Topline Mississippi is lifting its statewide mask-wearing mandate, Gov. Tate Reeves (R) said Wednesday, making it the first state to institute and end a public health measure that experts say is one of the most effective ways to stem the spread of coronavirus. Gov. Tate Reeves (R) adjusts his face mask as he prepares to leave his Covid-19 press briefing, … [+] Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Jackson, Mississippi. The governor, who has admitted to disliking the wearing of a face mask, nevertheless wears one in public. ASSOCIATED PRESS Key Facts The mask mandate will expire at 5 p.m. Central time on Wednesday, and Reeves said he will not be extending it. The mandate had been in place since Aug. 4, and Reeves had extended it several times before Wednesday’s announcement. Reeves said he believes that mask-wearing helps prevent the spread of coronavirus and that the mandate has been effective, but argued that keeping it in place would have amounted to government overreach. New coronavirus cases, as well as hospitalizations and deaths, are all on the decline in Mississippi. Neighboring Alabama has extended its mask-wearing mandate, also set to expire… Click below to read the full story from Forbes
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