Local physician shares update on wearing masks in Cook County

There’s a renewed push and calls to action by some local residents in Cook County, including members of the downtown Grand Marais Business Coalition, the Grand Marais City Council and the Cook County Board of Commissioners, requesting that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz take an official stance on requiring a face covering while in public places.

The city council and county board both requested that the governor set in place a statewide mandate that would require people to wear masks in public places. During this week’s meeting of the county board, approximately 45 comments were submitted and shared publicly supporting such a notion.

At this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, and given the high number of people who continue to visit Cook County and the North Shore each weekend, WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Dr. Kurt Farchmin from Sawtooth Mountain Clinic in Grand Marais about face coverings and if requiring a mask in public is a good idea for the community at this time.