In the early days of a COVID-19-fueled delta-fueled surge, Missouri has been among the most affected states. The number of cases has increased by nearly 500% since July's start, and vaccinations have stalled. Only 41 percent of the state is fully vaccinated. 112 counties in the state have significant or high levels of coronavirus spread. Statewide hospitalizations are on the rise. Some facilities have run out of ventilators, while others have seen their intensive care units reach maximum capacity. There are more deaths than ever, with over 300 people dying since July 1. The proportion of COVID-19 positive tests is on the rise, suggesting that things are only going to get worse over the next few weeks.This completely preventable rise in transmission is tragic by almost every measure. But, Eric Schmitt (the Show Me State's Republican attorney General) has not stopped Schmitt from going to war against local restrictions on health that are intended to reduce transmission. Schmitt filed a suit to stop St. Louis County from enforcing the mask mandates for fully-vaccinated children and adults. This lawsuit took effect Monday.It is difficult to predict the timing of the lawsuit. It partially rests on outdated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which states that indoor environments are safe for fully vaccinated individuals. The lawsuit states that the Mask Mandates are arbitrary because they require vaccinated people to wear masks despite CDC guidance. The lawsuit's rest didn't claim that masks are ineffective in reducing transmission, but claimed they were unnecessary for children despite the fact that they are not eligible for vaccinations and that their use is "unconstitutional." The lawsuit also criticized the language in the mandates, claiming that they didn’t define "dwelling".Tuesday's CDC change in mask policy was based on evidence that even fully vaccinated individuals are spreading the hypertransmissible beta coronavirus variant. However, this is occurring at lower rates than those who have not been vaccinated. The agency recommends that all children be vaccinated in kindergarten through 12th grade and that adults who are fully vaccinated wear masks indoors in public places if there is a high or significant risk of transmission. The CDC has determined that both St. Louis and the county have high levels COVID-19 transmission.AdvertisementFreedoms and liesSchmitt isn't giving up. Although his office didn't immediately respond to Ars' request, Schmitt took to Twitter to criticize the CDC update."People are tired being lied too by elites and the ruling class," Attorney General Schmitt tweeted Tuesday evening. We were told to get vaccinated, and that you don't need to wear a mask. The vaccinated are now required to wear masks in St. Louis. Children are also forced to wear masks. These lies continue."Quinton Lucas, Kansas City's Democratic mayor, announced Wednesday that he would also reinstate the indoor mask mandate for all children five years and older. Schmitt quickly stated that he would also sue to stop the mandate.Schmitt tweeted Wednesday, "To the great citizens of Kansas City: To protect your freedoms, I will be filing suit." This mask mandate is not about science and control but politics. "You are not citizens, but subjects of the most free country in the world. I will always fight to protect you."Although it is not clear how the lawsuits will turn out, Mayor Lucas already stated that he plans to fight back. His office released the following press release:In light of recent litigation between Missouri and St. Louis County, Mayor Lucas will introduce a resolution to support emergency actions by the City Council in the coming weeks. Mayor Lucas joins Mayor Tishaura and County Executive Sam Page to protect Missourians from COVID-19.The mask mandate was also supported by County Executive Page in St. Louis. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he stated that the fate of the mandate will be decided by the courts, but that the law remains in force "until then." Page claimed that masks are needed to reduce transmission and ensure more people are vaccinated. He said, "These cases and this curve are shooting straight up." "We're going to end up in a bad place if we don’t take quick decisions."
