I like the way we are doing masks in Texas. No one is being forced to wear a mask by the government. But, in the Houston area, the counties are requiring businesses to require that all employees, and customers wear masks.
It really is the best of both worlds. When you walk into a store everyone is wearing a mask, but when you are walking down the sidewalk, since there is no government requirement, random Karens can't yell at you for not wearing one.
I'm not sure if its the best of both worlds if people are not complying. At some point its immaterial who is forcing you to do something, its whether or not the results are effective.
People in California must wear face coverings when they are in the high-risk
situations listed below:
• Inside of, or in line to enter, any indoor public space;
• Obtaining services from the healthcare sector in settings including, but not
limited to, a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician or
dental office, veterinary clinic, or blood bank;2
• Waiting for or riding on public transportation or paratransit or while in a
taxi, private car service, or ride-sharing vehicle;
• Engaged in work, whether at the workplace or performing work off-site, when:
• Interacting in-person with any member of the public;
• Working in any space visited by members of the public, regardless
of whether anyone from the public is present at the time;
Working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale
or distribution to others;
• Working in or walking through common areas, such as hallways,
stairways, elevators, and parking facilities;
• In any room or enclosed area where other people (except for
members of the person’s own household or residence) are present
when unable to physically distance.
• Driving or operating any public transportation or paratransit vehicle, taxi,
or private car service or ride-sharing vehicle when passengers are present.
When no passengers are present, face coverings are strongly
recommended.
• While outdoors in public spaces when maintaining a physical distance of
6 feet from persons who are not members of the same household or
residence is not feasible.
It's pretty rational guidance! Basically - can you put a safe distance between yourself and others? No, ok wear a mask. The last bullet point effectively removes Karen's ability to yell at you...though if you are less than 6ft from Karen without a mask on, I think she's within her rights to yell at you.
So you would have the governor mandate masks for the whole state? It's gonna take a hell of a lot of Karens to enforce that.
Or accept in good faith that the population is going to follow the law during the most severe public health crisis in a century?
