Mandates scarce in rural communities

It was business as usual this week in Watonga, a city of fewer than 3,000 residents known for its fall cheese festival. If someone tests positive, “then we’ll decide if we’ll do anything,” Watonga Mayor Gary Olsen said. “We’ll probably follow the federal and state guidelines for closing restaurants and the one bar in town.”

In stark contrast to Oklahoma City – which restricted restaurants and close…