Wearing a face covering in public spaces is a measure that the Town of Highlands board of commissioners made mandatory during the board’s August meeting.
In the two weeks since the mask mandate was resurrected in an attempt to slow the COVID-19 Delta variant, one thing has become clear - a high percentage of the population has tuned out.
All over Highlands there have been pedestrians, both tourists and residents, strolling in and out of local businesses and public spaces maskless. As well received as the town’s initial mask mandate proved to be, this second iteration appears equally unsuccessful.
While it would be easy to write off those not wearing masks as inconsiderate or uninformed, the answer is more likely based in Highlands’ nature as a town and the two most common problems with COVID-19 related mandates from any level of government.
First, Highlands is largely a tourism-driven town and with that comes the fact that many guests come from areas where mask mandates no longer exist. States like Florida, Georgia and Texas have all but outlawed such mandates and other nearby states like South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama have no such rules in place, so it is easy to see why visitors would not know the mandate exists in Highlands or come prepared.
Second, the rules change all the time. When the federal government, state government, county government and town government can all legislate something, regardless of what it is, there is bound to be confusion. Currently, Macon County, the state of North Carolina, nor the nation as a whole, have a mask mandate in place.
Lastly, enforcement is impossible. Highlands Police Department does an excellent job patrolling the town and serving its citizens. But the department simply does not have the time or manpower to enforce a mask mandate in all business zones and public places. That leaves enforcement of the mandate up to individual businesses, who aren’t in the habit of rejecting potential customers.
The scientific data available says wearing a mask helps reduce the spread of COVID-19. Highlands-Cashiers Hospital CEO Tom Neal provided data to back up that claim and advocated for the mask mandate in August. We should all do our part and wear a face covering in public places, but seeing people buck the mandate is no surprise.
- By Ryan Hanchett