Breathing masks are now mandatory in Orleans, Jefferson and starting Friday, East Baton Rouge parishes.
That means 1.2-million Louisianans can’t go shopping without donning a mask to go in the store.
And while Governor John Bel Edwards has said he doesn’t want to order a statewide mask mandate, if the rapid spike in COVID-19 infection numbers don’t level out, that might be the next.
In Jefferson Parish, mandatory masking up is taking hold on its third day.
Customers without masks are quietly reminded they need a mask to enter the store, most retreat to the parking lot to retrieve the mask they have in the car and return.
And while the consensus among most shoppers is agreement and understanding, some still find wearing a mask to be intrusive, even divisive.
One gentleman was adamant about it:
“I’m all in favor of people wearing masks of they choose to wear the mask. I’m not certain it does any good, nobody knows. So what are you going to do, arrest people? The police need to function as police, and not go after people and that’s why I’m very disappointed.”
So while compliance is running above 90-percent in the impromptu visual survey outside Zuppardo’s, people are still entitled to their opinion, like one woman who said, “You are going against peoples First Amendment constitutional rights, but I guess if it slows the spread, it’s a good idea!”
Still others expressed questions over the efficacy of masks in general, like this person who experiences respiratory issues:
“I think it brings more harm to the body than good, cause you’re breaking in nitrous-oxide. I have a hard time breathing with thing on, I can feel it, and I feel like I’m going to pass out. You’re body’s not meant to keep on taking what your body’s putting out.”
Still, most of the folks we asked were in favor of masks and even favored a statewide mandate if needed.
One woman went so far in her endorsement of masks to crack: “I just hope it doesn’t cross into Mississippi ‘cause that’s where I go on the weekend!!!”
