Baltimore's Dem mayor keeps mask mandates in his city — GOP governor calls out his hypocrisy

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott (D) announced Monday that despite last week's CDC guidance stating vaccinated individuals can ditch masks pretty much everywhere, his city will be an exception.

The city is keeping mandates in place indoors and at outdoor venues. But Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) told reporters he was surprised by Scott's actions since he saw the mayor in public without a mask twice just last week.

What are the details?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared last week that fully vaccinated Americans can return to life without masks both outdoors and indoors with a few exceptions like medical facilities, businesses that require them, or on airliners. But some Democratic politicians are not following the science in accordance with CDC guidance, opting to keep their mask mandates in place.

On Monday, Mayor Scott and Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa held a news conference to inform residents that the city's mask mandates would remain in place until further notice, WBAL-TV reported.

Scott said that the mandate would stay until 65% of adults have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The city is currently is at 42%.

"In order for us to get to that 65% quicker, folks need to get vaccinated," Scott reiterated before coaxing residents. "So if you want that mask mandate to go away, get vaccinated."

When asked by WBFF-TV about Scott's decision, Gov. Hogan shrugged and said, "Just doesn't make any sense to me, but you know I think the mayor might have that authority to do that."

Then the governor said of Scott, "You know, I saw him at the Preakness and at an event on Thursday night — both indoors — neither time with a mask. So, if he's not going to do it, then he shouldn't tell other people to do it."

Hogan lifted Maryland's statewide mask mandate on Saturday in light of the CDC's guidance.