Mahoning health district investigated 111 complaints since mask order
YOUNGSTOWN — Employees at Mahoning County Public Health have been busy, and Gov. Mike DeWine's statewide mask mandate didn't help.
Between July 24 and Aug. 5, the district investigated and closed 111 complaints alleging local businesses aren't following the rules. Multiple businesses received more than one complaint — though officials admit some complaints are hard to validate or are even unfounded.
Here are the businesses that have received the most complaints:
- Rhodes Farm Market, 12216 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Columbiana — 4 complaints
- Quaker City Motor Sports, 10225 W. South Range Road, Salem — 3 complaints
- Walmart, 6001 Mahoning Ave., Austintown — 3 complaints
Below is a list of mask complaints filed to and investigated by Mahoning County Public Health since the statewide mask mandate took effect July 23. Click here to view a full-size version.
Source: Mahoning County Public Health
When it comes to customers not wearing masks, a sanitarian ensures the facility is displaying the proper educational signage and offers masks to customers who don't have one. If the facility is making a good faith effort to encourage mask-wearing, a sanitarian could close the case, writing, "Facility is trying to abide by order to the best of their ability."
According to the narrative of multiple complaints, some businesses enact a policy not to confront customers about wearing a mask. The order does not require businesses to enforce the order, so policies like these comply with the mandate.
Based on the complaints, MCPH comes down harder on employees not complying with the order.
The department received four complaints about Rhodes Farm Market. Complaints alleged employees were not wearing masks.
Owner Wes Lehman submitted exemptions for his employees. For those who wear glasses, breathing while wearing a mask can fog up their glasses and create potentially dangerous situations for employees in the deli using knives or the slicer.
Lehman put up a sign saying employees will bring customers' groceries to their cars if they feel uncomfortable coming inside.
"I understand what the government is facing. They're trying to do the right thing," said Lehman. "But at the same time, there's times where you have to use common sense. I want to be workable. I feel very blessed to have the health department working with me. They seem to be very understanding and workable as well. So, I appreciate that."
The complaints about Quaker City Motor Sports pointed out the lack of social distancing. When the initial complaints were made, spectators were permitted at the facility. In coordination with Mahoning County Public Health, the owner changed the policy regarding spectators and placed X's on the ground to encourage social distancing.
Mahoning Matters reached out Quaker City Motor Sports for comment but did not hear back.
In our review of the hundred of complaints in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, only one has — so far — was deemed legitimate to elevate to local authorities: Walmart in Austintown. MCPH received multiple complaints that employees were not properly wearing masks.
In an inspection conducted Aug. 4, a sanitarian wrote: "Have been to the store twice in the last 3 days for other complaints in regards to employees and improper mask-wearing this specific establishment has been sent to director to be forwarded to law enforcement or prosecutor."
Tracy Styka said the complaint has been referred to the Mahoning County Prosecutor's office. When ask about the status, Prosecutor Paul Gains did not comment.
Health Commissioner Ryan Tekac did not respond to our request for comment. Walmart referred us to their corporate media relations office.
Check out our stories on complaints in Columbiana and Trumbull counties.
This story was originally published August 13, 2020 at 3:52 AM with the headline "Mahoning health district investigated 111 complaints since mask order."