‘Hope is not a strategy’: Davidson considering mask requirement

DAVIDSON, N.C. — As the state moves to reopen North Carolina, the town of Davidson may implement tighter restrictions for its residents. In a virtual commissioner meeting this week, town leaders debated the issue for several hours.

“I don’t think we should just follow what everyone else is doing. We should be listening to our residents,” said commissioner Matthew Fort.

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The town attorney said they have the authority, but what the guidelines would entail is still up for debate.

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“We can be more strict than the state and Mecklenburg County’s ordinance,” said attorney Cindy Reid.

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One proposal from commissioners would be to require customers to wear masks inside stores. If they don’t, they wouldn’t be allowed to enter. The requirement could extend to all businesses and public spaces, including parks.

“We can effectively tell restaurants or other small businesses that move to that level of reopening, that we’re following stricter guidelines,” Mayor Rusty Knox said.

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Main Street Books already requires employees to wear masks and to social distance. When they reopen to the public in the coming weeks, the owner, Adah Fitzgerald, said the mask mandate would be welcome.

“It could reinforce what we’re already doing,” said Fitzgerald.

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Others, like resident Jamie Hochman, said the requirement isn’t necessary because most people already follow the recommendations.

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“I feel like people are very respectful here," she said. "If it’s required here for a while, then they’ll do it for the benefit of other people.”

Phase Two of reopening the state could begin as early as May 22 and Davidson commissioners could call a special meeting to enhance the local rules next week.

Fort said it all depends on the data.

“We’re just going to hope everything is OK -- and hope is not a strategy,” he said.