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Many on board with governor's mask mandate set to begin Monday

As the threat of coronavirus continues to linger, most people say they're taking that threat seriously.

CARMEL, Ind. — Downtown Carmel wasn't as busy as it normally is for a sunny Sunday afternoon.

As the threat of coronavirus continues to linger, most people say they're taking that threat seriously, especially with Indiana's statewide mask mandate beginning Monday.

"Wearing a mask isn't super fun but it's a lot better than to have everything shut down and staying quarantined," Brooke Henderson said. 

Many people outdoors weren't wearing masks.

Under the governor's order, masks are required in outdoor public spaces when you cannot social distance from people who aren't in your household.

Stefano Batista said he likes the mandate but also said wearing a mask around close friends comes down to trust.

"If your friends are people you know and you know that they wear masks outside and in public places, I think it's a little bit safer," Batista said.

Batista wasn't the only one who felt that way. 

"Before we decided to get together, we've all been really strict on our own personal social distancing and keeping ourselves accountable for not being around other people," Madison Shipley said.

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Governor Eric Holcomb said the reason for the mandate is based on three things. 

Holcomb wants to get children back in school and keep businesses open.

There's been an increase in the COVID-19 positivity rate and an increase in the number of people hospitalized with the virus. 

Holcomb said he understands there will be pushback on the mandate, but the goal is to slow the spread of the virus and keep others safe.

Some declined to comment, saying they didn't have any thoughts about the mandate. 

"I don't think she wants to hear our opinion," said one man as he walked into a restaurant with friends. 

I did want to hear his opinion, since masks will be required to enter public places like restaurants for example, just not when you're dining at your table. 

In the end, many agree — wearing a mask is important. 

"I think if we can all collectively wear masks together and then prevent things from being shut down, then that would be optimal," Henderson said. 

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