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nebrisThe mayor of an Oklahoma city amended an emergency declaration requiring customers to wear face masks while inside businesses after store employees were threatened with violence.
Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce announced the change Friday afternoon, less than 24 hours after the declaration took effect.
“In the short time beginning on May 1, 2020, that face coverings have been required for entry into stores/restaurants, store employees have been threatened with physical violence and showered with verbal abuse," City Manager Norman McNickle said in a statement. "In addition, there has been one threat of violence using a firearm."
Joyce said in a series of tweets that he expected some pushback on requiring face masks but did not think there would be physical confrontations with employees and threatening phone calls to City Hall.
"I hate that our businesses and their employees had to deal with abuse today, and I apologize for putting them in that position," the mayor wrote.
"I am not the kind of person who backs down from bullies, but I also will not send someone else to fight the battle for me," he added in a second tweet.
Joyce said face masks are still required for store employees and are now "strongly recommended" for customers.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/city-ends-face-mask-rule-205822754.html
Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce announced the change Friday afternoon, less than 24 hours after the declaration took effect.
“In the short time beginning on May 1, 2020, that face coverings have been required for entry into stores/restaurants, store employees have been threatened with physical violence and showered with verbal abuse," City Manager Norman McNickle said in a statement. "In addition, there has been one threat of violence using a firearm."
Joyce said in a series of tweets that he expected some pushback on requiring face masks but did not think there would be physical confrontations with employees and threatening phone calls to City Hall.
"I hate that our businesses and their employees had to deal with abuse today, and I apologize for putting them in that position," the mayor wrote.
"I am not the kind of person who backs down from bullies, but I also will not send someone else to fight the battle for me," he added in a second tweet.
Joyce said face masks are still required for store employees and are now "strongly recommended" for customers.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/city-ends-face-mask-rule-205822754.html