A letter from Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves says that at “the beginning of October 2020 the statewide mask requirements will be abolished.”
Stand up for the facts!
Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.
I would like to contribute
Fake mask letter from Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves spreads on social media
If Your Time is short
- This letter is fake.
- An executive order from the governor requires all residents to wear masks in schools, businesses, indoor public spaces, and outdoor public spaces where physical distancing isn’t possible. Unless it is extended, it will expire on Sept. 30.
Some Facebook users were recently celebrating an image of an "official notice" from Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves officially ending the state’s face mask mandate — but it’s fake.
"This is a formal letter to all of the Residents and Businesses in Mississippi, the beginning of October 2020 the statewide mask requirements will be abolished," the letter says. "Meaning that it will be no longer required to wear them in the state of Mississippi, NO BUSINESS can refuse your entry with out a mask on. All businesses are hereby ordered to take down all facemasks must be worn on or in they establishments. (Signs) This executive order has been Signed and Sealed this 17th Day of September in the Year of 2020."
This post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
That’s because, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the notice from the governor is fake.
"A ‘letter’ claiming to be from the governor’s office is circulating on social media," the agency said in a tweet. "The letter is FAKE. Find all executive orders posted on the Secretary of State’s website. And any major changes will be addressed in a press conference and an executive order."
Featured Fact-check
On Aug. 4, the governor signed an executive order effective Aug. 5 requiring all residents to wear face coverings in schools, businesses, indoor public spaces, and outdoor public spaces where physical distancing isn’t possible.
The order was set to expire on Aug. 17, but the governor extended it until Sept. 30.
Certainly, the state could decide not to extend the mask requirement and residents will be free to not wear masks on Oct. 1. But the governor has made no such announcement, and this letter, as the emergency management agency pointed out, is fake.
We rate this post False.
Our Sources
Facebook post, Sept. 26, 2020
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency tweet, Sept. 27, 2020
Tate Reeves executive order, signed Aug. 4, 2020
Mississippi State Department of Health, COVID-19 guidance and prevention for individuals and the community, Sept. 14, 2020
Browse the Truth-O-Meter
More by Ciara O'Rourke
Fake mask letter from Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves spreads on social media
Support independent fact-checking.
Become a member!
In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts.