Gastonia hosts 2nd mask giveaway after reporting 312% increase in virus cases

Gastonia is hosting another free drive-thru mask giveaway Thursday in hopes of slowing down the spread of the coronavirus after reporting a significant increase in cases.

The city hosted its first event earlier this month, giving away about 1,500 masks in two hours.

“Our first event was a big success and those who need a mask will come to this second event as well,” Mayor Walker E. Reid said. “We want to help keep our communities healthy.”

Health officials said wearing masks is not mandatory, but it is needed now more than ever.

According to Gov. Roy Cooper, masks and social distancing are proven ways to slow the spread of the virus. He said they are also something everybody can do to pitch in and they don’t hurt the economy.

According to the governor, leaders are looking into a statewide requirement for mask, but said they must first analyze the data and consider age range, disabilities, and type of employment in the language of any law put into effect.

“You just can’t snap your finger and say, ‘hey, it’s a rule, everybody do it,’” Cooper said. “It’s gotta be something that’s well-thought through and something that will be effective with the least intrusion that we can have on people.”

At a mobile testing site in Gastonia Thursday morning, there was a line of people waiting to get tested. Health officials were also handing out free masks to people in their cars.

The push for face masks and testing comes after the city reported a 312% increase in positive cases in the first two weeks of June.

Channel 9 went to Franklin Square, one of the busiest shopping centers in Gastonia, and found people going in and out of stores with and without masks. It was almost 50/50.

Shopper Nikea Morgan said she would wear a mask, but they are uncomfortable.

“Usually collects like pollen dust all that stuff and particles get inside those masks and they irritate your face,” she said.

That was the most common complaint we heard.

Some said telling people to wear a mask is nothing short of government control. City councilwoman Donyel Barber does not agree. She said she worries the city could become a COVID-19 hot spot.

>> Have questions about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the Carolinas? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak -- CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

Officials told Channel 9 that when some restrictions were lifted many people thought the threat of the virus was over.

Instead, the percentage of positive cases doubled and leaders said it’s not from increased testing, but because people let their guards down and refuse to wear masks in public.

Studies show that wearing face coverings can significantly reduce the transmission of COVID-19, especially from people who have the virus but do not know it.

City officials stress that until there is a cure the best defense is changing human behavior. Acting the way people did before the pandemic will only expose more people to the virus.

The mask giveaway is scheduled from 5:30 p.m.- 7 p.m. at the Gastonia Farmers Market on Long Avenue.

Officials said they are giving out one mask per person while supplies last. If any are leftover, they will be donated to local nonprofits to hand out.

The masks were manufactured by Parkdale Mills in Gastonia.

>> We’ll bring you LIVE updates on Channel 9 Eyewitness News. Get extended coverage on the free WSOC Now app on Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV.

How effective are face-coverings during a pandemic How effective are face-coverings during a pandemic

© 2020 Cox Media Group