Would a mask mandate get more people to wear a mask in order to stop the spread?

Walk around town and you will see, it’s split. Not everyone is wearing a mask.

Health experts say wearing one can make a difference in the fight against COVID-19, but many aren’t listening to guidelines.

Some people willingly wear masks, others flat out refuse. Even if wearing a mask, combined with social distancing and good hygiene, could save lives.

“If they have a choice they’re going to exercise that choice. If people are forced to wear a mask, I think there will still be a small percentage of people that don’t or won’t,” said Dr. Laura Streyffler, a licensed mental health counselor.

Governor Ron DeSantis will not mandate people wear masks in public, leaving it up to local lawmakers. So far, no one in SWFL has done so.

This week, we did a social experiment. We went to Cape Coral, set up a camera outside Walmart and Publix for an hour then counted those with and without a mask. The split was almost 50/50.

“I personally figure it’s just a virus and most people aren’t dying from it and I don’t wear a mask during flu season. So I’m not particularly worried about it,” said Caren Miglin who was not wearing a mask.

“What about your mother? What about you know the little kid walking down the street? You need to put a mask on. You need to think about other people. Stop being selfish,” said Nicole Kersten who chose to wear a mask.

Streyffler said a mask mandate would change some people’s habits, but not all.

“It’s like, you know, I’m good. Nothing’s going to happen to me and it hasn’t touched their lives, so they think it doesn’t apply to them or that wearing a mask will protect other people and they really don’t care because it doesn’t affect them or they feel good, so it’s an out of sight, out of mind type of thing,” she said.

Streyffler also noted it’s not just young people going into crowds. She said people of all ages may be letting their guard down.

Some figure it’s okay since the “Safer At Home” order is over. Others don’t think it’s a problem if they’re just running into the store for a minute, but experts say that kind of thinking can contribute to the spread of the virus.