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Mask-Resistant North Dakota Town Battles Pandemic Spike

Matt Haines

   MEDORA, N.D. - One of America's least populous states, North Dakota
   recently surged to the top of the list of new COVID-19 cases per
   capita, registering more than 6,000 active cases and nearly 40,000
   overall among its residents who number fewer than 700,000.

   "It's obvious the state has a problem we haven't been able to solve
   yet," Travis Enders told VOA.

   Enders owns a wine bar in western North Dakota called
   MedoraUncork'dnestled in the small tourist town of Medora, which
   according to the last census, has a local population of just 112
   people.

   The COVID-19 surge has refocused debate on mask-wearing in a region
   known for resisting government mandates.

   "North Dakotans are a different breed," said hotel and saloon owner Jim
   Bridger. "We live in lots of open space -- on 40,000-acre ranches --
   and we're kind of socially distanced our whole lives. The same rules
   that are required in New York City might not be required in more remote
   areas."

   North Dakotans, Bridger said, don't love being told what to do. While
   he requires his staff wear masks at the hotel, he doesn't have the same
   rule at the saloon. There,he prefers to keep tables distanced and to
   deep clean the establishment each night rather than imposing a mandate.

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