The coronavirus pandemic mask requirements are gone in a lot of instances.
However, on Wednesday, May 19, Guilford County announced that those working in and visiting county facilities will still be required to wear masks.
The new directive from the county stated that, under the authority of Guilford County Manager Mike Halford, mask wearing would continue to be required.
“Regarding county government facilities and county leased property,” the statement reads, “The County Manager, in his authority to limit access to government properties and under the advisement of our local health officials, will continue to require masks to be worn inside county facilities and inside county leased properties.”
The county plans to revisit this requirement in two weeks.
The statement added that Halford did not make the decision lightly.
The decision does indeed seem to be the result of much discussion by county officials over the past few days. When the county early in the week put out a public notice that up to 25 spectators would be allowed in the Thursday, May 20 Board of Commissioners meeting, there was no mention of masking in that notice. When the Rhino Times asked multiple county officials on Tuesday and Wednesday whether masks would be required at the meeting, they did not respond at all.
When Chairman of the Guilford Board of Commissioners Skip Alston was asked about masks at the May 20 meeting, he said that that he was going to require audience members to wear masks at the meeting. He said that, while the commissioners themselves were removed from the crowd, and protected by plexiglass dividers, those in the audience should be masked – especially since it is impossible to tell who has been vaccinated and who has not.
Halford explained his reasoning for the mask requirement in county facilities in a statement: “At this time, it is impossible to both quickly and reliably confirm vaccination status. This additional time will allow us to closely observe our local metrics as the community at large begins to unmask. We will be better able to evaluate our internal readiness and potential impacts to services for both mask and capacity reductions. The additional assessment period will allow us time to ensure that we can balance our ongoing responsibilities to continue to safely provide mandated public services”
The Guilford County Division of Public Health is still offering COVID-19 vaccine appointments. Appointments may be scheduled in the following ways:
- Online at www.healthyguilford.com
- By phone at 336-641-7944, Option 2
- Walk-In appointments are also available.
Dear Mr. Halford, Please don’t drink too much of the Kool-aid.
There’s an easy solution to this: get your vaccine.
It didn’t help Bill Maher. It didn’t help my mother in law’s neighbor. Plenty of people are still contracting covid after being vaccinated. These so-called vaccines aren’t what you think they are.
Yes, it isn’t 100% effective. But if 100% of people get the vaccine then you won’t have to wear a mask in court when you’re defending your right to act like a dumas.
My cousin’s neighbor’s ex-wife’s baby daddy got the vaccine and never got it so there’s some evidence. Irrefutable.
Didn’t “dumas” write a book?
Hahaha
Ya see,
Some of us are willing to die for our beliefs. I firmly believe this is tyranny and will stand my ground virus or none, 1 vaccine or 100, mandate or not. When they finally get to my door with syringe in hand, I will politely explain my stance and ask them to leave. If the gum flapping begins after that I will calmly display my firearm, remind them they have been asked to leave and demand they leave. If the idiot persists, I sure hope he/she/it can run faster than 1,600 feet per second. What happens to me afterwards if of little consequence. It’s about starting a Revolution at that point. Once it starts, there will be many others who follow, then some steps in the process will be omitted by yet others until its an all out war. Who do you think is better prepared? The pansy with the lab coat or the countless Patriots with the tattered soul and scarred knuckles who have been hoarding ammunition & survival gear for years?
The guy that plays video games and flies drones is much more prepared than your army of people. You’re such an idiot – as is your white man-given right.
But why not get a vaccine? I’m at your door, I’m waiting for you to “politely” brandish your weapon and explain your stance – you little bich.
We know your political affiliation. The most powerful military in the world, the British laughed in the 1700’s. A bunch of rag tag Americans, including black Freemen, kicked their arses off this continent!++
Hey Mike-just edict that those who are not inoculated wear their masks and those who are inoculated may wear or not wear masks.
I would be shocked to hear that you don’t trust the citizenry and employees to do the right thing!
Or, perhaps you could mandate that the”inoclata” bear a mark of some type indicating vaccination.Tatoos might work.
Who is Mike?
Fri eve, the wif and I went out to a joint for some dancing (first time since March of last year). Everyone had a choice to wear a mask, but I didn’t see even one. An older crowd mostly. Masks are essentially worthless, most people know that. But our politicians couldn’t pass up the opportunity to coerce by decree. Never let a crisis go to waste.
We haven’t had a cold or flu for over two years. That was due to forced isolation and social distancing, not a flimsy mask. I see govt buildings and some businesses still require staff and customer masks. I think businesses are doing it just to CYA.
If you want a life without risk, just stay inside your home for the rest of your life. You may die of lack of exercise, depression, or a falling airplane. Your choice, just as it is mine.
But are you and your wif vaccinated? That’s sort of a big piece in your story. Missing relevant information? I bet the Rhino will hire you.
If you are not vaccinated, you are actively acting against CDC recommendations and putting yourself and others at risk.
“Guilford County Employees And Visitors Still Need to Mask Up”
No, Guilford County employees still DON’T need to mask up, but will continue to be REQUIRED to mask up.
Glad I could clarify that for you.
You’re welcome.