An area in Tennessee that’s home to several popular resort cities will require people to wear masks in public places starting on Friday. The mayor of Sevier County issued an Executive Order on Tuesday that will require people in the county, as well as in the cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, to wear masks in public indoor spaces and businesses. According to the order, masks are required in all city incorporated areas, essentially all public places. WBIR reports that Sevier County continues to have one of the highest coronavirus case loads across East Tennessee and is now considered a COVID-19 ‘hot spot’ in the state. Private businesses can still impose stricter guidelines beyond the order, like requiring masks outdoors on private property, for example.

A Tennessee elected official went on a homophobic rant during a public meeting and then claimed white men in the United States "have very few rights." His remarks prompted Sara Thompson, chair of the Sevier County Democrats, to rebuke Hurst. "The statements made by Commissioner Hurst at the Sevier County Commission meeting of October 21, 2019, do not reflect the opinion or position of Sevier County administration," the post said. "Sevier County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or status in any other group protected by law." RELATED STORIESKevin Hart's Ex-Wife Insists He's Not Homophobic: Today on Inside EditionActress Who Played Cindy on 'The Brady Bunch' Fired for Homophobic Rant: ReportOpenly Gay Pastor Admits He Wrote Homophobic Slur on Whole Foods Cake