The city of  Omaha has a new indoor mask mandate and its back on the books despite criticism and likely legal fights from top officials with the city and state.

Douglas County Health Director Dr. Lindsay Huse’s order goes into effect one minute after midnight.

Her decision met harshly by Gov. Pete Ricketts who is asking the Attorney General to consider legal action against Huse.

In addition Mayor Jean Stothert issued a statement ripping Huse for making the move without Stothert’s support. Just last night Stothert said she did not support a new mask mandate.

The fine for violating  the mandate is $500 and or six months in jail.

NCN’s Joe Jordan spoke with Huse about the enforcement and the political fall-out.

[See Joe's full interview above]

NCN's Joe Jordan: Did you blindside the Mayor with your announcement?

Dr. Huse: Absolutely not. She was made aware that this was my line of thinking last week.

NCN's Joe Jordan: (Stothert) released a statement saying a few months ago you said you wouldn't do this without her support and now you're doing it without her support.

Dr. Huse: Our situation is much different than it was in August...Our hospital capacity at that time was keeping up. Right now we have no hospital capacity. I don't know how to say that strong enough.

The three Republicans on the City Council have also come out against the mandate, which is up for review in four weeks.

Huse says if the virus backs off the mandate could end sooner than later but she says for now all the signs point in the other direction.