City of Fairbanks Mayor Jim Matherly wants people to wear masks when out in public to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Speaking at a city council meeting last night (Monday) he said some people have become lax about precautions as the pandemic has worn on and state health mandates have been lifted.
"Some folks have gotten complacent, I get that. Others are wearing them everywhere, and I applaud that. I also ask in my same statement for businesses to do the same. What we can't afford is another March - April."
Matherly was referring to the pandemic-forced economic shutdown that resulted in many people losing their jobs.
The mayor says he's not mandating mask-wearing, while noting the surrounding Fairbanks North Star Borough does not have the power to do so.