News Story: Biden’s executive order on masks embraced to slow the spread of COVID-19: ‘I want my children to be able to hug their grandparents again’

As the COVID-19 pandemic has killed more than 425,000 Americans, President Joe Biden has issued mask mandates with limited reach — asking folks to commit to wearing masks for at least 100 days to slow the spread of the virus.

The orders now require masks in places under federal jurisdiction — namely airports, ships, buses between cities, trains, federal courthouses and federal lands. Health departments in Lake and Porter counties have required masks in stores and public buildings since the summer.

Would masks be required, for example, if hiking outdoors at the Indiana Dunes? They are not sure yet, as the U.S. Department of Interior would set those rules, spokesman Bruce Rowe said.

The Post-Tribune spoke with several people to learn how they viewed Biden’s request to wear masks for 100 days.