Most comply with mask order
Officials says they’re mostly taking an educational approach to enforcement.
Some look like kids playing cowboy or bandit with a bandanna draped over their faces and tied behind their head. Others resemble winter sports warriors with fullhead coverings that have small peepholes. And many are clad in disposable surgical or N95 masks like those worn by medical professionals.
They’re all legal and, as of Wednesday, mandated for anyone appearing in most public places outside their homes or cars in most Bay Area counties.
The Bay Area’s collection of health orders was extended to require masks or some type of face covering over the mouth and nose by Wednesday in six counties: San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Sonoma and Marin. Santa Clara, Solano and Napa counties have urged but not required wearing masks.
Face coverings do not eliminate the need for social distancing or frequent handwashing, health officials say. The mask mandates are a stark contrast to earlier advice from health experts that masks were only necessary for health care workers and are an indication of how the advice and rules have evolved as scientists learn more about the virus.
A day after face wear became mandatory, people seemed to be complying, according to law enforcement agencies. Officials say they’re mostly taking an educational approach — informing people of the new requirement instead of threatening them with a citation.“We just don’t want to make anyone force us to have to give them a citation,” said Sgt. Juan Valencia, spokesman for the Sonoma County Sheriff ’s Office.
Officials with the San Francisco city attorney’s office and Oakland police departments said they, too, are taking an educational approach to the mask requirement.
“Most people want to do the right thing,” said John Coté, a spokesman for City Attorney Dennis Herrera. “For those who aren't complying, education will always be our first approach. If needed, SFPD can cite people for a misdemeanor. We hope that won't be necessary.”
BART, which serves four counties, all of them requiring face coverings, hopes to be able to do the same, said Alicia Trost, a spokeswoman. The transit operator started enforcing the requirement — on trains and in stations — Wednesday with police and community service officers stationed at some fare gates. Most people were already wearing masks, she said, especially on trains. But those who lack masks are advised that they can’t enter unless they cover their mouths and noses somehow — even with a scarf, towel or sweatshirt.
BART has ordered 300,000 masks of different types — including cloth coverings and N95 masks — and needs to make sure it has enough to equip its employees for several days, Trost said. Once they’ve received enough to make sure employees are protected, some will be provided to officers to distribute.
“It’s something we want to do, but we’re not there yet,” she said. “This isn’t meant to create confrontational interactions, it’s a new order and we’re going to try to accommodate it in the best and most comfortable way possible.”
Law enforcement agencies aren’t tallying the complaints they get from the public about people not wearing masks, nor the number of encounters with the public, and experiences seem to vary by county. Marin has seen a significant surge this week, Sgt. Brenton Schneider of the Sheriff ’s Office said, most involving people who aren’t wearing masks where they should — inside stores, at gas stations and at bus stops.
Most Bay Area law enforcement agencies say they haven’t issued any citations, which come with fines of $50 to $1,000 or up to 90 days in jail or both. But Sonoma County, which started enforcing its mask ordinance April 17, arrested one woman on a variety of charges, including an uncovered face. Valencia said the woman urinated in public outside a closed Windsor business then rattled its doors and tried to get inside. Deputies added the facecovering violation when she ran toward a grocery store, where people were waiting in line and masks were required.
In Berkeley, most people appeared to be complying with the order Thursday morning, including a woman at aMcDonald’s drivethrough window, folks selling coffee ordered via app only at Philz and the crowd shopping for groceries at Whole Foods. Office Depot had someone stationed at the door limiting the number of people inside and making sure everyone had a mask or face covering.
At the El Cerrito Plaza BART Station, Anthony Hairston, 33, of El Cerrito wore a paper surgical mask as he headed to catch a train. He said the mask requirement was reassuring.
“I think it’s safe. I like it,” he said. “They should have have started this a long time ago.” Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@ sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan