TSA to double fines for people who refuse to wear masks on planes
The U.S. is doubling the fine for people who break the rule requiring masks on planes, trains and other forms of public transit to slow the spread of COVID-19, with President Joe Biden warning Thursday that violators should โbe prepared to pay.โ
No use of the phrase โmask mandateโ could have been a political move by Gov. Northam
During Governor Ralph Northamโs 32-minute news conference Thursday, not once did he use the phrase โmask mandateโ while addressing the policy for grades K through 12 -- even when asked about it multiple times. That has many wondering if it was a political move ahead of Novemberโs election.
EXPLAINER: What's with the confusion over masks?
Health authorities have changed their guidance on who should wear masks and when to wear them. Here's a look at how what we know about masks has changed, and how government officials are increasingly getting behind the idea of mandating the use of masks. But when BOTH people are wearing masks, that produced the best result. For example, study participants who were supposed to wear masks sometimes didnโt. The president also held rallies that brought together thousands of supporters, most of them not wearing masks.
Woman makes 700 masks for her community, complete with welcoming front-yard display
Still, creating 700 face masks seems to transcend just โthe basics,โ wouldnโt you say? Mooreโs personal project started in April, when Gleaners Community Food Bank asked for help from the community in making face masks for the groupโs volunteers, and Moore decided she would lend a hand. Now she estimates sheโs made hundreds of face masks for anyone who needs one. She uses some basic patterns and others that are a little more fun, and said sheโs working on 50 Halloween-themed masks at the moment. When COVID-19 started, Moore was laid off for three months, so she had some extra time on her hands.
Wearing a creative or fun face mask? We want to see
This time last year, we were beginning to talk about what kinds of fun costumes and masks we might wear for Halloween. Nowadays, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, masks are an every day, everywhere kind of thing. In an effort to fight the spread of the coronavirus, masks have been mandated for wear in plenty of places, so perhaps your mask has become second nature. That not only makes it a little more fun for those wearing the masks, but for us who are out people-watching (and unable to actually see peopleโs faces). And perhaps you just might give some others some fun ideas to work with.
Face masks required: Not in all U.S. schools, but itโs happening in Spain
MADRID โ Masks will be mandatory for all students in Spain, ages 6 or older, when returning to schools in September because of increased coronavirus cases, the government announced Thursday. Previously, masks were only required for students above age 12 by some Spanish regions. Students will receive a daily body temperature check, must wash hands at least five times per day and classrooms will need frequent ventilation, the government said. That allows localized quarantines if thereโs a positive test, rather than closing entire schools. Parents and teachers have expressed concern, with new waves of outbreaks since the country emerged from a strict lockdown.
Ford Motor Company donates 20,000 face shields, masks to Wytheville first responders
Ford Motor Company donated face masks and face shields to the Wytheville Fire & Rescue Department. The department plans to share the 18,000 face masks and 2,000 face shields with other first responders and public safety agencies in Wythe County. Ford Motor Company donated face masks and face shields to the Wytheville Fire & Rescue Department. (Wytheville Fire & Rescue Department)Wytheville Fire & Rescue plans to deliver the masks from their 1919 Ford Model T American La France fire engine, which they showcased on Thursday along with the donations. The Virginia State Police, Wytheville Police Department and Wythe County Community Hospital are among the agencies who will be receiving donations.
Health official: More businesses cracking down on mask enforcement
ROANOKE, Va. โ One local health director said businesses appear to be learning the importance of wearing a face mask. As 10 News has reported, many major retailers have banned people from not wearing a mask indoors. In Virginia, masks have been required in public buildings since May, but many businesses have reportedly not been enforcing the policy. Roanoke and Alleghany Health Districts Director Dr. Molly OโDell said on Tuesday the Virginia Department of Health is reaching out to businesses whenever a mask complaint is reported. โWe help them develop tools or approaches to individuals who choose not to wear face coverings,โ OโDell said.
Georgia Tech wonโt require students to wear masks on campus. Faculty arenโt happy
CNN โ Over 750 faculty at Georgia Tech signed a letter to the University System of Georgia's Board of Regents saying that the school's plan to reopen campus without face mask requirements is dangerous and not based on science. The faculty letter comes after Georgia Tech issued its "Tech Moving Forward" plans for reopening campus with in-class instruction in the fall. According to the plan, Georgia Tech students are "strongly encouraged" to wear a cloth face covering on campus but are not required to do so. Seth Marder, a professor of chemistry, materials science and engineering at Georgia Tech, said the policy of not mandating masks is โirresponsible and puts the Georgia Tech community at significant health risk.โGeorgia is one of 31 states that have not mandated people wear masks. close dialogCovid-19Your local resource.Set your location and log in to find local resources and information on Covid-19 in your area.Set Location
โItโs a really important stepโ: Virginia Attorney General touts win in defense of mask mandate
RICHMOND, Va. โ Wearing a mask in public buildings will continue to be mandatory in Virginia. A lawsuit filed in the stateโs 20th Judicial Circuit challenging Governor Northamโs mandate issued last month lost in court Monday. The state attorney general's office argued in defense of the mandate. Attorney General Mark Herring said masks help keep people safe and show others you care about them. This is the tenth case the attorney generalโs office has won in defense of the stateโs coronavirus regulations.
Gov. Northamโs mask mandate has united Virginiaโs Republicans, says analyst
ROANOKE, Va. โ Gov. Ralph Northamโs mask order comes with plenty of controversy. Dr. Ed Lynch, 10 News political analyst, said politically, the governorโs order has Republicans against him, evident from their statements released on Tuesday. Lynch said this also highlights a downside of the stateโs one-term-and-out system for governors. โIt has had one definite impact: It has united the Virginia Republican party," said Lynch.
Local businesses, citizens making more masks ahead of mandatory requirement
ROANOKE, Va. โ Now that face masks will soon be mandatory in certain public settings in Virginia, their demand is bound to reach new heights. Amy Driver is a stay-at-home mom who is making masks free of charge for those in need. โEveryone has different abilities and I figure I can sew so I might as well do what I can to help,โ Driver said. Joe Stanley is the owner of Upcycled Gifts in Roanoke and he said making masks are whatโs keeping his business afloat. For more information on how to make your own face covering, you can watch the video they provide here.
โIโm fine with itโ: Airlines now requiring masks for passengers
Harvey said most people heโs seen in airports are wearing masks. โI feel safer flying, actually," said Harvey. "I fly all the time, so Iโm used to it.โKatherine Thatcher is a big fan of masks on airplanes. If you show up for your flight without a mask, airport marketing director Brad Boettcher said thereโs no need to panic. As for requiring masks in the airport itself, Boettcher said if that mandate comes down from the CDC the airport will comply, but as of Monday it was optional.
Del. Sam Rasoul passes out masks to Roanoke residents
ROANOKE, Va. โ Some local elderly residents can now better protect themselves from the coronavirus thanks to a Virginia lawmaker. Sam Rasoul, whoโs district includes Roanoke, handed out masks at Melrose Towers in Roanoke on Monday afternoon. He also handed out information about the coronavirus, instructions for making masks out of T-shirts and distributed fresh fruit for residents. So anytime weโve got a building like this, people congregating together, weโve got to do everything we can to protect vulnerable populations. Zion AME Church, the Roanoke Health Department and the Virginia Housing Authority.
Are babies supposed to wear face coverings? (No). Why do we need these now? Your mask questions, answered
In case you missed it, health officials are now recommending that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings, for example, in spots where it might be difficult to maintain social distancing. Just keep in mind: โThese face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing. Cloth face coverings are especially important to wear in public in areas of widespread COVID-19 illness.โGot it. Wearing cloth face coverings is an additional public health measure. โCloth face coverings can be made from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost,โ the CDC said.
โSheโs the heroโ: Martinsville City Council member delivering masks made by local business owner
MARTINSVILLE, Va. โ A Martinsville City Council member is trying to make sure people in his city who need masks to help protect themselves from the coronavirus have them. He volunteered to sell and deliver them for the Martinsville business owner who made them because she doesnโt have time. When Turner saw police officers out on a community walk Thursday morning, he stopped and gave them some masks. Iโve been delivering masks all morning long," Turner said. She was making masks before she even knew she had a market for them.โThe police department plans to handout the masks during the next community walk to people in need.