LINCOLN- Masks are now being mandated in all indoor places as the COVID-19 risk dial is now notched to the 'severe' category, according to the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department. Two consecutive weeks of record cases in the county triggered this decision. Being in the red signal will not warrant a citywide shutdown, the mandate is simply in place to slow transmission.

Pat Lopez, the Health Director, says churches should go virtual, employers should continue with teleworking and everyone should avoid large public or family gatherings. The county saw 90 new cases on Friday, but there were no new deaths. It was also a local record for hospitalizations with 118 people total in the city's hospital systems, with nine people being on ventilators.

Contact tracers are finding that spread among small groups from different households with prolonged contact and no masks are becoming a huge issue in the state. Co-workers who are distanced but are not wearing masks are also spreading the virus. Chancellor Ronnie Green of UNL says the university's daily numbers have remained relatively stable over the past month. He continued on to say that virtual learning and work opportunities need to remain an option. Lincoln churches have also started to notify members that because of current state of cases, and many will return to virtual services.

Gaylor Baird said, "As the community prepares to observe Veterans Day, Lincoln residents should look to the sacrifices made during World War II for perspective on the restrictions and guidance now aimed at keeping an invisible virus at bay."

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