The following statement is issued from the Calcasieu Parish Executive Policy Group, which consists of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President, Mayors of all Municipalities in the Parish (DeQuincy, Iowa, Lake Charles, Sulphur, Vinton, Westlake), and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff:
The recommendations from respected members of the medical and scientific community are clear and consistent. The Centers for Disease Control, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, United States Surgeon General, Louisiana Department of Health, and the vast majority of the Southwest Louisiana medical community all agree that protective face masks lower the transmission of COVID-19 and that properly wearing a face mask is safe.
Southwest Louisiana has recently seen a steep rise in COVID-19 cases. Our medical workers are already feeling the increased strain, and this will become exponentially worse if we do not improve our adherence to effective health practices. It has never been more important for citizens to use caution, practice social distancing, wash hands frequently, and wear face masks.
We thank the many local businesses and citizens who are already taking these precautions. Wearing a mask helps protect you and your neighbor. We fervently and confidently advocate for mask wearing throughout Southwest Louisiana.
Local officials and law enforcement are calling upon local businesses and employees to adhere to the governor’s recent executive order which mandates “all businesses and organizations shall require that any owner or employee having interaction or contact with the public shall wear a mask or a face covering.” Reducing incidence of the virus will require compliance with these legal measures in place as well as diligence on the part of all our citizens.
