| Hours after West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced a revamped mask requirement, the governor issued a second statement doubling down on the mandate, while thousands have taken to social media opposing the action.
New cases are roaring out of control across America, largely because the Trump administration has down-played the virus for months, including contradictory efforts against the nation's epidemiologists.
Justice said he knows West Virginians are tired of the pandemic, but warned that not wearing a mask is a violation of the law.
âI know, eight months into this pandemic, we are all tired and frustrated. I donât like wearing a mask just as much as you, and I surely donât want to see our fellow West Virginians in violation of the law,â Justice said in a news release. âHowever, no one has the right to risk anyone elseâs health. If you feel that you donât want to wear a mask, then the answer is simple: don't go into businesses or any other public buildings and risk harming your fellow West Virginians.â
Justice said there are penalties for residents not wearing masks or businesses not enforcing the mask requirement.
âIf a business asks you to put on a mask or leave, and you refuse to do so, you are violating the law. If a police officer orders you to put on a mask or leave, and you refuse to do so, you are also violating the law,â he said. âIf a police officer orders a business to enforce our indoor face covering requirement, and they refuse to do so, the business is violating the law. There are real penalties for these violations.â
The governor also said he was aware that his phone number has been shared online by some who are unhappy with the decision.
âFinally, if some people are angry, and think itâs funny to retaliate and post my phone number online, thatâs fine,â Justice said. âThe inconvenience is well worth it if we save just one life.â
The updated indoor face covering requirement will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14.
| 
