To help slow the spread of COVID-19, the Starke County Health Department is mandating the use of masks or face coverings beginning Wednesday, July 22 at 12:01 a.m. CT.
The order was presented to the Starke County Commissioners Monday night for information and readers can access the order below.
Every business and employer in Starke County must take the steps necessary to ensure that all employees, customers and visitors comply with the order.
Starke County Health Officer Dr. Thomas Browne said the Public Health Order is being enacted to keep residents safe.
Dr. Browne stated, “It’s the right thing to do at this time to try to protect the health of the citizens of our county. I’m sorry if it places anybody in a difficult position, but I think we have to take this very seriously and do the right thing. I would stress that hand washing and social distancing remain equally as important as wearing the mask.”
Dr. Browne added that the use of face coverings for a few weeks could reduce the number of people who become infected with COVID-19. He also wants a safe start to the school year.
Commissioner Kathy Norem supported the order. She noted that there are no fines or penalties involved and encourages the public to comply with the order.
Commissioner Bryan Cavender stated that he does not support the order and has heard from several members of the public who would not agree with the order. However, he stated that he will comply with the order.
Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch stated that the Health Department is attempting to keep everyone in the county as safe as possible.
“It’s either this or it’s going back to the whole stay-at-home orders,” commented Lynch. “This is like an alternative. I’m not saying this is going to beat it, this is going to fix it, this is going to stop it. Right now this is all we can do is to try and slow it down as much as we can.”
It was noted that surrounding county health departments are implementing similar orders to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
The order will in effect until the number of positive COVID-19 cases start to dwindle.
