On January 28, 2021, the Lyon County Board of County Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution declaring an “economic emergency” that has developed due to COVID-19 directives issued by the governor which has put “restaurants, bars, casinos, brothels and other dining and entertainment industry businesses in danger of permanent closure.”
In an effort “to avoid irreparable economic damage” to the county, the commission urges Lyon County businesses to “continue to operate within the Governor’s ‘emergency directives’ in good faith” while allowing them “to determine how and if to implement those directives relative to their business model.”
In his comments, Commissioner Wes Henderson thanked Commissioner Ken Gray and Commissioner Vida Keller for “including brothels in the resolution.”
“Our brothels are a legal industry in Lyon County,” the commissioner continued, “and they have been unfairly singled out by the governor. If I want to go get a tattoo today, I can go get a tattoo. If someone wanted to go get a body piercing today, they can go get their body pierced. But they can’t visit a brothel. And that’s just not right and it is hurting this county financially.”
In response, Suzette Cole, owner and CEO of Lyon County’s four legal brothels, issued the following statement…
“Despite having agreed to implement a comprehensive plan of COVID-related health and safety protocols that meet or exceed those recommended by the governor, Lyon County’s brothels continue to be the only businesses in the county that remain completely and totally shut down by the governor’s directives.
“We are enormously grateful to the Lyon County Board of Commissioners for recognizing that legal brothels are an essential business that provide a valuable service, employment for hundreds of workers, and tax revenue for the county.
“We are reviewing today’s declaration of emergency with legal counsel and will be making a decision on reopening for business in a safe and responsible manner in the future.”
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