In a Facebook post Thursday, Lee County Sheriff Tracy Carter said that while he encourages safety measures in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, he and his staff won’t enforce Governor Roy Cooper’s order to wear masks while in public:
Carter’s decision follows announcements on Wednesday by sheriffs in Halifax and Sampson counties that they too would decline to enforce Cooper’s order, which takes effect at 5 p.m. on Friday. Duplin County Sheriff Blake Wallace, who is a Sanford native, posted a similar message on Wednesday.
Reached for comment, Carter said residents would still be required to follow rules posted by private businesses.
“If you’re in a business that has a mask requirement, and you don’t want to wear one, you need to leave,” he said. “At that point, it becomes a trespassing issue.”
Sanford Mayor Chet Mann said officers with the Sanford Police Department are being encouraged to use masks themselves, and would be willing to enforce the order “where it makes sense.”
“We’re not going to have officers out just looking for people without masks,” he said. “But I expect they’ll enforce it where it makes sense. The main thing I want people to remember is that wearing a mask when you can is a very simple thing we can do that will help us stop the spread of this virus and hopefully allow us to get back to a more normal way of life sooner rather than later.”
So disappointed in Sheriff Carter’s response!!
But, I do have to add that it does not make me appreciate any less all the good things the Sheriff has done for Lee County
Thank you Tracy Carter for making this great decision and not falling for Democratic scare tactics.
Your challenged, I’m a Republican and it’s people like you that’s going to get Biden elected
people like you well i assume u r a republican and that’s fine what does this have to do with politics? As the person above referred to democratic scare tactics please let me know how all this works out for u God forbid your wife husband mom dad or your child dies from this and low and behold you gave it to them . it’s easy to blame others when u haven’t been effected by it as my democratic self says stay safe …
Penny I believe you missed the point, that is was I was getting at that this had nothing to do with a scare tactic
Has nothing to do with parties Its common sense and we want to save lives. It’s proven by scientists and numbers. I too am very disappointed in Carter.
Omg…. your ignorance is frightening.
Thanks Tracy Carter
Thank you!
I can honestly say I am ashamed to live in a county that would have this man in the office. People will die because of the decision this man has made.
i was in Sanford today and i’m am thankful i don’t live there anymore!!! in the stores i want in thank goodness sensible people wore masks!!! And then there were the ones who were stupidly verbalize how it’s their God given right not to and such bullshit as that !!! Ask how many of this ignorant people have been affected by this virus yet?? For example has your mother wife husband or child died or perhaps your grandparents?? See what they are thinking about is themselves this is not only about them but OTHERS. what they need to remember is God also gave them sense to care about others as much as if not more than themselves… Stay safe…
Our Lee County Sheriff Tracy Carter was voted in by the citizens of Lee County. His job is to protect and serve all citizens. I am very disappointed that he has taken this stand on masks,
North Carolina’s Governor Roy Cooper made this decision to protect North Carolinians. I respect him for standing up and making this decision. I watch the daily briefings and have come to realize that Our Governor is a man of character who truly cares for the people who live in North Carolina. We are the greatest country on this earth and many people are not taking this virus seriously. I am so glad that we have a Governor who does love ALL people. Our local leaders should stand up and respect that decision and care for the people who live in Lee County. I also have an underlying condition and can’t risk getting covid19. I am lucky that I am retired and can stay home and protect myself. I am disappointed that our sheriff can not stand up and do the right thing and protect those who have to get out and work. I pray for our county, state and nation daily. I pray that our leaders will look at the data and realize that we need leaders who choose to make good decisions that will save many lives and not make decisions for his own popularity. Our leaders are held accountable for their actions. This is real and we should ALL stand together and do what is right and necessary for ALL people in Lee County. So wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, and wait six feet apart. Stay safe and pray that our sheriff will rethink this and start respecting and following the mandate that our Governor has put into place.
I too am disappointed in the response of Sheriff Carter. I am comfortable wearing a mask in public and plan to continue. I am not wearing the mask for my protection but for respect to others when social distancing is not practical or can’t be helped.
It concerns me that others who choose not to wear a mask blatantly ignore social distancing guidelines and can not wait for you to finish shopping in a store without getting in your space.
Ban anyone from entering an establishment if they are not wearing a mask. If they choose to enter anyway, charge them with trespassing. I just returned from West Jefferson and was very impressed with their business establishments requiring masks to enter.
I am disappointed in some establishments in Lee County that have practiced poor social distancing, while I have seen other establishments go beyond the minimum standard to practice social distancing. I will continue to support these establishments that go beyond the minimum.
This is not a joke people.
Obviously some of you that are commenting have not read the actual order to understand that there is actually no enforcement action that can be taken simply for not wearing a mask. However as the Sheriff stated if you are in a business that ask you to leave then that is a different matter “trespassing” and that can be enforced. Quote from Sheriff Carter: “If you’re in a business that has a mask requirement, and you don’t want to wear one, you need to leave,” he said. “At that point, it becomes a trespassing issue.” Maybe reading comprehension is not y’alls strong suit.
