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Elorza asks residents to socially shame those who don't wear masks in public


Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza encouraged residents to socially shame those who don't wear masks in public. (WJAR)
Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza encouraged residents to socially shame those who don't wear masks in public. (WJAR)
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With masks soon to be mandatory, even outside in a public space, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza is encouraging people to speak up if they see others going against safety protocols.

“If you’re out there and you see someone not abiding by the rules, you should socially shame them so they do fall in line,” Mayor Elorza said Tuesday morning while speaking with NBC 10’s Gene Valicenti on WPRO radio.

Elorza said there aren't enough police to monitor if people are masked up, and requesting residents speak up and be "part of the solution"

“We all have our way that we can either nudge them or push them to make sure that they’re being responsible as well,” Elorza continued.

We took the mayor's suggestion of “social shaming” to the people of Providence.

"I don't really think that I would just call out somebody and invoke a wrath,” one woman told NBC 10.

"I'm not sure about that,” another walker with a mask said. “I'm not sure I'd talk to someone without a mask on."

Another man told us he would just keep his distance

"It's really none of my business, what someone else does,” he said.

But Providence resident Victor Arroyo saw nothing wrong with the suggestion.

"Good enforcement,” he told NBC 10. “Good enforcement, I agree."

Arroyo is a dental assistant. He carries around extra gloves and masks, and he says he has no problem asking people to wear a mask or cloth covering, and asking groups of people to “break it up.”

Elorza did say this morning that it doesn't have to be confrontational, but he's depending on everyone to use common sense and play a part in helping, especially as the state reopens in phases.

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