Lt. Gov. Ainsworth Calls Mask Mandate ‘Overstep’
Shortly after Gov. Kay Ivey issued a statewide mandate requiring Alabamians to wear masks, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth took to Twitter to issue his own opinion about the decision.
Ainsworth tweeted a photo of a press release from his office that disagreed with Ivey's choice to issue the mandate. The release stated that the mandate is too "one-size-fits-all" and too closely resembles big government control, an ideal commonly rejected by conservatives.
"Wearing a face mask and maintaining social distancing are among the best ways to slow the spread of COVID-19, and I have tried to set a public example in those regards," Ainsworth said in a press release. "Issue a statewide face mask mandate, however, is an overstep that infringes upon the property rights of business owners and the ability of individuals to make their own health decisions."
Ainsworth concluded the release by affirming that masks should be worn in an effort to curb further outbreaks, but he simply does not agree with enforcement in that area.
"In addition, it imposes a one-size-fits-all, big government requirement on counties that currently have low to moderate infection rates and little need for such a mandate," he said.
In her press conference today, Ivey drove home the idea that "personal responsibility" is paramount in the state's efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. But, she and State Health Officer Scott Harris cited the most recent case and death numbers, and the trends are not headed in the direction they want. Thus, the mandate was announced.
She further urged citizens to exercise their best judgment when wearing masks outside the parameters set by the "Safer at Home" order, and hopes that these increased efforts will shift Alabama back toward a path to normalcy.