Mahoney said a more realistic target for vaccinations in the city is likely to be within the 50% range, as he and members of the task force and doctors COVID-19 believe that many younger people cannot be vaccinated. Although, according to him, the newly approved vaccine Johnson & Johnson vaccine may be more encouraging to get a chance.
The revocation of the mask mandate, which has been in effect in the city since Oct. 19, is not in stone, he said, but if numbers continue to fall and more people at high risk are vaccinated, it could end within three weeks.
The city appears to be ‘in a good place’ with people returning to restaurants, pubs and retail stores, he said, saying it is economically good for the city.
However, Mahoney and West Fargo Mayor Bernie Dardis told lawmakers at a meeting Tuesday that they do not support a proposed state law that would prevent cities from approving mask mandates.
It passed a House 50-44 vote on Feb. 22 despite strong evidence from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that widespread masking is effective in mitigating coronavirus transmission.
“We need to do what’s best for our citizens,” Dardis said.
West Fargo’s mask strategy strongly encourages members of the public to wear a mask if they cannot keep a six foot distance between them. There is no penalty for non-compliance with the strategy, but it does support property owners who need masks in their buildings.
Dardis said he realizes that geographically across the state, different steps need to be taken to delay the transmission of the virus, but he said the larger cities have the ability to follow the scientific and public health recommendations.
The bill was part of what Dardis saw as a step by the state legislature to ‘defend local government’.
Mahoney agreed, saying it was definitely necessary to put on masks when it came to communicable diseases, and cities with large populations were at risk of outbreaks.
As for vaccinations, Mahoney said, the addition of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and the progress being made with 65-year-olds could mean that most people who want the vaccine could have it by June, well before an earlier schedule who thought it would be anywhere from September to October.
He wants to see the city at 70% vaccinations. However, he said that some young people who have already contracted the virus and others who are less susceptible to severe symptoms, do not intend to be vaccinated. He therefore believes that a new goal of 50% will be more realistic and achievable.
State Representative John Boschee, D-Fargo, told the mayors one of his concerns was that some senior citizens and others were having trouble getting transportation to vaccination centers.
Mahoney and Cass County Commission chairman Chad Peterson said they would investigate the issue with Fargo Cass Public Health to make sure people find a way to the city’s main vaccination center at 5100 14th Ave. S. in Fargo or to other places.
Brandy Pyle, state representative, R-Casselton, said there is a program available for senior citizens in the rural area of the country that can help them receive the necessary transportation.
Peterson said he believes the attempted vaccination against the province was “unmatched”.
He said veterans, for example, were able to easily get vaccines from the Fargo Veterans Administration Medical Center and also praised FCPH for its efforts.
Despite rumors, Mahoney also said health officials were not aware of the shots that had to be thrown away. Many people on waiting lists are called immediately if shots are available, he said.