Some COVID-19 rules could change, Reeves says. What about MS mask mandate?
As comments rolled in from Mississippians asking for an end to the mask mandate on Gov. Tate Reeves’ latest Facebook Live, he had news for them.
“I wouldn’t expect it to expire on Monday,” he said.
“I’m exceptionally pleased with the effort of Mississippi, but I also think coming out of Labor Day weekend ... it is not likely that we will see a reduction in the need to wear masks statewide.”
Masks are working to bring down the spread of COVID-19, he said.
“I think people having a mask on makes them more conscious and more aware of their surrounding and they tend to get much less close to people,” he said.
The governor did say it’s possible some restrictions will be eased, like the number of people who can gather in outdoor groups.
But the 11 p.m. curfew on bars may not be one of them.
“What we have found — and this is certainly true in K-12 schools as well — is where there is structure, then we tend to do pretty well. It is when we get into those scenarios where there is not structure, such as bars at midnight ... that there is significantly more risk of the spread of the virus.”
Mississippi’s seven-day average of new cases is below 500 for the first time in nearly three months, Reeves said, down from a high of 1,381.
“I really would love to see us over the next several weeks continue to drive that number down so that when we get to October perhaps we can be at a spot where we can open up even more things.”
The governor also said he believes his tactic of not issuing a statewide mandate earlier was a good one.
“I have said from the beginning my reluctant to issue a statewide mask mandate was more because I believe that we could get more people to wear masks in those counties where we most needed them by being very specific, and that’s what we did.
“As I look back on it, I really do believe that played a significant role as we built up to the necessity of going statewide.”
Reeves did not say when he would sign a new executive order, or when he would announce any changes to the coronavirus restrictions.
Also announced Thursday, State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs will host an hour-long Facebook Live discussion with questions from the public at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept 15. It will be seen on the Mississippi State Health Department page.
Question can be submitted by noon Monday to web@HealthyMS.com (include DOBBS in the subject line).
