Proponents and issuers of face mask mandates are frustrated by Americans who decline to comply. Many elected officials have taken to social media in long, winded rants about the importance of face coverings; “wear a mask” and “mask up” can be seen in advertisements across multiple platforms.
Still, pushback against face masks is growing, especially as the government opts to mandate these coverings in certain parts of the country. “We’re all in this together” has quickly shifted into “wear a mask or else.”
Last week, Cuyahoga County in Ohio created a tipline specifically designed for residents to report individuals who are not wearing face coverings, notes sources.
What to Know About Cuyahoga County’s Snitch Line
Individuals who forward complaints to the Cuyahoga County hotline will have them reviewed by Cuyahoga County employees.
Following the review process, the complaints will then be sent over to the applicable villages or cities. At this time, failure to wear a face mask in seven particular counties is a second-degree misdemeanor offense. Violators are subject to a possible $750 fine and three months behind bars.
As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to increase, Mayor Frank G. Jackson and @CuyahogaCounty orders the uses of masks in public among other things. View the full update: https://t.co/zrXteQqy9L pic.twitter.com/XosQ2IeXeA
— City of Cleveland (@CityofCleveland) July 3, 2020
Governor DeWine (R) has committed to reviewing his face mask mandate every week to assess its necessity. Armond Budish, an executive of Cuyahoga County, has attempted to paint the snitch line in a positive light.
Budish maintains that Ohio wants residents to wear masks “voluntarily” and that the snitch line is not meant for “going out and finding” individuals without masks; despite these talking points, though, Cuyahoga County’s snitch line enables Ohioans to do exactly what Budish claims they shouldn’t.
A Budding Culture War
Many Americans who do not favor face masks or mandatory masks view these things as representations of social control, rather than public health. Snitch lines to report people who are not wearing face masks will only further beliefs that public health is being used as a smokescreen for social control.
This is the right move. With Cuyahoga County currenty at Alert Level 3, @CityofCleveland Mayor Frank Jackson’s decision to mandate masks in public will make a real difference. https://t.co/PCAByXgHMJ
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) July 4, 2020
Additionally, not everyone can wear a mask. Some people have health issues like asthma, post-traumatic stress disorder, COPD, etc., that makes face-coverings dangerous for them. Other people suffer from mental health conditions or experience claustrophobia.
Cuyahoga County has also not addressed how their snitch line will impact individuals with physical or mental health issues that do not allow them to wear masks.
What do you think about the idea of people turning in others who are not wearing masks? Would you call a face mask snitch line if one became available in your community? Let us know in the comments section below!
