Mixed reaction to New Hanover County indoor mask mandate

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Masks will return to New Hanover County as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations increase.

The New Hanover County Board of Health and Human Services voted unanimously on Tuesday to move forward with a proposed health rule to impose face covering in all indoor public places in the county.

A health rule requires 10 days public notice and the ability to comment from the public. In the meantime, the Board of Health and Human Services has asked Public Health Director David Howard to issue a culling order requiring all residents and visitors to comply with an indoor mask warrant. starting Friday at 5 p.m.

Once the mandate has started, the same will apply for the 10-day period during which the public can comment on the mandate.

WECT spoke to people after Tuesday’s announcement to get their first reaction to the new term and opinions were mixed.

The mandate essentially applies to all places where the public is allowed to assemble indoors: offices and workplaces, public transport and businesses.

Cheese Board owner Brad Nuznoff said it was the opposite of what they wanted to see, but supported the masking. He hopes people will continue to support local businesses even with the return of the masks.

“I think it’s important that we are wearing masks right now just to control that so that we can step back and continue living,” Nuznoff said. “I don’t know if that would affect my business per se, other than people who might not want to go out – stay home to stay safe. Hope people still go out and do their things – we just need to wear a mask. “

Donna Monroe visits the area from out of town. She works in the healthcare field in Concord, North Carolina, and doesn’t fully agree with the mandates. She believes that people should decide for themselves based on their situation.

“I’m a bit on the fence about the mandate. I think it depends on the situation, ”Monroe said. “It’s hard to individualize, but like because I’m in the health field and because I do what I do and have to be exposed as I am, personally my preference is to wear a mask because I don’t want to hurt you and I don’t want to hurt anyone else.

Derek Sellers will follow the mandate, but believes the mandate is an encroachment on the rights of individuals.

“This concerns me because if you can mandate this, what other mandates can come up?” So it’s kind of a slippery slope, ”Sellers said. “We are a free country. This country – here you are supposed to be allowed to do whatever you want, to make your own decisions, your own choices as an adult. Live your life the way you want to live it.

Steven Rodriguez said he believed many felt that getting the shot meant masks could come off.

“It’s pretty unfortunate because a lot of us have been vaccinated for the reason like ‘Hey let’s take off the masks,’ he said.

The 10-day public comment period begins at the same time as Friday’s term. These can be submitted through the county health and social services website or the county website.

On August 30, the Board of Health and Social Services will meet again to consider all comments and hold a public hearing. Then they will have another vote on adopting the rule.

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