'No Plans For A Mask Mandate': Harford County Executive

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — While Baltimore City and Montgomery County leaders authorized mask mandates in their respective jurisdictions Thursday, the leader of Harford County says that is not the direction he is taking at the moment.

"At this time I have no plans for a mask mandate," Harford County Executive Barry Glassman said in a statement Thursday.

"As you may be aware, our metrics have been rising," Glassman said. "I want to assure you that I am watching our numbers every day."

In Harford County, more than 17,000 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed since the pandemic began and nearly 300 people have died from COVID-19, according to the Maryland Department of Health's Aug. 5 data.

The coronavirus positivity rate has increased in Harford County to 4.56 percent, which is above the statewide average of 3.64 percent, the data shows.

One month ago, Harford's positivity rate was 0.84 percent, and the statewide rate was 0.66 percent.

The case rate has also seen an uptick in Harford County and is at 8.89 cases of coronavirus per 100,000 people.

Although he isn’t planning on issuing a mask mandate for Harford County, Glassman said that people should follow their own protocols.

"If you feel safer wearing a mask, please do - especially if you have not been vaccinated," Glassman said.

He encouraged vaccination as a means of preventing the infection from spreading.

"I am also strongly encouraging everyone to get a vaccine," Glassman said. "Vaccines are our best hope, and with your help I am confident that we will weather this storm."