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Governor Kay Ivey has issued a mask requirement for the state of Alabama. The order came down in a press conference yesterday morning. The governor cited the troubling increase in Covid-19 cases in the past weeks for taking this dramatic step.
The Mandate
Starting on Thursday, July 16 at 5:00 PM, everyone will have to wear a face mask in public when they are around others. Violators of the order could face a $500 fine and possibly jail time. This initial order will last until July 31st.
Masks must be worn in public places where you will be in a crowd within 6 feet of each other. They must also be worn on public transportation. Masks must be worn at outdoor gatherings in public spaces where more than 10 people are present.
There are exceptions listed in the order. Children under the age of 6 are not required to wear a mask. You don’t have to wear one in certain situations, such as public speaking, eating or drinking, or medical and dental procedures.
People with certain medical conditions or disabilities are not required to wear a mask.
Any variety of face masks may be used, as long as it covers the mouth and nostrils. Paper or cloth masks are fine. One could even use a bandana. The point is to reduce the number of airborne particles that come out of your mouth when talking and coughing from spreading.
The statewide order supersedes any current local orders on masks. Citizens should make sure they are in compliance with the state order.
Opposition
Face masks have become a political hot button issue during the Covid-19 pandemic. A number of conservatives have come out against mask mandates, arguing they violate personal freedoms. Some have even tried to argue that face masks are not effective, though this is scientifically inaccurate.
Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth quickly came out against Governor Ivey’s mask mandate. Ainsworth admitted that wearing a mask was one of the best ways to slow the spread of Covid-19, but stated the mandate was a step too far. He lamented the big government, one size fits all approach of Ivey’s mandate.
This isn’t the first time Ainsworth has publicly challenged one of Ivey’s Covid-19 positions. In the early days of the outbreak, he complained about the state’s lack of a response. He then helped craft Alabama’s reopen plan that rushed the economy back open before the outbreak was contained. Many view Ainsworth’s actions as an opening salvo in a bid for the governor’s chair.
The opposition to face mask mandates does not have much legal footing. Previous court rulings have confirmed the states’ broad powers in fighting a public health crisis.
How Long Will This Last
The mandate is set to expire on July 31st, but it could be extended. The US saw 71,000 new cases of Covid-19 yesterday. Our neighboring states are getting hit worse than we are, and they have yet to mandate the wearing of masks. This whack-a-mole approach has led to hotspots popping up all over the country at different times.
Even if compliance is high and Alabama manages to slow community spread, we will be susceptible to future outbreaks from our neighboring states. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp just banned municipalities from having their own mask mandates. Florida has become the new epicenter of the pandemic. Alabama is in a precarious position.
With trouble all around us, I expect the Alabama mask requirement to last throughout the summer.