Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners Skip Alston has been getting some blowback over Guilford County’s standing mask mandate, but Alston said on Wednesday, Oct. 27, that, despite backlash, the mandate will remain in effect as long as the county needs it to protect county residents.
Alston said that he doesn’t enjoy wearing a mask every time he’s indoor at a public place any more than anyone else, but he added that the county’s medical experts are the people that he’s listening to during the pandemic.
Currently, Alston has the votes on the Guilford County Board of Commissioners to leave the mandate in place. It was approved in late August on a 6-to-3 vote, and, though the matter came up for discussion at the commissioners’ regular meeting last week, there clearly weren’t enough votes to overturn the mandate that requires all citizens who are indoors at public venues to wear a mask at all times to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The mandate holds in all places such as restaurants, stores, theaters, churches and indoor concert venues.
A few other counties in North Carolina have mask mandates, but Alston said that, in this decision process, he’s not looking at what other counties, cities or states are doing.
“I don’t care what they are doing in other places,” Alston said. “I’m concerned about here in Guilford County, which is where our responsibility is. I’m listening to our medical experts here.”
He added, “I don’t want to prolong the mandate, but I don’t want the decision to be haphazard either.”
The chairman of the Board of Commissioners said that if people didn’t like the mandate they could do things such as get all their vaccination shots and encourage others to do as well. That, he said, would help reduce the spread of the virus and take some pressure off local medical facilities.
The mask mandate backlash has been getting stronger in Guilford County for a number of reasons: The coronavirus numbers are coming down; people are becoming more frustrated the longer the mandate goes on; and it’s hard to see an end in sight. Alston said publicly last week that it could be “May or June,” before conditions were such that the mandate could be lifted.
It’s not uncommon at all now to see a grocery store, a drug store or other venue where some customers are walking around unmasked without comment from either fellow customers or the establishment’s employees.
The three commissioners who voted against the mandate are Republican commissioners Justin Conrad and Alan Perdue and Democratic Commissioner James Upchurch. At the board’s Oct. 21 meeting, Conrad blasted the mandate, and both Conrad and Upchurch asked some tough questions regarding the rationale for continuing the masking requirement.
Skip is terrified of covid. Guilford County will be the last County standing with mask mandates
He’s not so terrified that it encourages him to wear his mask correctly.
Pure ignorance to think these masks are keeping the virus from spreading!
And with the numbers sweeping downward, why keep this ridiculous mandate?
Not that you will publish this or any other of my pleas to follow the science as it evolves, but Mr Skip Alston is doing so. He deserves acknowledgement for using sound scientific judgement. It’s not an economic issue. It’s a health issue. Please get behind the physicians and scientists who are trying to end, not extend this pandemic. Delta is a new ballgame.
The only thing that’s evolving here is our utter disdain for all of this nonsense.
If I want a doctor’s opinion, I’ll make an appointment. Even then we are still master’s of our own bodies. Doctors and scientists can give advice, and post their opinions and findings, but ultimately we decide whether or not to go along, or refuse and do our own thing. In this case, you can keep your muzzle & get out of the way,
Strange that both the Danish and Bangladeshi studies on mask efficacy both demonstrate that masks are useless, isn’t it? Is that the “science” you’re referring to?
Show me a study that says store-bought cloth masks help
Studies will show what those who are paying for the studies want them to show.
Well Melvin-if you’re going to wear it-wear it right.Do us all a favor and cover your mouth.
I have yet to wear a mask this entire Plandemic to any retail establishment or restaurant in Guilford County and not had any trouble. If asked smile and politely inform them you are Exempt. If further pushback received ask them if they are actively discriminating against the disabled on behalf of said company. After that politely leave, contact their corporate headquarters, and leave a bad google review. Plenty of other establishments will appreciate your $mile and money. 🙂
Not wearing a muzzle or giving a card for anyone. I’ll just go someplace that appreciates the business.
Can’t remember the last time I wore a mask.
King Skip doesn’t care what any other county, city or states are doing. It’s all about him and his royalty status for sure.
