Public Health Issues Mask Advisory, but Stops Short of Masking Order

Door County’s Public Health Department reiterated its support for masks Thursday in a strongly-worded statement on the issue.

The statement came in the form of a public health advisory that essentially doubles down on the advice the department issued weeks ago, but it is not a county-wide masking order that many have called for. Door County Emergency Services Director Dan Kane said it does not include an enforcement component or penalty for not wearing masks.

The county reports 17 active cases of COVID-19 and a total of 81 positive tests and 294 tests pending. Door County’s total increased by 1 Thursday, and the state’s total increased by 1,052 cases.

The advisory says that all people over the age of 5 should wear a mask or face covering when in public, including all businesses, health care settings, and transportation.

“Scientific evidence shows that masks play an important role in reducing the spread of COVID-19,” according to the advisory issued by public health manager Sue Powers. “This is a critical time for Door County with a marked increase in COVID-19 activity over the past few weeks.”

The statement goes on to say that the advisory “should not be used as justification to harass or harm another person who is either wearing or not wearing a face covering.”

The Door County Board of Supervisors will discuss the advisory next week.