Doniphan County Opt Out Masks (7-2-20)

Doniphan County Opt Out Masks (7-2-20)

Deaths.

If you are a kansas resident -- or heading to the state for the holiday -- what county you step foot into -- will determine whether you are required to wear a mask.

Kq2's madeline mcclain found out what the state's chief medical expert says to do when you don't know the local rules.

Madeline mcclain, kq2 news: masks have become a contentious issue.

I'm standing in front of the doniphan county courthouse and here the commissioners voted not to mandate masks.

Why did they do that?

Because the state mandated them.

When kansans wake up friday will be required to wear a mask they wake up in.gov.

Laura kelly, d-kansas: "i'm announcing 12:01 july 3rd every kansas in a public space must wear a mask."statewide cases have been trending in the wrong direction.dr. lee norman, kansas department of health and environment: "we are in the middle of a bad convergence.

10 days 2500 cases.

That's evidence enough."

The order says masks must be worn in most indoor public spaces and outdoor areas where social distancing isn't possible.children under 5 and those with medical conditions are exempt.gov.

Laura kelly, d- kansas: one of the big problems we've had throughout this pandemic is mixed messages and i think this is one that needs to be clear.

This is all we've got to fight this virus and it's up to each one of us to do our part."the governor executive order sent counties scrambling to counter with their own local laws before the holiday weekend.

Sheryl pierce, doniphan county health dept.: we are six feet apart and we are social distancing i'm going to remove my mask.

The board of county commissioners acting as our board of health were instrumental in starting our resolution.

That said that masks would be recommended but not required.

Doniphan county has had only 25 cases of coronavirus.all but one has recovered.science isn't the issue for doniphan county.

Sheryl pierce, doniphan county health dept:"keep some of the virus from shedding."doctors and officials are in near universal consensus...dr. lee norman, kansas department of health and environment: "your mask protects me.

My mask protects you."gov.

Laura kelly, d-kansas: when the pandemic first hit there was mixed messaging about masks.

But it is necessary to avoid another shutdown.it's just not practical for some counties to enforce.sheryl pierce, doniphan county health dept: "while we strongly, strongly recommend that masks be worn, we believe in the science behind the masks, we don't know how that would be enforced so we felt like if we can't enforce it, why would we have a mandate like that."

Plenty of counties have gone the other direction too -- johnson, wyandotte, douglas counties all mandate masks -- making for a confusing patchwork of laws.but the state's chief health officials says when in doubt of the local rules..dr. lee norman, kansas department of health and environment: "you wearing a mask."and do your best.

Sheryl pierce, doniphan county health dept: "we all need to look at science and make for our families and ourselves."

Reporting in county, madeline mcclain kq2 doniphan county wanted to remind residents that testing is offered monday and thursday each week -- and that they have thousands of masks they can give you for free -- all you have to