An area health department has answered a question regarding masks.
From the Cooper County Health Department: Why is Cooper County not mandating masks?
Health department officials say: “The ability to enforce the wearing of masks is a civil legal matter. Legal enforcement or injunctions cannot be obtained in a timely manner. The legal fees for enforcement for each person not wearing a mask would force the health center to close due to lack of funds.
“Cooper County is a third-class county. That legal status (due to population size), limits the authority of county government and political subdivisions. First- and second-class counties that are much larger than Cooper have greater legal authority. These rules are set by the State of Missouri.”