We the undersigned request that Bolivar, Missouri mandate face coverings to be worn in public locations.

Facial coverings have been proven to be effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Our community has been strongly encouraged to utilize this preventative measure by the Polk County Health Center, Citizens Memorial Hospital, our government officials as well as the CDC and WHO. Despite these urgings, our businesses and public gathering locations still serve large numbers of unmasked individuals everyday.

The number of residents infected by COVID-19 in Polk County has grown exponentially. Our community is seeing an increase in lives lost to this highly contagious virus. Our local hospitals are nearing their staffing and capacity limits to care for the critically ill COVID-19 positive patients in our community. Our nursing home staff are working tirelessly to care for their residents while COVID-19 threatens to run through our most vulnerable population.

We the undersigned are calling on the Bolivar City Council to mandate masks in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community.