'Grab Your Babies And Take Their Masks Off': Mask Mandate Lifted In Mecklenburg County

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, NC — Mecklenburg County Commissioner Vilma Leake advocated for the Mecklenburg County mask mandate to be lifted, delivering a line that brought her applause Wednesday night.

"You need to be able to go home, love your babies and take the daggum masks off," said Leake. "My motion is to allow these parents... to be able to be given take their masks off and enjoy life."

The mask mandate was unanimously lifted by the commission after the recommendation was given by the county health director.

“There are people dying every day, so it’s still important for us to continue to take every measure to protect life in the community, but I do think there’s a way to be more focused in that," said health director Dr. Raynard Washington.

Because of the way the mask mandate was instituted, it will take ten days to formally be over, so it will truly end Feb. 26.

Regardless of the mandate, Commissioner Pat Cotham had some advice for the sometimes terse crowd. “We need to not judge people if they’re wearing a mask,” said Cotham.

Washington said there are valid reasons people may be wearing masks and he encouraged those who are at-risk to do that.

“Getting a booster dose if you are eligible and continuing to wear a mask when appropriate, especially for people at high risk for serious illness, is the best thing you can do to avoid hospitalization and death from COVID-19,” said Washington.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are expected to discuss their mask mandate as well.