Welcome to Texas, please put your mask on, citizen, or we'll be forced to report you to the government.
As each day passes more and more of your civil liberties are going away.
Today we take you to the town of Lardeo, Texas where citizens are now legally required to wear masks.
The city of Laredo in Texas is now requiring all residents to wear a mask any time they enter a building that is not their home, or face up to a $1,000 fine.
Beginning Thursday, the ordinance approved by the Laredo City Council mandated that anyone entering a building, using public transit or pumping their gas must cover their nose and mouth with a mask, bandana, scarf or any cloth or face a fine up to $1,000. The rule will remain in place until April 30.
“This does not apply when a person is: engaging in a permissible outside physical activity; that are riding in a personal vehicle; that are in alone in a separate single space; that are with their own shelter group (household members); when doing so poses a greater health, safety or security risk; or for consumption purposes,” the City of Laredo said in a press release.
The council also voted to extend a curfew to pertain to all citizens requiring them to stay in their homes between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless they are out for essential services. Otherwise, they may face a fine of between $50 and $1,000 or jail time of up to 180 days.
Those who have to work between those hours must show proof such as a work ID or a signed letter from their employer. Those who are outside for exercise or to walk pets may do so at any hour and do not need to wear a mask.
Some expressed concern that people may not be able to afford such fines during the pandemic. “I’d rather bury them in debt than bury them in a coffin,” Councilman George Altgelt responded, according to the Laredo Morning Times.