Masks required in county’s government buildings
HOT SPRINGS — Protective face masks must be worn to enter Garland County government buildings under an executive order issued Monday by County Judge Darryl Mahoney.
Mahoney said the order proceeded from last week’s recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending masks be worn in public settings where it’s difficult for people to maintain a distance of 6 feet from each other.
“We’ve got masks for everyone who works here, and they will be encouraged to wear them,” he saaid. “We will not be allowing anyone in the county government buildings without a mask.”
The order was issued under the authority of the emergency powers Mahoney invoked March 16. He said masks that cover the mouth and nose are acceptable.
“They can make a cloth one,” he said. “Some people who ride motorcycles have something you can pull up
over your face. Whatever they’ve got we’ll allow that in. They’re going to have to keep it on at all times while they’re in the building.”
Carriers of covid-19 can have no symptoms, which contributes to the underlying virus’ high rate of transmission. Masks protect the public
from asymptomatic carriers, according to Dr. Gene Shelby, the county’s health officer.
“Masks don’t really seem to protect the person wearing it, but if someone is infected it decreases the amount spread of the virus,” he said. “It’s showing 10 percent to 25 percent of the people who get the virus are asymptomatic. If you know you’ve got people out there who are asymptomatic who have the virus, if everybody wears a mask then those people would be less likely to transmit the virus.”
The Arkansas Department of Health reported 42 Garland County residents had tested positive for the disease by Monday afternoon. The positives represent more than 6% of the 647 test results the Department of Health had reported for Garland County as of Monday afternoon, similar to the rate of infection for the 12,845 test results the department reported statewide.
Monday’s mask directive is the latest precaution the county has taken against the coronavirus. Measures already in place include using Plexiglas to shield personnel in county buildings from the public and using no-touch thermometers to screen people for fevers at the entrance of buildings.
“We’re using those to make sure no one has a fever,” Mahoney said. “If they do, they’re not allowed in the building.”
The state Supreme Court on Monday extended its suspension of in-person court proceedings through May 1. Three of the county’s four circuit court divisions are in the Garland County Courthouse. Mahoney said the high court’s order has contributed to what he estimated has been a 75% reduction in foot traffic at the courthouse.
The order was issued under the authority of the emergency powers Mahoney invoked March 16. He said masks that cover the mouth and nose are acceptable.