Reeves also added 13 counties to his executive orders for masks being worn in public and limiting social gatherings. This brings the total to 54 out of the state’s 82. Reeves stated, “We know what works.” “We know that wearing a mask works… Some people believe that if you put three words on a piece paper, statewide mandate for masks — that will solve all problems… But I don’t believe it would have the same effect as if you added counties. Last week Reeves said that he was not going to give in to the pressure of “so-called experts” who are calling for a mandatory statewide mandate for masks. LouAnn Woodward, director of the University of Mississippi Medical Center (the state’s largest hospital and only academic health center), was one of those calling for such an order. Woodward also sent a joint letter to the Mississippi State Medical Association and the Mississippi chapters of the American Academy of Pediatrics & Academy of Family Physicians requesting a statewide order for a mask. MSMA sent a second urgent letter requesting a larger mandate after Reeves had rejected the request. MSMA president Dr. Mark Horne stated that “leaders who fail to lead often result in poor performance by those trying to follow.” The article of faith is the anti-mask, the anti-personal distancing and anti-anything that slows the spread of the disease. Faith is not dependent on fact… “To counter the devastating effects COVID-19, it is imperative that we act immediately and, in our best interest of all Mississippians,” the letter continued. Reeves lifted a statewide mandate for masks, which he had issued Aug. 4. He also relaxed restrictions on social gatherings. The number of cases has increased since then. Mississippi’s cases dropped by 54% during the mandate. Reeves stated repeatedly that he wants to see as many people as possible wearing masks, but he differs from medical professionals on how to do this. READ MORE: Gov. Tate Reeves is refusing to impose a statewide mask requirement despite warnings by health officials and alarming COVID-19 trends. Reeves said Tuesday that it was “fundamentally incorrect” to state that it is surpassing previous COVID-19 records. This statement by the governor is false. The rolling average daily case count — 1,410 as of Tuesday — has exceeded summer peaks. Single-day cases reached an all-time high Nov. 21 at 1,972, while total hospitalizations have also hit single-day records. On Tuesday, the governor referred to the skyrocketing number of cases across the country, saying that “we’re rising less quickly than other states”. According to data from The COVID Tracking project, only 11 states are growing faster than Mississippi. Although the daily cases in Mississippi aren’t as high as those of other states, the growth rate of Mississippi’s cases over the past two weeks has been faster than most others. Reeves also stated that he does not want to “force people to take the heavy hand of government” when advising them on how to deal with the pandemic. Reeves has been criticised by both those who support the statewide mask and any other orders, as well as those who oppose any government mandates, such as the county by-county approach. Reeves’ criteria to add counties to the mask mandate include those with over 200 new cases, 200 cases per 100,00 residents, or 500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Since last week, Mississippi has reached both of these marks. On Monday and Tuesday, the state set new records in terms of the number people who were hospitalized with COVID-19. Reeves’ Tuesday press conference was attended by Thomas Dobbs (State Health Officer), who stated earlier that the state’s hospital system was stressed at a press conference held by the health department. Dobbs stated that 12 of the state’s major hospitals have no ICU beds. Dobbs stated that patients cannot be transferred to higher levels of care due to the ICU bed shortage. Although some of the state’s most important medical centers have struggled to find ICU space, this trend is causing the ICU beds to be reduced at lower-level and regional hospitals. Mid-level hospitals are seeing ICU crowding and the state’s “one way” trauma system, where patients should only be able to access higher levels of care, is at risk. Although COVID-19 ICU use is not at its peak in July, overall COVID-19 hospitalizations have reached their peak single-day records and are nearing the peak average level. Hospitalizations are increasing much faster than they were before the summer spikes. The average number of hospitalizations was at its lowest level since the health department began tracking them on Oct. 3. It took seven weeks for the state to increase by 85% from its lowest point to November peak single-day hospitalizations. This is close to summer overall levels. To get from April’s low levels to the July peak, the same average hospitalizations growth took 12 weeks. University of Mississippi Medical Center currently has the only Jackson hospital with ICU beds. Their COVID-19 units are also growing rapidly. In the past week, the number of coronavirus-infected ICU patients has increased by 57%. Quitman and Jefferson were added to Reeves’ mask-wearing mandate Tuesday. Alcorn, Attala Bolivar, Chickasaw and Choctaw. Jones, Lafayette, Lawrence. Lincoln. Lowndes. Neshoba. Panola. Perry. Prentiss. Stone. Tippah. Tishomingo. Union. Hinds. Madison. Pontotoc. Tate. Winston. Itawamba. Benton, Carroll and DeSoto were already subject to the mandate. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to us today as we celebrate our Spring Member Drive.