'It is a sign of respect': Chattanooga mayor strongly encourages mask wearing

'It is a sign of respect': Chattanooga mayor strongly encourages mask wearing

That's tonight's top local story chattanooga mayor andy berke: "this is a very difficult and complex problem and we have to do more as a community to combat the problem."

In a facebook live monday, chattanooga mayor andy berke pleads with folks to wear masks in public places.

Chattanooga mayor andy berke: "my mask protects you, your mask protects me.

It is a sign of respect.

It is a sign that we care about ourselves and our community."

In north carolina, the governor issued a statewide order requiring masks, but not all counties say they'll be enforcing it.

After a recent surge of cases in tennessee, the governor extended the state of emergency urging people to wear cloth face coverings.

In nashville, the health department is requiring facial coverings starting monday.

The order provides exceptions to wearing a mask that includes children 12 and under, when your outside 6 feet away from people you don't live with, or your in your car.

Not following the rules, could result in a citation.

In hamilton county including chattanooga, masks are not required.

The hamilton county health department is the entity tasked with reopening the county and city.

They have long urged people to wear masks.

News 12 did reach out to them and asked whether or not they are considering requiring people to wear masks.

They were not able to give a response on monday.

The mayor was asked about requiring masks.

Chattanooga mayor andy berke: "i'll remind everybody that governor lee did an executive order preempted cities.

Preempted means, take away our powers including city mayors across the state to mandate the businesses for reopening, but we're still looking as what if anything we can do to make sure people are wearing maks."

The mayor wants wearing a mask to be normal.

The city has started a mask up c-h-a selfie social media challenge.

Post a picture masked up and