Mask Or No Mask?

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Members of the public share whether they think masks should still be mandatory.

Sixty-two-year-old security guard Orlander Evans is vocal about his displeasure with having to wear masks. With his own mask hanging down below his nose, the father of three urges the country’s leader to scrap the mandate.

Prime Minister Philip Davis announced yesterday that the mandate to wear masks indoors could be removed before summer. He says experts are trying to work out ventilation issues to ensure the virus isn’t easily trapped indoors.

Back on March 12th, the Ministry of Health and Wellness announced that a person is not required to wear a mask “in a lobby, corridor, or casino of a hotel, or while in an outdoor setting where there are at least three feet of space between persons who are not of the same household”.

Ruth Curtis, a volunteer worker, says whatever the rules, she is staying masked.

Last week, it was announced that passengers on domestic flights in the United States would no longer be required to wear masks in flight.

The news was met with mixed reactions with supporters of mask-wearing pointing to the higher risk of Covid transmission in enclosed spaced, while opponents of mandatory masks say they should be able to chose. Twenty-six-year-old Hillary Wallace, and 19-year-old Dominic Barrett say they support the option.

Other critics of mask-wearing, like security guard Orlander Evans, say it’s more of an advantage to criminals, who want to conceal their faces while committing crimes.

He and other critics have also questioned the effectiveness of some masks in preventing the virus from spreading.