President Joe Biden is extending his mandatory mask mandate to the waters, which are overseen by the U.S. Coast Guard, with some people who probably are surprised about having to mask up. Watermen who fish and crab in Virginia, Maryland, and other areas of the country often work in pairs and live in small towns.
One island in Virginia that voted heavily for Trump called Tangier is isolated from the rest of the state and at one point was reportedly 100% Covid-19 free. Nevertheless, Tangier residents and watermen are not exempt from wearing masks anyway, according to the report from WBOC out of Maryland.
“For those working on the water, masks have not been required, until now,” says a reporter from a local Maryland channel. “The Biden Administration, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, is going to require anyone on board a federally regulated vessel, to wear a mask, which isn’t sitting well with watermen.”
One fisherman named Captain Robert Newberry stated: “As far as working on the water and being essential personnel, it’s a waste of our time and a waste of the government’s time to enforce it”.
He went on to say about the mandate: “I don’t agree with it at all, we’re essential personnel, we’ve been operating since the pandemic as essential personnel and we using any masks whatsoever. It’d be different if you’re inside but we’re out in the elements.”
Watermen questioned how or if the Coast Guard plans to enforce mask laws out on the water. The news channel also reported: “The U.S. Coast Guard is charged with enforcing CDC mandates on the water”
One man had this to say: “Who’s really going to know, I mean is someone going to come out and check on us?…” he went on, “It just started this week I’m assuming and I guess we’ll find out what happens”. “Repeated failure to comply could result in civil or criminal penalties” the Coast Guard said.
Watch:
A local news site on Virginia’s Eastern Shore that is read by Tangier Island residents had this to report:
According to an article on WBOC.com, President Biden has ordered all passengers on commercial vessels wear masks at all times. That includes the Eastern Shore’s oystermen and crabbers as well.
The President has decided that these watermen must be protected even though they will be working on the water away from crowds of people and have little or no risk of transmitting or catching COVID-19.
The Coast Guard has been ordered to enforce the new mask regulations.
It’s unclear if the Biden Administration is aware of the full ramifications of this and if he would consider exceptions, and we don’t know of any enforcement plans or reports yet, but that could change. We will update on the story if we find out.
