MEMPHIS, Tenn. — If you’ve been out in public recently, you’ve probably noticed that same thing I have. A lot more people are wearing masks. But not everyone is doing the right thing that could help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
That’s disconcerting, to be sure. But the good news is, people are reporting violators much more often. As Local 24 News reported Thursday, some 880 mask violation complaints against businesses have been lodged to the city and the Shelby County health department. And the office of code enforcement has issued more than 370 citations to businesses all across the city.
The reason I say that’s good news, is because these complaints and citations are the result of conscientious citizens who get it. They agree with the science that wearing a mask in public – along with social distancing and handwashing – are the most effective ways to keep us safe from the coronavirus. Early on, plenty of people simply refused to wear masks – and tried to belittle and even intimidate those who were wearing them.
But once the city and health department mandated masks, people said OK. Which is why to everyone who has turned in a business for not following the rules, I say good for you.
We won’t get through this awful pandemic that has taken so many lives – without looking out for each other. So mask up, Memphis. And keep those complaints coming. And that’s my point of view.
