On April 13th, Mayor Steve Adler and Judge Sarah Eckhart announced a controversial new COVID-19 policy. This policy states that Austin and Travis County residences must wear a mask when out in public and at essential businesses where maintaining at least six feet between yourself and people that are not in your family is not possible. This does not include eating, drinking, or exercising out in public. The penalty for not obeying this mandate is a fine of up to $1,000 dollars and up to 180 days in prison. Adler and Eckhart have also asked for residents to self-police and call 311 on any citizens that are not obeying the order. 

While this policy was made with the best intention of keeping residents safe, it will be largely ineffective because of the unavailability of proper masks and face coverings. Proper surgical masks can not be found anywhere, and are out of stock on most popular web stores like Amazon and are selling for hundreds of dollars on eBay and other resell sites. Also, it was asked of Austin and Travis County residents to not wear proper personal protective equipment like surgical masks or N95 respirators because of the short supply of them that needs to be saved for medical personnel and essential workers. 

 With the unavailability of these masks, people have resulted in making and wearing homemade masks. While these people have the right idea in mind, most people are not following the guidelines set out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on making and maintaining homemade masks. Homemade masks that are the most effective are those that have multiple layers of cotton fabric, fit snugly around the mouth and nose, and are able to be washed without losing their form. 

Homemade masks that are not made properly, i.e. tying a single layer of shirt or bandana around just the mouth or masks that do not fit properly, can be very harmful. These improper masks can provide residents with a false sense of security and have them feel as though they do not need to be as vigilant when maintaining social distancing guidelines. 

Wearing homemade masks is better than nothing, but only if the guidelines that are set out by the CDC are followed. If not followed, they can pose a new danger as residents stop being vigilant about social distancing guidelines, putting themselves and others at risk.

 In regards to the criminal charges that can be imposed because of this new policy, I have an issue with the hefty fine that can be imposed on Austin and Travis County residents. The possibility of receiving a $1,000 for not wearing a mask in public, especially with the economy in the state that it is and with many Austin-Travis county residents out of work, is absurd. How can it be expected for people to pay a fine of 1,000 dollars when the rate of unemployment in the U.S. is at an unprecedented amount of 16 million adults, with many more facing wage cuts and salary loss. As well as many people not being able to pay rent, buy groceries, or support themselves because of a loss of income. It should be noted however, that the police department has stated that fines will only be issued after repeated offensenses. However, this is just a statement, and statements are subject to change. Without proper assurance that that is the official policy, I do not believe that the fine is fair or just. 

The biggest issue, however, is the “self-policing initiative.” Asking residents to call the police on their fellow neighbors when they do not know the reason for them to not be wearing a mask is dangerous and creates a hostile community environment. Excessive calling on the 311 number will also cause police to be spread thin, and prevent them from being able to adequately respond to actual emergencies that need them. 

On a surface level, this policy has the intention of protecting the citizens of Austin and Travis county but has unintended consequences of harming them economically and destroying community bonds with over vigilant policing.