Now it’s mandatory: Masks must be worn in Pa.
MEDIA » The great masks showdown began Sunday.
That’s when a Pennsylvania state health order kicked in mandating that shoppers who don’t wear them be denied entry to stores.
The state health secretary decided in was in the best interest of the public for shoppers to equip themselves with masks despite conflicting opinions about the usefulness of them in preventing the spread of
COVID-19.
There’s no clear evidence masks protect healthy persons in community settings from contracting COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization, which nonetheless endorses the use of masks by health care workers working with infected patients.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone wear a mask although not to prevent the wearer from infection but to keep people with the virus from passing it on.
Locally it could get nasty as businesses have been told not to admit customers unless they’re wearing cloth masks, excluding those with medical conditions.
Shoppers at various Delaware County stores have mixed emotions about the state order. Some think ordering the masks is long overdue. Others wonder if masks really help.
Cecilia Lyon of Media wore a mask through her shopping experience Friday at Ollie’s on Baltimore Pike. She’s all-in on the initiative.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Lyon said. “And as Andrew Cuomo and Gov. Wolf said, I don’t want your germs infecting me and I don’t want my germs infecting you. So, I think it’s a great idea and if I can do it at my age any of these youngsters can do it. It’s not a big deal for people to do this for your health. I don’t think people were ready for this until they saw the numbers.”
Ollie’s was full of shoppers wearing masks. Only a few weren’t outfitted with the protective gear representing another very public reaction to the pandemic.
“You don’t know what’s going on as far as the virus,” said Chester County resident Dana Robinson, who assisted his mother on her shopping mission at Ollie’s. “Some people have symptoms. Some people don’t. So, it’s like a precaution. But I think (health authorities) should have been more aware of what was going on. I think they should have done more to try and get one step ahead of it. When everything was shutdown, they could have jumped on it right then and there. I live by the worst-case scenario. I look at the worst and if it’s not that bad I made out either way.”
In a lengthy line to get into Trader Joe’s in downtown Media, everybody had a mask. Not everyone agreed the protection was necessary, though.
A couple of men in line who declined to give their last names wondered about the fuss being made over masks.
“I’m really indifferent to it,” said Zac, who listed his residence as Rose Valley. “It’s not for me. It’s for other people. I don’t mind it. I get to go out an hour a day. So, wearing this is no big deal. I don’t care for it. It’s a little eerie. But it serves a purpose.”
Another man, Mike from Prospect Park, said he doesn’t know if the mask is effective.
“To be honest, I’m wearing one because I have to,” Mike said. “My wife makes me wear it. But other than that, I wash my hands and do everything else.”
Emily Watson of Upper Darby, one of the younger shoppers waiting to get into Trader Joe’s, also is a bit skeptical about the masks. She might not be wearing one if not for the suggestion by her mother.
“I definitely think it’s beneficial,” Watson said. “And it’s better than nothing. I guess they think it’s safer wearing a mask. Originally my mom was telling me you should wear a mask when you go grocery shopping. I do all the grocery shopping for the house. Itt’s her way of making sure I was safe when I go out. Now it’s just kind of like a courtesy to other people. I’m younger and I’m not as prone to the virus as other people could be. I’m not really worried about myself.”
At Weathers Motors, which has been operating for 98 years at the corner of Routes 1 and 452, owner Larry Weathers was bracing the latest state health order. This one isn’t nearly as tough as the legislation barring sales of autos. Weathers can fix cars and let shoppers test drive cars – he just can’t sell them. Taking a deposit is as good as it gets now.
“We’re doing the social distancing, we’re washing our hands, we have the shields up between us and the customers,” Weathers said. “We’re working with just the service department and it isn’t easy. Our Internet is still open. Sales leads are coming in. But we cannot sell a car. This is the toughest it’s ever been.”
If nothing else, the order requiring businesses and customers to wear masks will give some shoppers a feeling of security.
Michele Hawkins of Coatesville, the mother of Robinson, said she suffered a heart attack in March.
Shortly thereafter, the COVID-19 precautions kicked in.
“Whatever they say that’s going to save my life, that’s where I’m at right now,” Hawkins said. “It’s good that people are doing what they’re asked to do. If you’re not wearing one, you’re not listening to the news. You’re playing Russian roulette with your life.
Away from the crowds in another area of Delco was another sign of the times. In Ridley Creek near the bridge linking Barren and Ridley Creek roads was a fly fisherman in waders wearing – what’s that? – a mask.
Though protective masks aren’t required for fishing, Chris Griffiths of Middletown felt it best to be proactive.
“I think we should have been doing this from the start, just to slow this thing down,” Griffiths shouted. “I think it would have been better for everyone.”