Alabama’s GOP Governor Issues Statewide Mask Order
Sarah Shaiman
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) has finally issued a state-wide mask order after exhausting all other options, The Hill reports.
- Over the past two weeks, Alabama has seen a 50 percent spike in coronavirus cases. Overnight, AL reported 2,141 cases, which brought the state’s total to almost 60,000.
The Hill reports:
Ivey, who was reluctant to issue a mask order earlier in the pandemic, said she believes it will be hard to enforce the order.
“I still believe this is going to be a difficult order to enforce, and I always prefer personal responsibility over a government mandate, and yet I also know with all my heart that the numbers and the data over past few weeks are definitely trending in the wrong direction,” she said.
- To date, more than 20 states have mask orders since citizens seem reluctant to take the health of themselves and others into account, post-mask politicalization.
- The mask order will be in effect until July 31. It requires masks to be worn when social distancing cannot be practiced or in gatherings of more than 10 people.
- However, Ivey is still planning to continue with the state’s reopening plans.