Viral letter claiming Reeves ‘abolished’ COVID-19 mask mandate is fake, officials warn
A fake letter claiming that Gov. Tate Reeves “abolished” Mississippi’s COVID-19 mask mandate as of Oct. 1 has gone viral on social media.
Over the weekend, officials with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency sent out a warning about the scam letter and said that there has been no order from the governor to end mask mandates.
The scam letter appears to be legitimate, MEMA officials said, though it is fake and has been shared with residents by email or through social media posts. The scam document includes Reeves’ signature and a photo of the governor.
“This is a formal letter all of the residents and businesses in Mississippi, the beginning of October 2020 the statewide mask requirements will be abolished,” the letter says.
The letter says the statewide mask requirements are set to end on Oct. 1, and that no business can refuse someone entrance into their shops if they are not wearing a mask. In addition, the letter erroneously says that all businesses must take down any signs reflecting that masks had to be worn before going inside the stores.
The fake letter claims Reeves took the action to end the statewide mask mandate on Sept. 17, something MEMA officials and local lawmakers warned was not true.
The governor’s latest executive for mask mandates remains in effect statewide until Sept. 30, at which time the governor could decide to extend the requirements.
To access the governor’s executive orders, visit the secretary of state’s website.
This story was originally published September 28, 2020 at 11:30 AM.
