For Immediate Release
December 9, 2020

Media Contact:
Angela Allmond, Communications Director
Oklahoma Democratic Party
angela@okdemocrats.org

More Cases. More Hospitalizations. More Deaths – But Still No Statewide Mask Mandate

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Democratic Party issued the following statement as COVID deaths continue to rise with no action by state leadership:

“With 2,297 new cases and 11 more deaths related to COVID-19 according to the Oklahoma Department of Health, we still do not have a statewide mask mandate. Stitt has snubbed his nose at the CDC guidelines. He has ignored the White House Task Force’s recommendations. He even encouraged family get-togethers over the Thanksgiving holiday despite health expert’s warnings of holiday surges,” stated Alicia Andrews, Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairwoman.

“It’s just sad. Sad that we have a state leader who panders to his extreme right anti-masks and anti-vaxer base at the expense of Oklahomans’ health and safety. His lack of action to implement a mask mandate as other states have done is both irresponsible and reckless as we move into the holiday season.

“Sadly, we will likely see an increase of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in Oklahoma over the following weeks without a state leadership role model to demonstrate to people how serious this virus is. We call on GOP State Legislators to act if their own state leader will not. Oklahoma’s Republican-Super-Majority must speak up and hold Stitt accountable for ignoring CDC guidelines and the White House’s recommendations. It’s time for state leadership to follow other states’ examples and do their job to protect Oklahomans. Oklahoma needs a mask mandate to curb this virus and reign in a state out of control,” concluded Andrews.

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For more information about the Oklahoma Democratic Party, visit the party website at okdemocrats.org, or call party headquarters at 405-427-3366.