Mayor says El Paso face mask order taking effect Monday is not an ‘onerous burden’
EL PASO, Texas -- Mayor Dee Margo said he does not think a new face mask order that takes effect Monday in El Paso is an "onerous burden," but rather is a small price to pay to keep the economy open and stop the spread of the coronavirus.
"We're going to have to figure out how to live with this virus and do the things that need to be done in order to stop the spread and keep our economy open to the extent that we can do it in a safe manner," he said.
El Paso joins Bexar, Travis, Hidalgo, Cameron, Harris, Hays and Dallas counties — without opposition from Gov. Greg Abbott — who have all now issued orders mandating businesses to require employees and customers wear face masks, or risk fines that vary by jurisdiction.
Although the governor issued an executive order June 3 banning local governments from imposing fines or criminal penalties on people who don't wear masks in public, Abbott this past week said they could put the onus for face masks on businesses.
"Government cannot require individuals to wear masks," Abbott said. "Local governments can require stores and business to require masks."
But that move by the governor has brought skepticism from some.
State Sen. Bob Hall criticized the way the orders are now placing the enforcement responsibility on business owners, who now "become a de-facto law enforcement arm."
Hall called it "bizarre, convoluted, and confusing."
Other critics say the governor's lack of a statewide mandate, even as he emphasized the importance of wearing a mask, had prompted some Texans to let their guards down against taking precautions to stop the virus' spread.
State Rep. Erin Zwiener believes the reason Abbott allowed this new round of face mask orders to occur is because of the rising, record numbers of new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.
She said she doubts the governor would have allowed the order a month ago. But increasing infections and hospitalizations across Texas have now come several weeks after Abbott allowed businesses to begin reopening.
