SC counties, cities without mask rules ‘need to consider having some,’ says McMaster
South Carolina’s cities and counties without mask requirements “need to consider” adopting rules, said Gov. Henry McMaster a day after the state’s health department showed that the spread of COVID-19 has slowed down in areas with mask rules.
“They need to consider having some,” McMaster said Thursday at Wateree Elementary School, the second leg of his school district tour to announce the state’s $10 million in spending on personal protective equipment for schools. “They need to examine their situation and see what would work in their communities and then pass that and then enforce it, because they have complete authority to do that. It’s called home rule. They have the authority.”
State health officials on Wednesday said mask ordinances showed COVID-19 positive cases dropping.
The state has logged more than 100,000 confirmed virus cases since March. More than 2,000 people have died.
But, in areas with mask rules — about 40% of the state — the Department of Health and Environmental Control reported there’s been an average 15.1% drop in the total number of new cases throughout the four weeks after the mask rules were passed.
Meanwhile, in communities without mask rules, DHEC reported a 30% increase in cases.
Asked whether he should have put in place a statewide mask rule, knowing now what he knows about the effectiveness of masks, McMaster did not express support for a statewide rule, saying that that authority lies with local governments. Last month, McMaster issued an executive order putting in place a targeted statewide mask rule for public buildings, restaurants and some other businesses where crowds gather, including sports and entertainment venues.
“The counties and the municipalities and the cities all have the power to pass a mask ordinance, other distance ordinances, other things that fit their businesses, their people and everything there,” McMaster told reporters.
“A one-size-fits-all is not the best approach.”
State leaders have stressed wearing masks, in particular, to help save college and high school athletics. Football players, including in South Carolina, have promoted the “WeWantToPlay” movement, aimed at having a 2020 season under safe conditions.
“I’m in favor of football to happen,” McMaster said. “I’m in favor of all athletics to the extent that we can do it.”
Under his latest executive order, the governor allowed events with more than 250 people to occur, but only with the prior approval of the state’s Department of Commerce.
“I’m confident with the universities ... with the talent that they have in those institutions that they can produce a plan that will work,” McMaster told reporters. “Athletics, football is very important to this state. It’s very important to the athletes and their families. It’s important to the institutions. And all of us love good competition like that.”
This story was originally published August 13, 2020 at 12:56 PM.
