a work session set up for thursday to talk about a potential mask mandate here.