Rodgers said Pour thought a lawsuit would be detrimental to her public health work in stopping the spread of the virus.

“The unfortunate thing is, this issue is a scientific matter that’s being politicized,” Rodgers said.

He added, “She didn’t want to get caught up in that.”

Stothert said she believes Pour is still considering a mask order. The mayor said Pour didn’t want to get caught in a legal battle.

“Adi is concerned about one thing, and that’s public health,” Stothert said.

Absent an order from Pour, the Omaha City Council will take up a mask ordinance sponsored by council members Chris Jerram, Pete Festersen and Ben Gray.

The proposal will go on the council agenda next week on Aug. 11.

Festersen and Jerram say they plan to seek an emergency ordinance, which would require approval of six of seven council members. If that fails, they’ll fall back on a regular ordinance, which requires only four votes. Festersen said he believes he has the fourth vote.

An emergency ordinance would go into effect immediately, while a regular ordinance would have to go through several steps: first reading next Tuesday, a subsequent public hearing and then a subsequent council vote.