CINCINNATI, Ohio — Masks have only been mandatory statewide for a few days but some of the counties hit the hardest by the coronavirus are going on their third week requiring face coverings.

What You Need To Know

  • Ohio's mask mandate hasn't been around long but harder hit counties have been coping for weeks

  • Hamilton County public health expects significant results in 30 days

  • The Cincinnati-area has seen a downward trend in new COVID cases since the local mask mandate went into effect

Hamilton County is one of them. The mandate went into effect in early July, just a few weeks after Elise Delahanty reopened her Over the Rhine shop, the Candle Lab.

"We were kind of on the back end of opening because we as a store wanted to have everything in place to be really comfortable (for) both our staff and our guests that come here,” she said.

So far, she said the masks haven't changed the experience for the customers who have been making their way back.

“I think people are just so happy to be out of the house and doing things again that they’re cooperating in any way,” she said.

The important factor to Delahanty is the fact that they can make it back in the store for an in-person experience.

Jessica Roy, another employee, explained the Candle Lab isn't just about the products; it's also about the experience of picking out the oils yourself, watching the candles get made and smelling that finished product.

“All of your senses are really utilized here and so it can be done online—it’s definitely not as fun," she said.

That's why the business is hoping their compliance with mask orders and their sanitation regime can keep their doors open.

“If they happen to not have a mask but want to come in, we’ll provide them with a mask," Delahanty said.

Hamilton County Public Health has been explaining the need for masks for a few months but most urgently over the past few weeks.

"We do know, empirically, now the best way to prevent transmission combined with the other tactics that we have,” said Mike Samet, the public information officer for Hamilton County Public Health.

He said it's hard to say how long this will last, but if the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's estimates are correct, Samet said masks should start showing a dramatic impact on the spread of COVID-19 in about 30 days.

Samet said that would take widespread compliance and patience.

“No one wants to wait for anything—it’s summertime, I’m right there with you," he said. "It’s hot, but again these are the tools we have right now until we can make a bigger dent in COVID-19.”

Hamilton County's mandate went into effect on July 9. In the weeks since, the county's daily case counts have been trending down, though they're still higher than the county saw in early June.

While the state looks for a long-term trend, Delahanty said the Candle Lab is willing to wait it out with masks in her store as long as it means getting back to business.

“If all it took to be open was wearing masks we would," she said. "We’re planning on doing this for the foreseeable future until there’s a vaccine out there. It’s just the responsible thing to do.”