Today residents in the City of Denton are reacting to the news that, according to city officials, it's time to mask up again.
Yesterday in an emergency meeting, the Denton City Council passed another mask mandate. It requires "universal indoor masking" to public schools, child care centers, businesses and city buildings.
"I hate this thing, I hate the pandemic," one man, a resident of Denton, says. "I don't want it to get bigger. But I don't think the masks help. I think it's more of a hindrance than a help."
Others totally disagree, saying they support the council's decision.
"Everything is so difficult, everything has been politicized," says Dusty Luthy, Pastor at Denton First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. "It's so unfortunate, but when you have friends and family who are getting sick-- who are dying-- you want to do everything you can to make this a better place."
Some Denton residents say they're pretty indifferent at this point.
"Eh, I think it's okay," one man says. "It's getting bad, so might as well start wearing a mask again."
"I've been vaccinated, I' ve had both my shots," another resident says. "If they don't have a sign up, I don't wear masks. But if there's a sign up I'll wear them, no problem."
Others say it will affect how they shop around town.
"I actually try to patronize businesses that do encourage masks. I feel more comfortable doing that-- I feel better about spending my money there," Pastor Luthy says.
One business owner disagreed: "If a business tries to stop me from going in there[without a mask], I'll just go somewhere else," he says.
"We have freedoms in this country, we ought to be able to express our freedoms," says another man. "But I also don't want to make anybody uncomfortable. So I'll go elsewhere."
City officials say wearing masks doesn't replace other mitigation strategies, like social distancing and hand washing. The mandate went into effect overnight and will last until September 30th
More information about the ordinance can be found here.
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