First day of mandatory masks in Fall River: People grinning and wearing it

FALL RIVER – As Janice Jezak headed out for a bike ride on the Quequechan Rail Trail with her husky Jackson attached to the bike, she secured her mask in place.

On Wednesday, Gov. Charlie Baker’s executive order mandating the public wear a face covering while in public when social distancing is not possible went into effect.

Even before the order, Jezak said she was already wearing a mask in public.

“We have to do what we have to do to keep everyone healthy. We have to think about others,” she said.

As Kaisha Mercado set off with her family for a walk through the Rail Trail, she made sure her kids were wearing masks as well as they followed on their bikes.

“If it’s necessary, it’s necessary. It’s just transitioning to a new life,” she said as they headed out on the sunny day.

Customers heading into the Stop and Shop on Rodman Street were also geared up with their masks.

Mayor Paul Coogan said the city Board of Health inspectors would be responding to calls of people violating the order, but their initial response would be to inform people they were violating the order, not necessarily handing out the $300 fine for violating it.

Coogan said the city is also counting on stores and their customers to comply with the new official mandate.

“We want to work with people and ease them into this, we’re trying to limit police interaction. We want people to be responsible,” he added.

It also appeared that people were complying with the governor’s order at the other end of the city as customers heading into the Rocky’s Ace Hardware on President Avenue were sporting masks and they approached and left the busy store.

Andrea Silva said she had been wearing a mask in public before the order, but she was happy to see it officially instituted. “I think if it’s going to save lives everyone should wear one,” she added.

Manny Arruda, another customer heading into Rocky’s, said he and his wife were still waiting for the masks she ordered in April to arrive by mail. In lieu of that, he was wearing a bandana that covered his nose and mouth. Echoing the sentiment of others, he said he was not inconvenienced by having to wear a mask in public.

“Unfortunately I think we’re in it for the long haul,” he said.