St. Louis (KMOX) -- The St. Louis County Council voted down a proposal to mandate wearing masks indoors as coronavirus cases surge. It took place following two hours of public comment.
The mandate was defeated on a voice vote, despite Councilwoman Lisa Clancy's demand for a roll-call to have each member go on the record.
County Executive Sam Page sat remotely during the public comment period.
"I recognize the personal liberty argument of this but I can't see past risking the lives of others," Page said after the mandate was rejected by the Council.
Councilman Ernie Trakas has been a vocal opponent of mandates.
"The citizens of St. Louis County are sick and tired of government overreach, imposition, manipulation, and control of their lives," Trakas said.
Chairwoman Rita Days also strongly opposed the mandate.
"The movement to vilify and intimidate human beings is what makes institutional racism so dangerous," Days said. "I support wearing masks and I support vaccinations. The previous bill put forth does nothing to increase vaccination rates in my community."
A non-binding resolution to support the face covering health order was also defeated.
Something that did pass was Clancy's resolution calling on County Executive Sam Page and Acting Health Director Dr. Faisal Khan to meet with the Council to go over facts about the pandemic. Clancy says that hasn't been done to this point.