Increase in COVID-19 Cases-Atlanta Mayor Mandates Mask

An executive order is now in effect after Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms reinstated the mask mandate announced by her office on Tuesday. The mandate, which went into effect December 21, is in response to the increase in Covid -19 cases, and after Mayor-elect Andre Dickens tested positive for the new Omicron variant. The mandate requires that not only must masks be worn in public buildings but in private businesses as well.  The mandate, which was lifted in early November, when the cases were in the green zone; at their lowest, according to Atlanta’s color-coded system.  Atlanta has now moved from the “green zone” back into the “yellow zone.” Due to the heightened awareness of the pandemic, the “Yellow Zone,” is now in full effect.  Described in the COVID-19 Resilience Plan, which tracks the status of the pandemic, the Yellow Zone is described as daily cases averaging between 75-249 per day and, hospitalizations between 201-349, per day.  “We are watching the data daily and will continue to engage experts for guidance on how best to provide for the safety and wellbeing of our communities,” said Bottoms in a statement.  Mask mandates and fines up to $50 will be imposed for individual noncompliance. If someone violates the order by refusing or fails to comply after being given a warning by a city officer, the individual may be subject to $25-50 fines for any subsequent offenses, according to the executive order signed by Bottoms.  In addition, the mandate will allot for temporary moratorium on residential evictions within the City of Atlanta.  

Criticized for the Mayor’s order, Spokeswoman Katie Byrd for Gov. Brian Kemp, describes the order as “these mandates only create division and unnecessarily divert critical resources. Governor Kemp is fully vaccinated and boosted, and he will continue to urge Georgians to talk with their doctor about the benefits of getting the vaccine or receiving the booster shot.  Ultimately, he feels that we must trust our citizens to do what’s right for themselves and their families,” said Boyd.  

Notwithstanding, the upsurge in omicron variant cases, getting vaccinated, receiving your second shot, and getting your booster shot, seems to safeguard most people from developing COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations.  The resistance and resilience of the spread and influx of the virus is solidified through proper wearing of masks, the practice of social distance, vaccines and booster shots recommended by the CDC.

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