WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Protesters who oppose a city ordinance requiring that masks be worn in public to prevent the spread of the coronavirus gathered outside Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple’s home Saturday.The Wichita City Council voted 4-3 Friday in a special meeting called by Whipple to require masks in public. The Sedgwick County Commission had voted Thursday to opt out of a statewide mask mandate from Gov. Laura Kelly, which the law allows them to do.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A protest has been organized at our home today over the mask ordinance. The FB event has over 100 RSVPs. I am thankful for the right to protest. For those gathering, please stay safe. We stocked a cooler with drinks for you. Stay hydrated. Happy Independence Day everyone! 🙂🇺🇲 <a href="https://t.co/DMotWpGgJl">pic.twitter.com/DMotWpGgJl</a>&mdash; Dr. Brandon Whipple (@BWhippleKS) <a href="https://twitter.com/BWhippleKS/status/1279461559224414209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The ordinance requires people to wear masks in public places where 6-foot social distancing is not possible.The roughly eight protesters didn’t wear masks and didn’t meet the 6-feet social distancing guideline, which means they could have been fined $25.Three Wichita officers stood near the protesters.“... At this time we are choosing education over enforcement. Especially because it is a new ordinance,” Sgt. Brian Mock said.Others around Wichita on Saturday weren’t wearing masks, either.At a Kwik Shop near Whipple’s home, two of 12 people wore masks. One of two employees wore a mask. The one who did said she couldn’t force customers to wear masks and the employee not wearing a mask was her boss.

Mask opponents protest at Wichita mayor's home