The Fishers Health Department issued a Public Health Order July 20th requiring masks to be worn in indoor spaces, other than personal residences, and outdoors when 6-foot distancing is not possible.  The Order is effective Friday, July 24th at 8:00am.  It contains much more detail and is available to read at this link.

What surprised me about the order is what it does not say.  There is no specific provision on enforcement, except to state the local health department “may enforce this Order in accordance with Indiana law.”  There is no fine structure contained in the Order.

I realize the aim of the Public Health Order is not to be punitive, but the document is clear that this is a legal mandate.  By and large, I expect Fishers residents and visitors will abide by this order.  But there will be exceptions.  We have all seen the YouTube videos of some people that become aggressive, screaming at the top of their lungs they will not wear a mask and even some cases where people physically attack retail personnel.

Without any specific enforcement provisions I wonder how effective this Order will be.  Just referring to enforcement based on state statutes doesn’t say much.

I do salute the city for being one of the few localities in Indiana willing to take this step in the name of public health based on Fishers Public Health Department data.  This is a step our state and county governments have refused to take up to now.

Wearing a mask in public is  the most important action any of us can take to say we care about those around us.  The science is clear – masks mitigate the spread of COVID-19.