Tacoma Passes Resolution Encouraging Facial Coverings In Public

TACOMA, WA — Tacoma City Council has passed a resolution urging residents to wear facial coverings while in public spaces to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The bill, Resolution 40620, reads in part:

"Residents of the City of Tacoma are encouraged to comply with Governor Inslee’s order to wear face coverings or masks when they are in outdoor or indoor public areas, when they do not meet the exemption criteria, especially when they cannot maintain a physical distance of six feet from others... ...City Council will use its influence and communication channels to encourage all residents of the City to wear face coverings in public, practice good hygiene and sanitation, limit travel, and follow recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19."

The resolution does not outline punishment for those who refuse to wear masks, but that is already covered by Gov. Inslee's mask mandate. On June 26, the statewide mandate went into effect, making refusal to wear a facial covering a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to a thousand dollars in fines. The governor and law enforcement agencies across the state have unanimously said that punishment will remain a last-ditch resort, and that facial covering resolutions and mandates are about education and safety over strict enforcement.

There are exceptions to both Inslee's mandate and the Tacoma City Council's resolution. Residents do not need to wear masks in public if:

• They cannot safely wear a mask. This includes those with respiratory issues who cannot breathe easily through the cloth.
• They are deaf or hard of hearing, who need to be able to read lips to communicate.
• They are children under the age of five. Children under two should not wear masks at all, as they can be a choking hazard.

Tacoma lawmakers who supported the resolution say it's especially important that residents wear masks now, considering that coronavirus cases in Pierce County have more than doubled over the past three weeks spent in Phase 2.

"We must not risk our hard-fought progress,” said Councilmember Catherine Ushka. "Even with relaxed restrictions, we must maintain our commitment to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and wearing face coverings is one key way we can do that. The actions we take now are vital in our efforts to restore the health of both our community and our economy."

The resolution came the same day that Pierce County's top health official announced that they would not be applying to enter Phase 3 or loosen restrictions with a 'modified Phase 2' because of spiking case counts across the region.

Related stories:

Pierce County Will Not Apply For Phase 3, Or Modified Phase 2

Younger Adults May Be To Blame For King County's Spike In Cases