Governor Henry McMaster said he would not order southern Carolinians to wear masks in public amid the COVID-19 pandemic because such a mandate would be unenforceable.
But cities that have written their own masking rules in the past few months say the application has been surprisingly easy.
In the entire state of Palmetto, only a few companies have had problems for not requiring employees or customers to wear masks. This is not a sign that the rules are not being enforced, city leaders say, but proof that SC residents, tired of the virus, finally believed that wearing a mask will help stem the spread of respiratory disease. mortal.
“People are realizing that it is something we need to do,” said Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune, whose city has cited only three companies for non-compliance since the approval of its July 2 ordinance. “It makes people feel more secure. It is becoming more common every day. “
As more evidence emerges that widespread use of masks can help contain the virus, many city and business leaders remain baffled that the governor continues to resist calls for a state order.
“Looking back now on everything we’ve done and seen, I wish we had mandated the state for everyone from the start,” said Bobby Williams, CEO of Lizard’s Thicket restaurant chain and president of SC Restaurant and Association of Accommodation.
“This is the only thing I would change,” he said. “I know (McMaster) goes on to say that you can’t enforce this, but it’s easier if everyone does it together. I think the customers accepted it. Everyone is wearing a mask. “
City leaders have created hotlines for employees and customers to report businesses that are not following the rules. They sent police officers to check out the shops and restaurants that generate complaints. Most companies quickly get in line, say city leaders.
West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles said the city had cordial conversations with two gas stations, a grocery store, a fast-food restaurant and a personal services company that was initially not following the rules.
“I don’t think they were trying to be challenging,” said Miles. “They just didn’t realize it was in place. We found no active resistance. “
So far, more than 70 cities and counties have passed mask decrees, covering more than 40% of the state’s population.
Last week, the state Department of Environmental and Health Control released data indicating that these laws are helping to combat the highly contagious coronavirus.
Cities and counties that enacted mask requirements this summer saw their COVID-19 case numbers drop by an average of 15.1 percent over the next four weeks, the DHEC analysis found. Areas without masking rules saw their cases increase by 30.4% during the same period.
DHEC officials expect to see similar results when this analysis is updated with more recent figures later this week.
“This shows that the sooner preventive measures are adopted, the sooner we will all benefit,” wrote epidemiologist Linda Bell of these findings.
At the end of last month, McMaster issued an order demanding the use of masks inside certain establishments, including restaurants and cinemas. The Columbia Republican encouraged cities and counties to pass their own mask rules. But he stopped by a state order.
“The governor has encouraged and continues to encourage local governments to adopt facial coverage decrees tailored to their specific communities,” said McMaster spokesman Brian Symmes. “He continues to believe that this is the most effective way to enact this type of decree. A statewide mandate remains unworkable and impractical.”
Of course, if issued, a mask decision across the state may encounter resistance. Last week, the Kershaw County Council voted against requiring residents to wear masks, citing residents’ resistance.
Kershaw County Council President Julian Burns said his extensive county would have difficulty enforcing a masking mandate, saying that such rules are better suited to more compact cities like Camden. Instead, he said, the county embarked on public information campaigns about the importance of wearing masks in public spaces.
“It’s based on the simple fact that Americans will do the right thing if you take the time to talk to them about it,” said Burns.
And some local governments have already failed to enforce the governor’s previous COVID-19 executive orders.
On Saturday, the Myrtle Beach Speedway welcomed a crowd of 3,000 to its final run, a violation of the governor’s ban on large gatherings.
In mid-July, local authorities in the Horry County Emergency Management Department granted a special exemption allowing a crowd of more than 250 people to gather at a local bar for a concert. Photos of the crowded crowd, with the majority of participants wearing no masks, went viral.
Still, SC Municipal Association spokesman Scott Slatton says McMaster’s claim that a state rule could not be enforced is not valid. The order would be carried out by city and county police officers who are already enforcing their own decrees, said Slatton.
City and business leaders said an order from the governor would have more symbolic weight than local laws, although perhaps the ideal time for such a declaration was months ago.
In most cities, enforcement has been as simple as going to restaurants and stores and reminding them of the law after complaints arrive, city leaders say.
Cities like Aiken, Florence, Greenville, North Myrtle Beach and North Charleston did not issue any citations or fines.
Columbia issued a total of $ 600 in fines to three companies. Charleston has so far fined 14 business owners, far more than any other city in the state, for not requiring its employees to wear masks. They range from carriage and walking tours to restaurants and retail stores.
“It wouldn’t be a big leap for locals to have to apply it beyond what the governor is already demanding,” said Slatton. “And as you are discovering, there is really not much to do. People are complying because they know that this is the law ”.
Some mayors said their mask decrees were initially controversial, angering some at virtual council meetings and on the city’s Facebook pages. But city leaders said the resistance ended soon after the laws were passed.
“It has been a very cooperative process here,” said Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon, whose city did not have to issue any mention of the masks. “Most of our businesses welcomed this and encouraged us to approve a mask ordinance. encouraged them. “