Face Mask Mandates Struck Down By Kemp; Leaders Furious

ATLANTA, GA — Faced with increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp late Wednesday extended an order requiring social distancing and other health restrictions.

There was one small change in the order, though: Not only did Kemp’s order not mandate masks, it explicitly prohibited localities from mandating masks as well.

Kemp has vocally encouraged using masks while refusing to mandate their use, saying that any restriction is “unenforceable.”

Face masks in public are required by Athens-Clarke County, Augusta, Brookhaven, Decatur, DeKalb County, Doraville, Dunwoody, East Point, Rome, South Fulton and Savannah. They also are required in Atlanta, where Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms — who is on the short list to run as vice president with presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden — has publicly sparred with Kemp over Black Lives Matter protests and coronavirus restrictions.

Kemp’s order, which voided existing local mask mandates, immediately drew fire from city and county leaders.

“It’s officially official. Governor Kemp does not give a damn about us,” Savannah Mayor Van Johnson tweeted Wednesday night. “Every man for himself/herself. In Savannah, we will continue to keep the faith and follow the science. Masks will continue to be available.”

In Athens, where multiple media sources report that hospitals are turning away new patients, an Athens-Clarke County commissioner called for Kemp to quit.

“And he still won’t enact lifesaving measures,” Commissioner Russell Edwards said to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I’m at a loss. He should resign.”

On Wednesday, Georgia reported 3,871 new cases of COVID-19, its second-highest one-day jump in cases since the pandemic began. In addition, the state reported 14,102 hospitalizations — 417 more than the day before — and 2,702 admissions to intensive care units.

Georgia's health department also reported 3,091 deaths from COVID-19 so far this year. Fulton County, where Atlanta is based, claimed 331 of those deaths, more than any other Georgia county.

Lance Bottoms said through a spokesperson that Atlanta would ignore Kemp's order.

“The mayor’s order remains in effect, as science and data will continue to drive the city’s decisions,” Michael Smith told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Masks save lives.”

Several dozen states — including Texas, West Virginia and nearby Alabama, all headed by Republicans — have mandated masks.

Instead, according to The Athens Banner-Herald, Kemp has promoted optional use of masks as a way of ensuring Georgians could enjoy football season this fall.

A political science professor in Augusta, a city where masks are required, predicted that the matter will end up in court.

“(The order) is really surprising as well coming from a conservative that generally goes against state power, governmental, centralization,” Craig Albert, a political science professor at Augusta University, said to WRDW-TV.

Albert added that he thought it was unlikely state troopers would escort maskless civilians into government buildings just to make a point. If mask mandates result in fines, he said, expect a lawsuit from the state.

It is officially official. Governor Kemp does not give a damn about us. Every man and woman for himself/herself. Ignore the science and survive the best you can.

In #Savannah, we will continue to keep the faith and follow the science. Masks will continue to be available!
— Mayor Van Johnson (@MayorJohnsonSAV) July 16, 2020