Crackdown in Vegas

Sisolak issued a lengthy statement, in which he said (in part), “We are still watching the continued increase in our confirmed and suspected COVID-19 hospitalizations as well. Recently, that number reached 439 cases in Nevada’s hospitals statewide, however, patients requiring ICU beds and ventilators continues to hold steady … To go to Phase 2, our goal was to achieve 14 days of flat or decreasing positive test rate and hospitalizations. Many Nevadans acted responsibly, and after achieving those goals, we reopened much of our economy.

“At that time, I mandated Nevada businesses and employees who interact with the public wear face coverings and continued to strongly encourage members of the public to wear face coverings as well. Unfortunately, as you can see from the data, we have taken some steps backwards. Clearly for many, the excitement and enthusiasm for escaping our confinement and finally being able to enjoy dinner out with our families, buy new clothes or get a haircut, overshadowed the good judgement we practiced in the previous months.

“So I want to put it to you like this: If back in March, before we shut down our economy, I said to you: we can keep our economy open if everyone agrees to wear masks and maintain 6 feet in person-to-person distance. Who would have not accepted that offer? I don’t know why or when protecting our health and our neighbors’ lives became a political, partisan or even philosophical decision. For me it’s none of those. It’s a medical necessity, a human obligation and it’s good for business … We owe it to Nevada’s many businesses to accept that fact.”

Ergo, as of midnight tonight, face masks will be mandatory in Nevada public spaces. (The Caesars fatwa has already gone into effect.) People with respiratory difficulties, some disabilities and between the ages of two and nine are exempted, as are jailbirds, who will have to take their chances. “Businesses that fail to meet requirements in this directive will face violations from licensing agencies and regulatory authorities, in addition to Nevada OSHA.” Reminding his readers that the pandemic has not ended (as many seem to believe) and that we are still in the first wave of Covid-19, Sisolak put Phase Three of the Nevada reopening on hold. (Bad news for brothels.) He even threatened to regress to still-stronger restrictions if infection numbers continue to go in the wrong direction.

As for those who feel the need to thumb their nose at authority (and the rest of us) by not wearing masks, Sisolak told the Nevada Independent, “We’re hoping that they will understand the severity of the situation and voluntarily wear masks. I mean, every responsible medical professional will tell you a mask helps reduce the spread of an infectious disease. Anyone who’s denying that is just denying reality.” Seems like we’ve got a pandemic of denial on our hands these days.

Jottings: A coalition of local faith leaders is calling up Foundation Room nightclub at Mandalay Bay to remove its statues of Hindu and Jain gods, saying their display is “highly inappropriate.” We have only one question: What took them so long? … Longtime Justice Department official John W. Elias says that Attorney General William Barr is ordering investigations of the legal marijuana industry because “did not like the nature of their underlying business.” Elias testified to Congress that “personal dislike of the industry is not a valid basis upon which to ground an antitrust investigation” … Two El Cortez employees have tested positive for Coronavirus. Neither was in a customer-facing role … A poker player’s recall petition to get rid of Mayor Carolyn Goodman (I) hasn’t garnered a single John Hancock, according to the city clerk. Perhaps the prospect of a gun-wielding Mayor Michele Fiore (R) is scarier yet … Wet Republic and Liquid Pool Lounge are still set to reopen next month. Reservations will be required.