Got to be a lawyer who isn’t bought and paid off to challenge this unconstitutional mandate.
What’s comical to me about this whole mask thing these days is the people out there wearing the blasted things incorrectly. Noses not covered or hanging under the chin. What’s the point if you’re going to let all that slide. And lord knows we can’t have Skippy and the commissioners unhappy.
“Brandon” was walking around taking selfies with folks unmasked and inches away from noses and mouths at a rally for the Virginia “parents have no say so over schools” candidate..Skip needs to be singing out of the new masking songbook.
What a bunch of bologna! The only reason Dictator Alston is preserving the mask mandate is because he’s a control freak!!
I see in the picture that accompanied the article, that Skip is not wearing his mask properly. The mask mandate in Guilford county is insane. I will continue to do all of my shopping and dining out in Alamance County until this mask mandate is ended. If Skip is right, , wouldn’t we see Guilford Co. numbers being significantly lower than all the counties around us? And yet we don’t. Doesn’t that tell us something? I have written all of the county commissioners and strongly urge all of you to do so as well.
If you’re really convinced masks work why don’t you wear yours properly. Every time I see your picture you never have your nose covered. Self righteous ass
Skip will not mandate me to ware a mask, will wear one ony own if I decide to.He needs to check out Florida lowest in 49 states no mandate
It’s time to trust the science… Masks don’t work!
I see, from the picture, he doesn’t follow his own rules . . . SMH
I don’t always agree with Mr. Alston, but this time I completely support him. There is still too much unknown. If I have to wear a mask, then that’s fine for now. I’m as tired of it as everyone else but it is in our best interest. It’s a life or death issue until everyone gets vaccinated and that won’t happen.
Bend over & we’ll show you where you can put your mask mandate. Tired & angry citizens won’t forget when the next election rolls around.
Interesting that in the photo, Skip is in violation of the mask mandate. Will he be fined? Earlier in the month there was a video that showed him inside the council chambers (with a camera crew at least) fully unmasked. Was he fined for that?
More and more customers are simply ignoring the mandate and employees are ignoring those customers. At least one McDonald’s and one Home Depot has totally removed the mask signs from entrances. One popular buffet restaurant usually has about 35 – 40% of diners entering and walking around without masks. Where are those persons who are supposed to be policing the masks? I’m convinced they never existed; just hype by Skip!
This foolishness has run it’s course; time to rescind the mandate and let folks get on with their lives. If one wishes to wear a mask, it should be personal choice; not Skip’s!
No, Skippy’s Covid Nazis do exist. I spoke to a business owner yesterday who told me he does business with the county and was threatened with fines by some Jack leg from the county until he asked the county covif warrior if he would like to see video of no less than 7 of his own employees not wearing masks in his establishment over the course of the past 3 weeks. Covid Nazi shut his pie hole and went away.
So Skip-the-hyp “doesn’t care”. He says while unmasked indoors. Why can I walk in any restaurant, and other businesses, without a mask, and not others? There is no federal or state sweeping mandate. Masks have no effect on transfer of ANY virus, the virus goes right through.
Masks outdoors? Is there a safer place?
What DOES work is avoiding other people if you have flu symptoms.
So come and get me. We have seen you unmasked in other jurisdictions without mandates. We all know what you, and those like you, are about. Such arrogance.
Leftists are destroying our Republic.
Just disobey – like me. Alston is not King, and masks don’t work.
Alston is a great admirer of civil disobedience. Right Skippy?
Skip – you were elected to represent the citizens of Guilford county, and be a responsible steward of the tax money that is collected from them.
You were NOT elected “King of Guilford County”.
You were NOT elected “Emperor Skip”.
You were NOT elected Supreme Ruler.
It is NOT your responsibility issue “orders” that restrict the freedoms of those you are supposed to represent.
Politicians who think it is OK to suspend the US Constitution for ANY reason should immediately be removed from office, for not adhering to their oath to uphold the Constitution.
