TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI)- Hoosiers will now have to mask up when they are in public settings. Governor Eric Holcomb announced he will sign an executive order mandating masks to be worn across the state. People in the greater Lafayette area and while many of them agree with the mandate others have mixed feelings about it.

“I think it's perfectly fine I mean we need to stop it, so yeah masks shouldn't be a problem to wear," said Shanell Morgan who just move to Lafayette.

"I think that the governor's mandate on the mask is really ridiculous," added Joshua Morrison.

Since COVID-19 made its way to the united states. Wearing a mask has been a controversial topic. Now that Governor Eric Holcomb has mandated that masks be worn in public even some who don't agree with it understand why.

"I don't like the mask mandate but I understand why they are doing it because they think it will slow the spread of the virus," said Tim Day.

The mandate applies to anyone who is 8 years or older. They must wear a face-covering in public spaces, businesses, and public transit or in outside public spaces where social distancing isn't possible. Exceptions will be made for medical purposes, strenuous physical activity, and eating and drinking.

While some people believe that social distancing is enough.

"Me personally I can't breathe very well in a mask so I try not to wear it I try to keep my social distance,” said Day. “I'd be happy to wear it go inside briefly to go into the grocery store."

"If people would follow the 6-foot rule that is federally mandated then that would enough in itself," said Morrison.

Others feel this mandate should have been in place sooner.

"I think we should have done this month ago,” said Ty Jones. “We are seeing the continuation of the first wave now and I think if we would have done something more stringent months ago we wouldn't be in the mess we are in right now."

As for people who are against masks, some say it's something people will get used to.

"A lot of people think it's such an infringement on their rights and stuff but we have to wear seatbelts and went through all that and got used to it,” said John Wise. “We will get used to this and then maybe this virus will go away and this will be the end of it."
The mask mandate will go in to effect on Monday, July 27th. Governor Holcomb is expected to sign the executive order sometime tonight or tomorrow.