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(WWJ) Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel says the county will not issue a local health order requiring people to wear masks in public.
This comes after a Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the law Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used to issue the statewide mask mandate and other COVID-19 related orders was unconstitutional.
Oakland County issued a local health order Saturday ordering all residents to wear masks when they leave their homes; and word is that Wayne County officials are working on, and are expected to issue a similar order.
[Macomb County residents: Take a survey from the health dept. here]
WWJ's Charlie Langton reports, however, that some in the legal arena are questioning whether such orders are valid.
"Now a lot of health directors are issuing orders that you must wear a mask — it's mandatory," Langton said Monday.
"But there's obviously some constitutional issues here as to whether or not they can even do it now that the Supreme Court said last Friday that the governor's authority was unconstitutional," Langton said. "If the governor has no authority, now a state health director or county health director has the authority?"
While Hackel said Sunday that Macomb County will not mandate masks, he still encourages people to wear them — for now.
The question is, he told WWJ: "When does this end? When there's a vaccine? When wer'e looking at a certain percentage of tests positive? So, those questions are unanswered, and that's why I think you need the Legislutre to weigh in to make a determination."
In the meantime, Hackel said there won't be any mandatory orders from the county because there is simply no way to enforce them.
Macomb County visitors and residents should note, however, that businesses can make their own rules, and may still require people to cover their faces or be refused entry or service.
Also important to keep in mind: Whitmer maintains that, while her orders may be invalid, the state health department issued its own mask order. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Whitmer insisted that the order by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon remains in effect.
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If you live in Macomb County, official wants to know what residents think about all this.
The Macomb County Health Department has launched a county-wide health survey designed to "address the needs and priorities of the community," saying this is your change to tell leaders how to make the county a healthier and safer place for families.
Everyone who lives, works and plays in Macomb County is encouraged to fill out the survey, which takes about five to ten minutes to complete. Survey questions ask residents how they've been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic in addition to other important health issues.
You can take the survey online at THIS LINK.
As of Monday, the officials were reporting 14,408 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Macomb County, including 978 people who died. A total of 11,548 Macomb County residents who were infected are considered to be officially recovered. For more coronavirus stats and information from the Macomb County, visit macombgov.org/Covid19.