b'FACINGFOGHORN FOCUSFACTS:Masks OnPASSENGER VESSELSBY KAREN RAINBOLT // FOGHORN MANAGING EDITORE veryone has a story. A story about someone who refuses to wear aIn contrast to the federal hands-off stance, many states and localities face mask during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite health andhave requirements about the use of face masks. As of October 21, 33 medical experts warning about spreading the virus, some peoplestates, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have regulations choose to ignore the experts and scoff at posted signage indicating thataddressing face mask usage. Some mask mandates require individuals face masks are required.So, what should businesses do? to cover their mouths and noses whenever they are outside their home and/or near people who do not share their household. Others, such as ManyPVAvesselmembersarecontendingwiththeconundrumNew York State, say that face masks should be used in public settings if of policies to require or promote the wearing of face coverings bysocial distancing of at least six feet cannot be achieved. passengersandcrewmembers.Therearenomaskmandatesby federal agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, but the Centers forInresponse,masksrequiredsignswerequicklypostedatvessel Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges people to wear masksoperationsaroundthenationandinformationabouttheneedto in public settings, like on public and mass transportation, at events andwear a face mask to board a passenger vessel was added to nearly every gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people. Of course,operators website. The message was clear: No Mask, No Ride.this CDC recommendation is only that; it is not enforceable.WORLD-CLASS VESSEL DESIGN HIGH-VALUE SHIPYARD SUPPORT TRUSTED CONSULTANT SKILLED GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORRIVER 105FT RUNNEROVER 100 PROVEN DESIGNS FOR A WIDE RANGE OF CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTSHIGH-SPEEDMEDIUM-SPEED PASSENGER RO/PAX HIGH-SPEED RIVER RUNNER RO/PAX703-920-7070|INQUIRIES@BMTDP.COM|WWW.BMT.ORGFOGHORN FOCUS 14 FOGHORN'