Nevada mask requirements lifted as case numbers fall

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With the spread of COVID-19 slowing in Lincoln County and throughout the nation, recent changes in mask mandates in Nevada have left many people around the state breathing a little easier, literally. After the rescinding of the statewide mask mandate by Governor Steve Sisolak Feb. 10, many organizations are now being given the right to decide if they will require masks or not. This includes private businesses, schools and correctional facilities.

“Right now, I think this is a major step moving forward for people,” Sisolak said during a recent press briefing. “Students and parents have been clamoring for this for a long time. Our businesses have been asking for this. I think this is the appropriate time.”

Paul Christian, owner of Great Basin Foods in both Alamo and Caliente, said he was pleased to hear the news. “I never did favor them, so my thoughts are I’m all for it.” He said he has already removed the signs on the doors of his stores in both towns asking that customers wear masks. “I don’t have any signs that require anybody to wear a mask. Our employees in either store don’t have to wear a mask, and I don’t care if the customers do or not. It’s their choice now.”

According to information from the Lincoln County School District office in Panaca, neither teachers nor students will be required to wear masks. Again, if a person does want to wear a mask, that is a matter of personal choice, but it is no longer a requirement.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal noted that unlike California, which will still require masks for those who are unvaccinated, the Nevada mask mandate is being lifted for all. He said he did not want to place the burden on frontline workers to determine whether a person is vaccinated. “I think that’s unfair to ask of people.”

As Nevada joins other states in the nation that are beginning to relax their mask mandates, Lincoln County is also seeing a sharp decline in COVID cases. According to Missie Rowe, CEO at Grover C. Dils Medical Center, there were 14 active COVID cases in the county as of Feb. 16, with the last case documented Feb. 9.

Other illnesses are now being seen in the community, such as the common cold and the flu, as well as a rapidly spreading stomach flu. Most patients are reporting a few days of discomfort, vomiting and lack of energy before making a full recovery.

Rowe expressed her relief that things are going well enough that the mask mandate can be rescinded. However, she still encourages caution and reminds people that the hospitals and care facilities around the state are still requiring masks.