Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls has clarified his no vote on a city proclamation that requires people within city limits to wear a face mask in public to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Nicholls and Councilman Chris Morris were the only two no votes on the proclamation, which Nicholls signed June 19. He told KAWC he wanted the issue to go before the council with public comment.
“I understand the need for masks," Nicholls said. "I do not object about the need for masks. I think it’s very clear that that is what we need to be doing as a community. I guess what I really struggled with was does the government need to mandate it?”
Nicholls’ vote made national headlines when he was interviewed by Chris Cuomo on CNN. Cuomo compared mask orders to helmet and seatbelt laws and called Nicholls’ vote "a naked political play.”
