COMMISSIONERS BACK MASK ORDER
When Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order requiring people to wear masks in public, Max & Emily’s Eatery in Mt. Pleasant didn’t have to do much to comply.
Like many other local businesses, employees at the downtown restaurant had been wearing masks since early March, when physicians began warning the public of the dangers of COVID-19.
After Whitmer’s order, Max & Emily’s made it easier for customers by purchasing disposable masks for those who didn’t have face coverings.
Wearing masks falls into the restaurant’s “People Helping People” program by helping to stop the spread of the virus.
Max & Emily’s and other Mt. Pleasant businesses got a boost earlier this week when city commissioners passed a resolution supporting Whitmer’s executive order.
Citing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for employers and the public about stopping the spread of COVID-19, commissioners approved the resolution because of the recent increase in cases in Isabella County and to recognize the “importance and effectiveness of face coverings in helping slow the spread of the virus.”
In adopting the resolution, city commissioners noted that they want to help bring back economic stability and do what they can to keep residents, visitors. business owners and front line workers safe.
Commissioners also said they want to provide leadership and support to implement the wearing of face coverings in any
indoor space and when outdoors if keeping a distance of six feet from others is not possible, excluding people in the same households.
“The city commission has taken actions during the pandemic to assist our local economy and local residents where possible,” City Manager Nancy Ridley said. “These actions are based on a desire to return to economic stability and some normalcy while keeping people safe.”
While the resolution is not legally binding, commissioners are urging residents and business owners to “do their part in implementing the requirements so that customers feel safe that the expected protocols are in place.”
In the “rare” cases in which police are called upon to enforce the governor’s order, commissioners support educating and attempting to get voluntary compliance.
In cases where personal responsibility and voluntary compliance can’t be reached, commissioners support law enforcement using its discretion to enforce the order.
“The city commission approved the resolution supporting the wearing of face coverings so that they could display their support for encouraging individuals to voluntarily comply in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus,” Ridley said. “Wearing a face covering is a sign of respect for others.”
At Max & Emily’s, a few customers initially balked at wearing masks but the few customers not wearing masks have used the disposables provided by the restaurant, general manager Kat Johnson said.