Mask Mandate On Federal Lands?

[SpiderLegs]

I don't want to argue or get lost in the weeds in a mask/no mask debate. But I'm reading Joe Biden's first Executive Order and it is a 100 day mask mandate on all federal property and lands. Can't find any source online to define what that is. Anyone have a link to confirm or deny if this will extend to hiking trails on Forest Service, NPS, BLM or other federal entities here in the state? I know the intent is primarily for federal buildings and such to protect the workplace.

[Jim]

@SpiderLegs
Can you link to the order?

[SpiderLegs]

@Jim_H - https://www.fedsmith.com/2021/01/20/bid ... buildings/

[Grimey]

@Jim_H
I don't think anyone can link to the order until it gets posted by the White House. Probably will be available tomorrow.

As for the term "federal property and lands", I don't understand the confusion. The President's coordinator of coronavirus response Jeff Zients said that mask use will be required when on federal property and lands. Until shown otherwise, one can assume that that means exaclty what it says: federal property and lands. Which would include NPS, NFS and BLM lands.

[chumley]

@SpiderLegs
I think you know that's not the order, a link to it, or anything other than a random site that mentions it?

And since you already live in--and regularly hike in-- a county where masks are mandatory on the trail anyway, what the fed announces is largely irrelevant!

[DixieFlyer]

@Grimey
good luck enforcing it...I'll be in the Tonto Forest on Friday and I won't be wearing a mask

[Grimey]

@DixieFlyer
LOL not my job to enforce anything. In fact if you see another maskless hiker out there it just might be me.

[Jim]

Well, I would like to read the actual order. I won't wear a mask either way, and it's totally unenforceable, but I would like to read it for myself since the press is really bad these days with facts and truth.

[RedRoxx44]

Just wear a neck gaiter and in the real minuscule chance you see anyone interested in enforcing this pull it up and say it just slipped off. Done.

[sidhayes]

@RedRoxx44
I am not going around with any fear of not wearing a mask. Ignore anything they say or do.

[sidhayes]

@RedRoxx44
I am not going around with any fear of not wearing a mask. Ignore anything they say or do.

[Jim]

So important, it had to be said twice!

[chumley]

@Grimey
The quote from Zients that I read said this:

"This executive action will direct the agencies to take action to require compliance with CDC guidance on mask wearing and physical distancing in federal buildings, on federal lands and by federal employees and contractors," said Biden counselor Jeff Zients, who will be the administration's Covid-19 response coordinator.

How long will it take for the "agencies" to take action? Will it be the USDA and DOI at the top, or FS, BLM, NPS farther down the chain?

And even so, CDC guidance does NOT require masks while recreating outdoors. It says you should distance and bring a mask to put on when you encounter people who may get closer than 6-feet.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nc ... ities.html

In the end, none of it matters in relation to hiking. Local mandates here already follow the CDC guidelines. IMO, it's a largely symbolic action to try to illustrate a shift in how the pandemic is being perceived by DC.

Carry on.

[SpiderLegs]

@chumley - I was trying to find a non-partisan news source, couldn't find the Executive Order posted yet.

Brother is a sheriff's deputy in Pima County, nobody is enforcing the mask rule. He hasn't pulled anyone over for curfew violations or for mask infractions. Do my part at the store, but if I'm outside on a trail I'm going maskless.

[RedRoxx44]

On the flip side if I am somewhere where there might be trail cam's or a property issue I have found covering part of one's face to be VERY helpful.

[DixieFlyer]

@Jim_H
Below is a link to the order.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-roo ... k-wearing/

[Jim]

Irony: in the text it applied to executive branch, but unless there is a similar law or order, not legislative branch lands.

Either way, I did not see any enforcement capability.

[SpiderLegs]

The only federal lands I've ever seen anyone resembling law enforcement on in southern Arizona is Sabino Canyon. My take is another act that is all bark and no bite like our curfew in Pima County that was just struck down in court.

[AZClaimjumper]

@DixieFlyer
I pull my Buff Headgear when worn as a neck gainter up over my nose B4 passing others on the trail. I equate non-mask wearers on the trail same as motorcyclists who ride without a helmet. If you value your health, don't take a chance by going anywhere in public without a mask.

[DixieFlyer]

@Jim_H
I also saw in the order where "federal land" is defined as land under executive branch control. I would think that national parks and forests are under congressional control, but I could be wrong on that.