People caught in Compton, CA not wearing a mask when required will soon be facing stiff consequences.
Compton city officials announced on Thursday that residents will receive a warning for the first violation, a $500 fine for a second violation, $750 for a third violation, and $1,000 for the fourth.
According to local leaders, COVID-19 cases are continuing to grow exponentially in the city. Social distancing guidelines and mask mandates went into effect when the coronavirus pandemic began to spread in the U.S. in March of 2020.
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Once the number of cases began to plateau, public spaces and businesses began opening across the nation but coronavirus case numbers continue to rise, reported the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
California developed several resources to combat the virus and inform residents, including a COVID-19 website with updates. Despite this, the Golden State currently has over 600,000 reported coronavirus cases and over 11,000 reported virus-related deaths.
“To prevent infection, you must cover your nose and mouth when outside your home,” the official California response site states. “So wearing a mask is now required statewide. Wearing a mask or cloth face covering can slow the spread of COVID-19 by limiting the release of virus into the air. It also reinforces physical distancing, and shows you care about the health of others.”
“Don’t wear your mask under your nose or just on your chin. A mask is only effective if it covers both ways you breathe,” the site continues.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris recently echoed the importance of wearing a mask to combat coronavirus. Their belief is that everyone wearing a mask could potentially save 40,000 lives over the next three months, reported CBS News.
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“Every single American should be wearing a mask when they’re outside for the next three months, at a minimum,” said Biden during a briefing by public health experts in Wilmington. “Every governor should mandate mandatory mask-wearing. Let’s institute a mask mandate nationwide starting immediately, and we will save lives.”
Compton joins the growing list of California cities issuing mask related fines, Los Angeles Channel 7 News reported. Other cities issuing fines include Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Glendale, West Hollywood and Santa Monica.
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