Democrat Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has signed a new mandate that will force children as young as five years old to put masks on their faces. Bel Edwards also insinuated that even younger children between the ages of 2 and 4 should also wear masks.
“This a mandate for everyone five and older in Louisiana. It’s worth noting however that the CDC and LDH both strongly recommended that children age 2 to 4 also wear masks,” Bel Edwards said while announcing the mandate, which will affect all adults and children as young as five.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards: 'This…is a mandate for everyone five and older in Louisiana. It's worth noting however that the CDC and LDH both strongly recommended that children age 2 to 4 also wear masks" pic.twitter.com/YQUe5DF1ey
— Caleb Howe (@CalebHowe) August 2, 2021
The Governor’s website proclaimed on Tuesday, “Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards has temporarily reinstated Louisiana’s statewide mask mandate indoors for all people age five and older as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise across Louisiana, threatening the ability of Louisiana’s hospitals to deliver care during this fourth surge of COVID. Louisiana is currently in the worst surge of the COVID-19 pandemic so far in terms of case growth rate, percent positivity and hospitalizations.”
Edwards stated in the press release, “This decision is not one I take lightly, but as the fourth surge of COVID-19 is upon us, we know that mask wearing when you are in public is one way to greatly lower your risk of spreading or catching COVID. Being vaccinated against COVID-19 is another. We have the tools we need to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and save lives, and I am pleading with unvaccinated Louisianans to get their shot as soon as they can to protect themselves. We can end this nightmare, but it is going to take all of us working together to do it.”
The decision was met with immediate scorn by Louisiana residents, many of whom view the move as draconian and wholly inappropriate as it applies to very young children.
