THE EDITOR: The funny thing about the mask mandate is that, based on my casual observations, most people are ignoring it while out in public, either by not wearing one at all, or wearing it as a chin strap, or with their nose uncovered.
Couple this with the fact that the government hasn't put any system in place for violators to pay fines, and you end up with a mix of "I fed up" and, "There are no real consequences, so why wear any?"
In addition, the police seem to be turning a blind eye to violators – in fact, a photo recently published in the Newsday shows a policeman with his mask pulled down to his chin as he was standing on guard duty outside the Red House as a government senator was heading in for the sitting of the Senate.
This in the end makes the mandate, as it is presently constructed, not only silly but ineffective.
This is not an argument about legality or one advocating breaking the law. Neither is it about covid19, masks, and if we need them or not. I'm just pointing out the reality as it exists at present.
TIM TEEMAL
St James
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