Health

How Mass. residents are adapting to Gov. Baker’s public order requiring masks to be used whenever social distancing isn’t possible

BOSTON — Getting kids to wear masks can be a challenge, getting adults to do it can sometimes be a struggle as well.

On day one of Gov. Charlie Baker’s order taking effect, we found a few people out and about without any masks on their face, but they are not disobeying the order unless they are in a place where they are not able to social distance.

Most of them were carrying one with them though just in case. But, how strict will police be if they’re not? Will it be like anything we’ve seen in other places like New York or Philadelphia?

“We’ve heard and witnessed and read situations across the country where enforcement was uneven or even inequitable for communities of color,” said Mayor Marty Walsh. “Our approach is to support you not to punish you Especially if you are already financially struggling.”

Businesses can choose not to allow anyone inside who is not wearing a face covering and local governments can take it a step further

“We gave them the ability up to a certain level to issue warnings and fines,” said Baker. “It’s my hope and my expectation that will not be necessary, I can tell you many of the communities who have issued similar guidance or advisories have said they have issued a few warnings but almost no one has issued a fine.”

We found a few signs around town at businesses and transportation stops, even on some buses, just in case there’s any confusion, reminding commuters that face coverings are required for getting on the bus. But are people around town listening?

Almost everyone we saw at Copley square obeyed the order before getting on a bus.

Same at the Forest Hill stop in Jamaica Plain, and along the silver line on Washington street. However, remember just because you see someone not wearing a mask, doesn’t mean you can jump to conclusions.

“The state order Includes exemptions for those who have breathing challenges, those who rely on lipreading to communicate and those with certain mental health diagnosis,” said Walsh. “If anyone needs help with finding or making a face covering please call 311.”

And in talking to a few anonymous bus drivers, those exemptions can make things tough. The drivers say they have dealt with quite a few people not wearing a mask but didn’t always speak up because they weren’t sure if they had some sort of disability.

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