Buffalo, NY (WBEN) As Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says the possibility of a return to mask mandates is in the air, some businesses, hit hard by last year's shutdown, are reacting with fear and anxiety.
Things have gone well at Catalyst Fitness, says Amy Bueme, since the mask mandates were removed. "Every day, just getting better, the members are feeling better, mentally and physically. The masks are coming off as people are getting vaccinated, and people loving to see other people's faces. The energy has just been tremendous," says Bueme.
The only challenge has been staffing. "It's still hard to get back to a full staff, because unemployment is still being paid. We can't get back to a full staff because the money's not there yet," says Bueme.
But if the mask mandate comes back, getting compliance may not be easy. "I don't know if the members will want to comply. It was hard near the end to remind people, put your mask on, put your mask up, cover your nose," says Bueme. "People were vaccinated and they were over it, so if I'm really going to struggle, I know the members and the people of WNY will struggle."
Over at Classic Lanes, Managing Member Jeffrey Haber says there have been no problems since the mask mandate was dropped. "We have noticed the change in infection rates, but as far as our business goes, nothing has changed," says Haber. He says some customers wear masks, and some who are vaccinated still wear a mask, he says that's a personal choice.
Haber says he will follow any mask mandate, although he hopes it doesn't happen. "Hopefully whatever decision will be based on the science and public health policy, and if it does happens, it will for as short a period as possible," notes Haber.
Haber says aside from an occasional reminder, his customers were compliant with mask mandates last year.
