‘Lost their minds.’ Strong reactions after Mississippi lifts its state mask mandate
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Mississippi mask mandate
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves is ending the state’s mask mandate during the coronavirus pandemic. Here are stories that you need to know.
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A decision by Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves to roll back the state’s mask mandate is drawing strong reactions from fans and critics alike.
Reeves announced the change Tuesday, signing an executive order to replace the current mandate with recommendations that will encourage, not require, residents to wear masks amid the coronavirus pandemic, McClatchy News reported.
“Our hospitalizations have plummeted, and our case numbers have fallen dramatically as well,” the Republican governor said on Tuesday. “In fact, our case numbers have fallen to the point where no county meets the original criteria for a mask mandate.”
The new order will take effect at 5 p.m. Wednesday and came on the heels of a similar announcement from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from residents and state leaders who argue that it is much too early to loosen COVID-19 safety restrictions. Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba blasted Reeves over the decision and said rescinding the statewide mask mandate would “put lives and businesses in jeopardy.”
“We’re making a decision [in Mississippi] to sabotage our efforts,” Lumumba told CNN’s Alisyn Camerota on Tuesday. “It is against the advice of our health experts, and it is premature. No one celebrates victory in the third quarter.”
Lumumba said his city, which is still dealing with a weeks-long water crisis after a winter storm slammed the region last month, will continue to require face coverings despite the governor’s latest executive order.
Resident Barbara Mooney said she’s “embarrassed” by Reeves’ leadership.
“Once again MS makes the news, not because we got it right ... because this governor has it wrong,” Mooney told McClatchy News. “I will continue wear a mask.”
Critics also took to social media to sound off on the governor’s decision.
“No mask mandate for who???,” one woman wrote on Twitter. “Idgaf I’mma still wear my mask. I can’t afford to get COVID again.”
“Texas and Mississippi gov’s lost their minds today ditching their mask mandate,” wrote another on Tuesday. “Thankful to be in Louisiana with a gov who believes in science and reiterated his long standing mask mandate today, despite what our neighbor state leadership is doing.”
An end to the mask mandate was welcomed by some who likened the decision to a “light at the end of the tunnel.”
Conservative firebrand Candace Owens also tweeted: “To all the leftists crying because Texas and Mississippi announced they will resume FREEDOM — did you know that you are still welcome to stay in your home all day and double mask? You don’t need a government mandate to be a paranoid recluse.”
Under Reeves’ new order, all mask restrictions in the state will be lifted with the exception of K-12 schools and indoor event venues, McClatchy News reported. Capacity at all indoor arenas will be capped at 50% while indoor venues for K-12 extracurricular activities will be limited to 25% capacity.
There are currently no capacity restrictions for outdoor areas at colleges and universities.
“The governor’s office is getting out of the business of telling people what they can and cannot do,” Reeves said.