While Pace continues to urge people to wear masks, his health order addendum removes a requirement that those who cannot wear them provide a doctor’s note as proof.
On May 21, Public Health Order C20-06 took effect mandating face coverings when entering Lake County businesses.
Since then, Lake County’s caseload has nearly doubled, rising to 23 cases.
Pace said masking “has been demonstrated to minimize the risk of people that are not showing symptoms spreading COVID-19 to others, and this is a key element of our strategy to reopen local businesses as quickly as we responsibly can, and keep them open.”
“If you are able to wear a face covering, please wear one – it can help keep others safe,” he said.
He acknowledged that some people truly cannot wear a mask, due to breathing difficulty or other negative physical or emotional consequences.
“In last week’s order, I encouraged people with such concerns to get a doctor’s note, in case they may otherwise receive push-back when trying to access local businesses,” said Pace.
His latest addendum clarifies that individuals are not required to provide written documentation of their medical exemption.
“If you are unable to wear a mask, you can and must help keep others safe in different ways, including by maintaining a minimum physical distance of 6 feet between yourself and anyone that is not a member of your immediate household at all times, unless protective shielding is in place,” said Pace.
He said business owners have a legal obligation to keep their employees and customers safe, and may lawfully refuse service if providing in-person service would threaten the well-being of others.
“Navigating these dynamics can be challenging at times, and I would encourage residents and business owners, alike, to exercise grace with one another and resolve to be as safe as we possibly can,” he said.
Pace said the goal is limiting the preventable spread of COVID-19 in order to keep the rate of infections manageable and minimize the chance of severe complications and deaths.
“That threat may seem abstract, since we haven’t had severe peaks in cases that have flooded our hospitals here; I certainly hope we never do,” he said.
“We will all be safer if we are each vigilant in managing our own risk of unknowingly spreading the virus to others,” Pace said. “For most of us, even though they can be uncomfortable, that will include wearing a face covering.”
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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