Oakland County Issues Mask Order, Should Kent County Do The Same?

After Governor Whitmer's executive orders were overturned by the Michigan Supreme Court, some local health departments are starting to step in with orders of their own.

Michigan's second largest county is now requiring residents to wear mask whenever they leave their home.  The Oakland County health department has issued the mask mandate for all residents in the county and it is much more strict than the previously issued mandate by the state government.  Here is an excerpt of the mandate from the Oakland County government's website:

It is hereby ordered that:

1. Any individual who leaves their home or place of residence must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth in the following instances:
   1. When in any indoor public space; this includes all students in grades kindergarten through twelve; and
   2. When outdoors and unable to consistently maintain a distance of six feet or more from individuals who are not members of their household; and
   3. When waiting for or riding on public transportation, while in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle, school bus or when using a private car service as a means of hired transportation.
   4. Athletes training for, practicing for, or competing in an organized sport must wear a facial covering (except when swimming) or consistently maintain 6 feet of social distance (except for occasional and fleeting moments).

The mandate also has a list of reasons why an individual would be exempt from wearing a mask, which you can read here.

The mandate was issued using authority given to health officials across the state by a law passed in 1978 to control epidemics.  Every county health department in the state of Michigan has the power to issue emergency orders.  This leads many in Kent County to the question "Should Kent County issue a mask mandate?"  Vote in our poll below.