In an open letter, Mayor Will Hill announced that he is not mandating the wearing of face masks in the City, “We’ve talked about it, but the reality is we just don’t have the manpower to effectively enforce that kind of order.” Instead, he urged citizens to “do the right thing” by wearing a mask, and is asking business owners and religious leaders to promote “MaskUpMississippi”. “In addition I am asking every business and rorganization to consider posting a sign, posting a sign on your door requiring your patrons, all of them, your visitors, your members to wear a face mask,” noted Hill in earlier public discussions. The letter asks for everyone to wear a mask when in public and other people are around. “You are being asked to wear a mask as matter of self and social responsibility rather than policing. Your assistance is greatly appreciated and will create a community that changes culture through wise choices. County moves up in COVID-19 cases From Staff Reports Winston County has 2 new deaths and 109 new cases since last week reported by the Mississippi State Department of Health. The county’s cases increased from 302 to 411 in the past week. Deaths increased from 11 to 13 in the past week. The new cases were from Monday to this Tuesday. Statewide as of July 21, Mississippi had 1,358 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and another probable 31 deaths. The state had 44,999 cases with another 525 probable cases. MSDH presumed 30,315 persons as recovered from COVID-19 in the state. Masks orders have been issued for dozens of counties and cities in the country. Confirmed cases and deaths are generally determined by positive PCR tests, which detect the presence of ongoing coronavirus infection. Probable cases are those who test positive by other testing methods such as antibody or antigen, and have recent symptoms consistent with COVID-19, indicating a recent infection. Probable deaths are those individuals with a designation of COVID-19 as a cause of death on the death certificate, but where no confirmatory testing was performed.
