Soon after the final buzzer sounded Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium, so did the statewide mask mandate in Indiana.
Gov. Eric Holcomb’s public health order was downgraded to an advisory on Tuesday, loosening the rules as to whether or not face coverings are required in public places.
Holcomb is now leaving it all up to health departments in each of Indiana’s 92 counties to create their own policies as it pertains to mask compliance — outside of a few expectations such as in schools and government buildings.
Locally, Dr. Brian Niedbalski, Bartholomew County health officer, has said local businesses and nonprofits will determine their own masking rules from here on out. However, he is strongly encouraging the public to continue wearing masks.
"There will be no ‘requirement,’ although I am hoping businesses will continue to encourage patrons to wear masks," Niedbalski said Tuesday. "I believe most individuals will still wear masks in public because they understand it’s the right thing to do to protect themselves and others.”
While some places will opt to drop their masking rules, a majority don’t plan on changing their health protocols any time soon.
From the Bartholomew County Public Library, to Kroger, to Special Dogs & More, many organizations plan on continuing to ask visitors to wear masks while visiting. The Republic is among those businesses still requesting patrons to mask up while inside the building, a policy that our employees will also continue to follow.
It’s imperative that the public continue to adhere to the requests made by local organizations, as they’re the ones that have been impacted the most over the course of this past year.
Creating an issue over a minuscule request such as wearing a mask indoors isn’t going to end the pandemic any sooner.
Progress is being made on the COVID-19 front, but we’re still far from being out of the woods on the virus. Deaths and hospitalizations are down, but cases are starting to rise again statewide.
Niedbalski has said that until we achieve a higher vaccination percentage, locals need to stay vigilant. COVID-19 is still causing short- and long-term health issues for thousands across the state, and will continue to until more Hoosiers get vaccinated.
Personal responsibility has been key all along, and will now play an even bigger factor as we inch towards a post-pandemic life.
