A judge on Thursday ruled that St. Louis County in Missouri cannot enforce its mask mandate for now. Circuit Judge Ellen “Nellie” Ribaudo issued a preliminary injunction ordering the county to stop taking action to enforce the mask mandate, while the court considers the full case. She said that her decision was made based on the law. “This court’s decision is purely one of the relevant laws,” Ribaudo said in her order (pdf). “The court notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has been a political issue since it first emerged in this country and has continued to be a political flash point for many.” A mask mandate was issued by St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and Health Director Faisal Khan on July 26. The county-wide mandate required masks in indoor public areas, as well as on public transportation, for all those aged 5 and above. In response, Missouri’s attorney general, …