ST. LOUIS COUNTY (KMOX) - Acting St. Louis County health director Dr. Faisal Kahn said he may issue a new mask mandate, which can legally be in effect for 30 days, as coronavirus cases surge in the region.
Kahn participated in a four-hour special council meeting Thursday, making his case of a mask mandate. He was asked by Councilman Tim Fitch if a decision has been made and when might a new mandate go into effect.
"We have not discussed this yet," Kahn says. "I can't comment on the timeline but in my opinion as a public health professional, as soon as possible."
Under state law, health orders can remain in place for 30 days, then it's up to the County Council to decide whether to renew it. It's unclear how much time has to pass, or what else must happen before a brand new health order could be issued.
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There was an uncomfortable moment as County leaders discussed a mask mandate. Fitch read a question submitted from the public for Kahn.
"How do you expect us to believe anything that you say after you've made proven false racial allegations, that made national news, damaging the image of the entire region?" Fitch read the question. "Would you like to respond to that question."
Kahn replied, "No, I wouldn't."
Fitch has previously told KMOX he believes Khan was put up to making the allegations by someone else, but offered no evidence of that.
There has been no video or audio evidence of the claims of racial slurs and an assault on Kahn that he says took place after the July 27 County Council meeting. The meeting was overcrowded with residents there to urge the council to vote against the mask mandate.
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On Thursday, St. Louis County has reported six deaths due to COVID-19 in the last week and reported 130 new cases. The County reported a total of 368 new cases on Aug. 4, after about a month of a steady increase in cases. That daily case rate has been on a slight decline in recent weeks.
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