The Salt Lake County Council on Thursday met to debate the county health department's 30-day order that required masks indoors.

The council ultimately voted 5-4 to keep the order remain in place.

Councilmembers scheduled Thursday's special meeting after the Salt Lake County Health Department issued a 30-day mask order amid surging COVID-19 numbers.

Live streamed video from the meeting showed maskless spectators holding signs and reacting as councilmembers made statements and votes. Chair Laurie Stringham had to make several requests for the crowd to stay silent so the audio could be maintained for those attending remotely.

Five of the councilmembers attended the meeting virtually, one of whom - Aimee Winder Newton - was dealing with a COVID-19 infection.

Newton had previously stated she supported a temporary mask order.

"Right now this virus is hitting so fast and furious that we need to do all we can to slow it down through layered approaches, and using every tool in the tool box," she said during the meeting, "even masks."

Councilman David Alvord voted in favor of overturning the mask mandate, while also calling for civility among the council's constituents.

"I just wanted to ask that everyone show a great deal of respect to all of the elected officials, no matter how they vote today," he said. "That's so important that we have good people willing to run, that don't feel hostility towards them when they make these important decisions."

Councilwoman Ann Granato voted against overturning the order, adding,"My research on this issue has been extensive, and my position is informed by overwhelming input from my district."

Councilmen Richard Snelgrove and Steve DeBry voted in favor of removing the mandate, while Councilman Arlyn Bradshaw voted against.

Councilwoman Dea Theodore voted to overturn the mandate, saying masks and vaccinations "aren't doing their jobs."

The deciding vote came down to Stringham, who made clear that she was not in favor of mask mandates.

"I have been very frustrated because the only thing this council gets the right to do is either uphold the mandate or overturn it," she said.

She also acknowledged that if the council voted to let the mask order stand, there were state legislators who were ready to overturn it.

Stringham also expressed frustration with her colleagues on the council for not helping to pull the community together to find ways to tackle the issue without having to resort to government mandates.

"It's amazing how many people were unwilling to talk to me because they just wanted to make a statement and take a political position," she said.

Stringham said she has scheduled a meeting with state leaders to come up with a plan "that will allow choice."

"But until that happens and we have a plan, I will let (the health order) stand and we will call another meeting," she said.