STURGIS, S.D. – As of now, there is no talk of a mask mandate coming to Sturgis.
Sturgis Mayor Mark Carstensen says neither he, nor the council, have any plans to discuss it in the near future.
“I do not see it (a mandate) at this point. We haven’t talked about it as a council, and in my opinion, it’s something I’m not going to push.”
Mayor Carstensen says this virus is deadly, but believes it is up to each individual to do what they can to mitigate the spread without local government telling them what to do.
“I think there are more effective ways to help slow the spread,” Carstensen told KBHB Friday.
“Particularly, our most vulnerable population has to be cautious of what’s going on. It makes sense some people do not go out and we can help them with programs like our Good Deeds program. I just don’t think local government telling the town they have to wear a mask is going to make any difference other than create more difficulties.”
Mayor Carstensen says he has nothing against wearing a mask as a means of protecting oneself from the virus, however, he believes it takes much more responsibility from each individual than just wearing a mask to help keep people safe.
As of Friday, there were 7 individuals hospitalized at Monument Health, Sturgis Hospital with COVID-19, with 1 listed in the I.C.U.
