Fox19 (Cincinnati): “Kentucky’s Beshear says he will ask Gov. Holcomb personally to not get rid of Indiana’s mask mandate.”

NexstarDC: Pres. Biden calls on governors who have ended mask mandates to reinstate them 

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today echoed President Joe Biden and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear by asking Governor Eric Holcomb to reverse his decision to end the state’s mask mandate and stay true to his word of putting the “facts on the ground” when navigating Indiana out of the COVID-19 pandemic, not politics. Over the last week, Holcomb rightfully received criticism for prematurely rushing the state out of the pandemic just as the American Rescue Plan has provided Indiana the tools it needs to gain control of COVID-19. 

Here’s what both President Biden and Governor Beshear had to say: 

President Joe Biden: “This is not politics. Reinstate the mandate if you let it down, and businesses should require masks as well.”

Governor Beshear: “[Holcomb] is a reasonable person. We have had good conversations. This is one I hope he reconsiders. If I have the opportunity, I’ll certainly ask him personally to reconsider.” 

The Indiana Democratic Party joined effort with the following statement:

“Eric Holcomb has too often made politics a part of the equation with the state’s pandemic response rather than implementing the science, data-based approach he claims to use every week,” said Drew Anderson, spokesman for the Indiana Democratic Party. “With everything Hoosiers have gone through over this past year, why would Holcomb risk derailing all of this progress just to appease folks who don’t believe in COVID-19 to begin with? The Governor will create more problems in the near future, not less, if he doesn’t responsibly lead Indiana out of the pandemic.” 

Since the start of COVID-19, Gov. Holcomb has claimed to use the data and facts to guide Indiana through and out of the pandemic. However, the receipts do not match the rhetoric, and too often, Holcomb adhered to his political party’s demands over common-sense. This very fact is why voters have started to lose trust in the Indiana Republcian Party. As a reminder, here’s just some of the coverage Governor Holcomb earned after announcing he would drop the state’s mask mandate on April 6: 

Associated Press: Indiana to lift mask mandate amid concern: ‘We’re not ready’

IndyStar: “Businesses are waiting to see if local officials will enforce the mandate, but many say they’ll maintain the requirement until the health risk decreases.”

NOTE: Businesses include Whole Foods Market, Walmart, Kroger, Shapiro’s Delicatessen, and Patachou Inc.

WPTA (Fort Wayne): Business, customer contemplate life after statewide mask mandate gets lifted in Indiana

Muncie Star Press: Officials in Delaware County and region unsure about dropping mask mandate quite yet

WCPO (Cincinnati): “[Business owner Michael] Keith said he’ll continue to follow scientists’ advice over politicians’: “We’ll still try to keep six feet apart. We’re doing masks, making sure everybody wears masks when they come in.”

WTHI (Terre Haute): “Many Hoosiers are getting tired of wearing masks. However, local health officials are still encouraging them to do so even when the mask mandate expires on April 6th.”

WEHT (Evansville): “Indiana’s mask mandate is set to be lifted on April 6, but not everyone is resorting to life as we knew it before COVID-19. Some business owners tell Eyewitness News their employees will need to keep wearing masks, keep customers socially distanced, and sanitize highly touched surfaces often.” 

IDS News: Monroe County will keep mask mandate despite statewide COVID-19 restrictions ending

IndyStar: Indianapolis will retain mask mandate despite governor ending its version, mayor says

South Bend Tribune: Elkhart officials quiet on how they’ll respond to Holcomb ending mask order

Kokomo Tribune: Local officials to discuss future of mask mandate, business restrictions

Goshen News: Many Goshen business owners will still require masks, ask for patience

Notre Dame Observer: University to maintain safety protocols as vaccinations increase

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