Gulf Coast residents react to mask mandates being lifted

Along with Governor Reeves’ latest executive order comes opposition as well as approval from Gulf Coast residents.

Locals are voicing their opinions on social media about the mask mandates being lifted.

While many are happy to see the change nearly a year after the COVID shutdown, some believe this change is coming too early.

Wendy Wagner, who had COVID-19 and also had a friend pass away from complications from the virus, supports the governor’s decision. “It’s my life and I understand that by me not wearing the mask, some people believe that that is me harming them but I didn’t see it that way. I felt like the mask, if anything, was protecting me. And again, should’ve been my choice.”

For 26-year-old Cameron Smith, who lost his grandmother due to complications from COVID-19, he was not in favor of Governor Reeves’ executive order. “It seems like he’s just caving into more of the political opinions of the people of Mississippi instead of the actual health and safety of everybody that lives here. It just doesn’t make sense when it feels like this vaccine is coming out, we’re finally making real progress, to take a step back.”

Smith says he wouldn’t feel comfortable with the mask mandate being lifted until a larger portion of the population has been administered the vaccine.