Statewide Mask Mandate Not Likely

Cities, states and major retailers are beginning to roll out mask mandates with the hope of slowing a rise in coronavirus cases across the U.S. however, Missouri’s governor has made his stance clear.

Governor Parson supports local leaders making decisions

A statement from Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s Communications Director Kelli Jones said, “Governor Parson has no intentions to institute a statewide mask mandate.” She said the governor wants to leave the mask mandate decision up to local leaders.

“Governor Parson supports local leaders making decisions that they feel are best for their communities,” said Jones.

Gov. Parson has continued to encourage Missourians to wear a mask, especially when they can’t practice social distancing. However, he has shared several photos on his social media pages showing him without a mask while in close proximity to others at events.

Mask mandates across the country have met with strong criticism and there is still no empirical data that wearing masks actually helps decrease coronavirus cases. In California, one month after a statewide mask mandate, the daily coronavirus case average has increased by 162%.

The Clay County Public Health Center is mandating the use of face masks in all indoor areas of public accommodation in Clay County beginning Sunday, July 19th. This mandate comes despite a very low rate of coronavirus cases in the county.

Numbers in Clay County released on July 16th, show there were 579 coronavirus cases in the county, which has a population of 249,948. This equates to a positive case rate of 0.231%. The county had 20 deaths attributed to coronavirus which equates to a mortality rate of 0.008%.

As it relates to statewide reopening guidelines, Governor Parson’s communications director stated that the Governor does not plan to reintroduce any statewide closings.

KPGZ News - Jim Dickerson contributed to this report