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People in Johnson County react to first day of executive order to wear face masks

To wear or not wear a face mask is not a question any longer in Indiana.

INDIANAPOLIS — It’s a topic that most people have an opinion about. 

“It’s a pretty inflammatory subject,” said Johnson County resident Derek Pike. 

To wear or not wear a face mask is not a question any longer in Indiana. Monday, Governor Eric Holcomb's mandate went into effect. Indiana residents are required to wear face masks when they’re out in public and not able to socially distance. 

In Johnson County Monday, plenty of people voiced their thoughts. 

“I think it’s better safe than sorry,” said Jeremiah Gillaspy. 

Some people were masked up and some were not. 

“I’m from Wisconsin and we don’t have to wear them walking into every single place,” said Jamie Claas who was on her way back home. “I seriously cannot keep doing this. I can’t. It’s stupid. It’s not helping anything."

Despite CDC guidance and testing showing the contrary, Claas isn’t buying it. 

“I can’t breathe with the thing on. I sweat with the thing on. I’m not comfortable with it on,” she said. 

“It’s kind of burdensome, but again, if it gets us that much quicker, then I’ll endure it,” Derek Pike said of wearing masks. 

RELATED: VERIFY: Putting your face mask questions to the test

RELATED: Indiana mask mandate takes effect without enforcement

Some sheriffs across Indiana, including in Johnson County, have said they won’t enforce the mandate. Johnson County Sheriff Duane Burgess released a statement last week which said in part: 

“The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office will NOT be enforcing the executive order. 

We will continue to enforce the law as guided by the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the state of Indiana and those laws which are put into place by our elected legislators, as we are sworn to do.”

But there are plenty of folks who didn’t need any convincing. 

“I figure, what’s the harm?” said Gillaspy. 

They just want to see the rise in cases in Indiana stop, not to mention all across the country. 

“You don’t have much of a choice or you shouldn’t have. So it’s kind of the best for everybody all the way around,” added Al Trestraif. 

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