| Governor Northam announced today that Virginians over the age of 10 will be required to wear a face covering in order to enter a myriad of establishments. This announcement comes over 10 weeks since Governor Northam declared a state of emergency due to COVID-19.
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, House Republican Caucus Chair Kathy Byron, R-Bedford, and House Republican Whip Jay Leftwich, R-Chesapeake issued the following statement:
“We are deeply concerned about Governor Northam’s actions today. It is unconscionable to require businesses to enforce a government mandate under threat of sanction from government agencies. This puts yet another burden on businesses already reeling from months of being shut down or severely limited.
“Throughout this episode, the Governor has acted inconsistently. Through his own actions the Governor has squandered his capital as a physician whose advice people would be willing to follow. Virginians would be much more likely to follow the suggestions of a leader who instills confidence and leads with consistency.” |
May 26, 2020 @ 5:39 pm
The governor has continuously worked to destroy Virginia, a once great state. The mask requirement is only going to hurt businesses and makes businesses out to be the bad guy. The masks can be virtually any kind of covering so obviously it is not to make people safe. This is simply a power grab and political statement.
May 27, 2020 @ 9:44 am
Does “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service” hurt business? No?
Face it, you are complaining about the requirement to wear a mask because it comes from a Democrat. This is a pandemic that is affecting all people, why would you want to make it political?
If our Governor was a Republican and issued this order, you wouldn’t have a problem with it.
May 27, 2020 @ 1:40 pm
I believe people are complaining because there is no scientific evidence to support that wearing “any” face covering provides protection. There is no mandate to what type of mask must be worn. Why mandate an action with no supporting evidence that will most assuredly impose more hardship on already struggling businesses and consumers? I am for the safety of all, but not for actions with little to no factual support. We can do many things because we hope it will help, but this is not the way we to support a functioning economy or the safety of people.
May 26, 2020 @ 5:45 pm
I am a small cafe in VA I need to open when will this nut let me open
May 26, 2020 @ 8:59 pm
Oh my God you people are just full of b*******. If Trump had told you he had to wear a mask you wouldn’t have an argument. I’ll Governors trying to protect us has nothing to do with Vie for power and he has not been inconsistent.
May 27, 2020 @ 6:11 am
Northam is a hypocritical piece of shit
May 27, 2020 @ 7:16 am
Wendi,
You are absolutely right, Gov. Northam has been consistent. He has always been a political hack that is playing “monkey see-monkey do”, along with the rest of the Democrat Governors surrounding Va. Most people can make decisions on their own, That’s what being an adult means, make your own decisions. Nobody cares what President Trump does except the snowflakes that rail against him. Personally I couldn’t care less what he does, mask or not. Also if I expect a politician to “protect” me, I’m already in deep sh**.
May 27, 2020 @ 7:51 am
If wearing a mask was extremely important than it would have been mandated prior to May 29th. The CDC has recommended wearing a mask while in public for a while, so the argument that people would be doing it if Trump requested it doesn’t make sense. Gov. Northam was caught not wearing his mask along with being less than 6 feet taking pictures with a citizen. Virginia citizens noted that Gov. Northam was being hypocritical, so this new mandate came out. The purpose of slow walking the economy in Virginia is purely political, as anyone knows people vote with their wallets. The death rate among healthy Americans is very low, even with inflated numbers where if you have the virus and die of another cause then the statistic is added to the COVID virus. The great thing is, all other deaths from other ailments have drastically been reduced because of the this virus. But sadly suicidal deaths are on the rise, people not going to the health professional because of the threat of catching the virus are on the rise. Common sense has been lost, it’s great to practice safe practices but you can’t shut down an economy for long periods of time simply for political reasons.
May 27, 2020 @ 8:36 am
The people of Virginia have been ask a lot and complied. Especially essential businesses and small business who were forced to close. Requiring the wearing of mask is just another way to enforce another burden on citizens who are already trying to do the best they can. Power in the hands of the wrong people is dangerous. People in the position of power should lead by example and Governor Northam is certainly not doing that. He isn’t wearing mask in public or practicing social distancing, or avoiding crowds of more than 10. People can’t afford a disposable mask every time they go out of the house and reusing them is a obvious health hazard. I also notice that people who are wearing them are touching their faces so much more than usual. Common sense should prevail, but that isn’t the case here. Do as I say, not as I do in the way things are. This administration fights hard for “Choice” that takes the live of the innocent, and then orders everyone to wear a mask. Murder is ok, but not wearing a mask is a criminal offence, and for how long? It should have stayed a choice for individuals and for me it will remain a choice. I hope President Trump visits Virginia and they try to make him wear a mask.