If this was a real pandemic, hospitals would not be firing doctors and nurses for exercising their right to choose what goes in their bodies. If this was a real pandemic, our southern border would be closed, and we wouldn’t be not only allowing, but inviting, tens of thousands of illegal aliens into this country unchecked and unmonitored.
If this was a real pandemic, our healthcare organizations and bureaucracies would be honestly exploring any and all methods of treatment, instead of censoring anyone who mentions Ivermectin or HCQ.
If this was a real pandemic, natural immunity, acquired from being exposed to the virus, would not be discounted.
This whole damn thing was nothing but a government power grab. How many times has the government acquired more power, then gave that power back to the people? NONE. All you sheep will be sitting around, doing what the government tells you, expecting things to go back to normal, while those of us who don’t consider ourselves beholden to government over-reach will be busy living our lives, breathing fresh air, with family and friends by our side.
Well said, Tom! The draconian oppressions that have been – and will be – imposed on us have nothing to do with public health. It’s all about control.
OBEY…. COMPLY…. SUBMIT.
THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE
If Skip and his minions followed the truth AND science they would end their politically motivated mandate today.
I’d ask Alston to produce the scientific studies that show masks are effective, but he won’t, because there aren’t any. He’s making decisions based on fear and fake science. We deserve better. Personally I don’t comply with his hoodoo voodoo policy: I spend my money in neighboring counties where they haven’t lost their minds yet.
I’ve written my county commissioners, Carly Cooke and Kay Cashion, but they don’t have time to respond to the little people they lord over. I’ve asked both, twice, for scientific proof to support the mask mandates. They ignored me.
Let’s make sure we don’t ignore them during the next election cycle.
I support putting an end to the mandate given the positive rate being below 5% and the infection rate is dropping quickly an will below 100 per 100,000 soon. But study after study shows masks do help. They are not perfect but do help. Takes a second or two to find these studies.
Hey Skippy, ever read the book Mutiny on the Bounty ??
I thought someone else surely would, but may I point out that right there in the picture accompanying this “news”, poor old Melvin is wearing his mask pulled down to expose both of his blowholes. Well, poor guy, just as has always been the case in his many years of “public service”, nobody pays him much attention to start with.
There is no mask mandate in Forsyth County, Alamance County, Randolph County, or Rockingham County.. Why should Guilford County residents have to suffer? I will continue to shop and eat out in Alamance County as much as possible. My son received his medical degree from UNC and sees this as over the top and unnecessary. Where did you get your medical degree, Skip???
This is going to be a good weekend to check out how the mandate is being followed.
Skip is welcome to put his imperial edicts where the sun doesn’t shine!
That’s why I do ALL my shopping and eating out in Alamance County. This plan will remain in effect as long as I need to protect myself from the Skip Alston.
I’ll just “Skip” the mask thank you.
This is nothing more than a power trip! The officials seem to like glorifying themselves with power. It’s so sad. Science behind this decision?? Bull crap! Unless you wear a medical grade mask it does nothing. These things are nothing more than a political tool. Wake up America and stand up to the establishment!
Yes, only the medical grade N95 masks come close to inhibiting the transmission of the Covid-19 virus.
The silly little face diapers are totally useless.
Glad to finally see some pushback on this. We are seeing cases go down, and unfortunately as I feared the mandate is being credited for that. Still, it will be harder to keep in place as long as cases keep decreasing. For now, I’m being a good little sheep and keeping it in on if I am in a position of being denied service.
Don’t cave, please, go someplace that wants your business and will not deny you service. We have to train businesses to understand patrons good, patrons are revenue, no patrons bad, no patrons no revenue. Business needs patron more than patron needs business.
A doctor of immunology recently stated that the effectiveness of a mask to prevent the spread of Covid is equal to trying to stop mosquitoes from entering your property with a chain link fence. Get off your high horse Skip and let us get back to reality. I will not go into any establishment in this county with a mask on and I have not been denied service. You cannot just tell people what to do because you are the head of the county commissioners. We all have minds of our own. I am not sure you have one.