Projections show what would happen if South Carolina required masks. It’s dramatic.
South Carolina would see a dramatic drop in its daily COVID-19 cases if the state required masks in public places, according to the latest forecasts.
University of Washington researchers recently updated their models to show what would happen to the number of cases and deaths in South Carolina if masks are required. The forecasts are used by federal officials and included on the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s website.
The forecasts come as some South Carolina cities — Columbia, Charleston, North Myrtle Beach — enacted ordinances requiring masks in stores. The Myrtle Beach City Council is set to discuss a possible mask law during a Thursday meeting.
Gov. Henry McMaster has resisted calls for a statewide mask requirement.
South Carolina saw 1,741 new coronavirus cases Tuesday and has seen at least 1,000 new daily cases several times in the past month.
Forecasters say if say 95 percent of people wear masks in public places, the state’s daily count would drop to 175 new cases by Aug. 1. Under current mask and social distancing behaviors, the daily count is expected to hover around 720 new cases on Aug. 1.
The total number of deaths since the pandemic started is also expected to level off by Aug. 1 if 95 percent of people wear a mask in public, according to forecasters.
Under current behaviors, South Carolina is expected to have 1,368 coronavirus deaths by Oct. 1. With the mask requirement, the forecast is for around 1,047 deaths.
North Myrtle Beach enacts first law
On Tuesday, North Myrtle Beach became the first Horry County city to require people to wear a mask. The city now requires people to wear a mask in all retail establishments, nail salons, barbershops, gyms and tattoo parlors.
“There is a responsibility for all of us to look out for the health and safety or our community,” Mayor Marilyn Hatley said at a City Council meeting. “Wearing a mask is a simple thing. It’s easy to wear them into the stores.”
The Myrtle Beach City Council is set to vote on a similar requirement during its meeting Thursday. Myrtle Beach’s proposal would require masks in all retail stores, restaurants and lodging accommodations.
Masks would not be required on the beach or outdoor settings so long as there is at least six-feet between people.
This story was originally published July 1, 2020 at 3:03 PM.