Well Captain comprehension find where the Sheriff said he would enforce the trespassing charge, I read he said it would be an issue. I did read he would not enforce face mask order. Maybe general comprehension is not your strong suit.
I agree with Tracy, everyone has a choice. If you want to wear a face coving wear it, if you don’t want to don’t. I will when necessary if not I WANT. I work and stay home so it doesn’t make sense to get in a up roar. We are grown and make choices everyday just use you best judgment that suits you.
Peggy, that is the idiotic thinking that has made the US such a germ-infested cess pool that we are all now banned from the continent of Europe. Masks don’t keep the wearer from getting sick, they prevent the mask-wearer from getting others sick. If you are too selfish to wear a mask to keep from potentially killing those around you then I don’t know what to say to you. Any sane and responsible government would force you to wear a mask or go home. Unfortunately we don’t have sane or responsible government in Lee County.
Thank you Tracy, some common sense prevails! The CDC and Dep. of Health and Human Services have no proof masks work.
Read the masks label and you will find that there is no statement that they will protect you from the virus. That’s because they will be sued for false advertising.
There is proof that masks do not work. Copy the link into your browser:
https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/5.0015044
That’s because the masks aren’t to keep YOU safe from us but to keep US safe from YOU. Why is this so hard for people to understand? I am so disappointed with Republican conspiracy theories and willful ignorance that I have left the party in embarrassment and will never return. You know that old saying what you don’t know won’t kill you? Well nowadays what YOU don’t know can kill EVERYBODY.
Thanks so much Sheriff Carter for not enforcing an Executive Order requiring face masks when the Order specifically provides that there be no criminal sanctions for individuals who don’t comply.
Public health initiatives should not be politicized. Governor Cooper is simply trying to emphasize that unless we just stay home, social distancing, hand washing/sanitizer and masks are about all we as individuals can do to try to keep from infecting others and to keep from being infected by others.
Chip I respect you very much, but don’t you politicize the issue when you come out and say your not backing the Governor. That’s fine not to enforce it, probably can’t but why comment at all. These statements are not helpful to the medical community that is trying to reign in this disease. If the governor was Republican do you think the sheriff would have been so quick to make his statement.
Announcing he won’t enforce it is telling people to disregard it. It is a political statement in defiance of the Governor. In a global health emergency. It is irresponsible to say the least.
As much as I would like 100% of the people to wear mask, I know that is not going to happen and we should not blame the Sheriff’s Dept. As he stated each business has to control that. They can’t follow you into the bathroom to make sure you have washed your hands for 20 sec. either. How can they make them walk down the store aisles that are clearly marked? They can’t enforce people texting or talking on their phones while driving either. Each of us has to be responsible for our own well being.
It does concern me when our sheriff comes out and states he will not cite people for not following the Governor’s mandate to wear a mask. He is giving the message to teenagers and adults that it is okay to break the rules and not respect authority. He is suppose to be a leader and follow by example. This is not political at all to me. This is about wearing a mask to help slow down a virus that hurts and kills people. It’s about pulling together and doing our part to help the medical workers who work hard to save lives.It is about being respectful for others and their lives. If his choice was not to cite people then he should have kept that to himself. By announcing it on facebook, he is publicly saying Im not going to respect authority and follow the mandate. I’m very disappointed in someone that I thought highly of. I hope Sheriff Carter will rethink his choice and stand up and be a true leader.
How do we know wearing a mask stops the virus? How can a governor mandate people wear a mask? I will wear one at work because we have to. Outside of work I will not. Sheriff Carter knows when someone is overreaching. Like he said, if you are scared stay home.
Exactly right LG. Our Sheriff should not have commented at all. Instead he politicized the issue by announcing he would not enforce an Order that he knew he couldn’t enforce in an effort to appear to be standing up for the folks who refuse to wear masks( for whatever reason)and in an effort to appear to be defying our Democratic Governor.
Enforcing an Order requiring individuals to wear masks would be next to impossible which is probably why Governor Cooper put no enforcement teeth against individuals in his Order. Again the Governor’s policy position is common sense. If we wear masks we are looking out for others as well as ourselves.
Did Sanford Mayor Chet Mann use the same Authority when the protesters were gathering? That’s would be a big fat NO. Now that the protesting has claim down now they what to enforce this rule they put in place to wear the mask. The laws don’t apply to all is one of the problem.
The dumbest statement ever, use spellcheck
I’m amazed at the amount of people that think the Sheriff’s departments most important job is to enforce the wearing of masks, do you think they have time for that silliness or that there is enough room in the jailhouse for all of us law breaking citizens? If you are scared stay home, everyone is delivering now, if you want to go out with your mask on, do it, feel safe knowing that you are protected against the people not wearing masks. I for one will not kowtow to Mr. Cooper and his ridiculous demands and closures. What we all need to realize is that everyone has their own opinion and beliefs and just because you don’t agree with them doesn’t mean they are wrong or that you are right, and the unnecessary name calling is needs to stop. People should be able to take their health in their own hands and not be told or forced to do what they don’t believe is right for them.
Ed I would argue with you that nobody is saying the sheriff should enforce the order, but I’ve learned not to argue with stupid people they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.
The people I know who have died of the virus have been delivery people. Blithely spreading pestilence and using “delivery” as your remedy still kills people, maybe just not people you care about.
I am very disappointed in Sheriff Tracy Carter. Mask not only protects you but protects the people around you. You should respect The Governor’s decision which I’m sure was hard for him to make. Also, his decision tells me he cares about the people. Do you? Cases will rise because of you not enforcing. 🙏🏻
Sheriff Carter is following the Constitution as opposed to a dictator. Gov Cooper ignores DANGEROUS MEDICAL FACTS like HYPOXIA for mask wearers . Refer to Vid.
https://banned.video/watch?id=5ef53d54672706002f3068f2
Oh God that’s got to be the truth it’s on banned video. Moron
DON’T LISTEN TO COOPER WATCH HIM! I didn’t see a mask when he was marching with the protestors! So don’t listen to nothing he says watch his actions something a MORON wouldn’t do.
Well I believe the protest were before 5 today when the order takes effect. So sad your hatred for Cooper outweighs what most medical professionals are asking us to do.
Oh yes, that famous “no masks” clause in the Constitution.
I hope each of you will watch the state briefing and the White House Task Force Briefing on
6-26-20. Many people are making wearing face coverings a political matter. It is not political it is about respecting others and saving lives. Governor Cooper mandated the wearing of masks in public places in NC to help stop the spread of coronavirus. He made a difficult decision knowing the decision would not be popular with many people. He did this for ALL North Carolinians. If you watch the daily briefings then you know that this is a man who is caring and compassionate for ALL people. It is all of our actions that effect whether we move into Phase 3 in the future. It is up to each of us to do our part. We need to work together as a community and do the right thing for ALL citizens of Lee County. As a leader in Lee County, Sheriff Tracy Carter needs to lead by example. Today at the WH briefing Vice President Pence went on record saying ” LISTEN TO AND RESPECT THE GUIDANCE OF YOUR STATE. If Sheriff Carter does not want to listen to the Governor or NC and respect his mandate maybe he will rethink things now that Vice President Pence said to listen and respect the guidance of your state. Personally, I will not be doing any business with stores who don’t follow the state guidelines. Hopefully, others will take a stand and do the same.
They asked for 2 weeks not 3 months.
Describes COOPER to a T! https://citizenwells.com/2020/06/23/gov-cooper-is-playing-by-his-own-rules-greensboro-news-record-curbing-the-spread-of-covid-19-protesters-gathered-in-thousands-tax-payers-limited-to-small-gatherings/
Bottom line is Cooper is a HYPOCRITE a job requirement when you are a Democratic Party Office holder!
As a Republican I’d like you to know that it’s guys like you reading these right wing nut job websites that are to get Joe Biden elected. No better than the far left, everything in this world is not political.
You should switch parties unless Mitt and Lindsey are your cup-of-tea, but I’m talking about Cooper and his hypocracy as it relates to this. Its ok for protestors to not social distance or wear masks but a regular citizen has to remain 6 ft apart and keep their masks on at all times! Can’t you see the hypocracy there? Its all over the country how phony this sheet is. Last I look we still had the 1st amend. And the only way Biden wins is by fraud open ur eyes.
Keep drinking your Kool Aide
Some of you just don’t get it. That’s why Lee county has been spiking in corona because people just don’t care. They want to show the world they can do anything they want. Young people have no respect for authority anymore and people just want to be defiant. Shame on you for being part of the problem. I saw a woman in Walmart wearing a face shield.. what is that going to do? Apparently you didn’t get the memo on what a face mask is. Protect yourself and stop trying to show your tough. I see kids around here all the time doing it. Having corona virus parties.. and guess what… they get infected. Wow what a surprise. Stop being ignorant and wear a mask. Don’t be a part of the problem.. be a part of the solution.
The Walmart lady’s face shield is probably fine. The point of a mask is to contain the wearer’s own breath. The woman’s face shield is likely to deflect her breath back at herself or downward toward the floor, reducing the danger to those around her. I wouldn’t get on her case about it, at least she is doing something to help.
But it doesn’t protect her from inhalation of germs.
I totally support this. Great job choosing not to enforce this unconstitutional and frankly not evidentially supported mask mandate.
Why is wearing a mask unconstitutional?
It isn’t. People want to make their tantrums sound more elevated, but it just makes them look even dumber.
Let the Covid cases rise!
As of 7/3/20 in Lee County:
Confirmed
843
Recovered
386
Deaths
8
But it’s okay, you don’t have to wear a mask to protect yourself and others. Continue to give businesses hell and cause scenes just for employee’s asking if you have a face covering out of courtesy to other customers in the store. It’s not a life threatening virus. You’re free to do as you please, and so is the Corona virus.
WAKE UP PEOPLE ALREADY..JUST WAKE UP AND FIND THE REAL FACTS