Dr. Polly J. Price, Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Law, Professor of Global Health, and Associated Faculty in the History Department, was recently quoted in the NBC News article, “Connecticut puts some teeth in mask mandate, will start issuing $100 fines.” The article discusses an executive order by the Connecticut governor to fine residents who aren’t wearing a mask. Read an excerpt with Price’s comments below along with the full piece.

Polly Price, a professor of law and public health at Emory University in Atlanta, said fines could be effective for some people “on the same theory that speeding tickets discourage speeding and traffic fines encourage seat belt usage and other traffic safety issues.”

“So, it may be that just the possibility of a fine may nudge more people to comply than would otherwise,” she said.

But Price said she was dubious about whether handing out fines was “a good use of police time.” She said what might be more effective is adapting the “no shoes, no shirt, no service” concept currently in place for many stores and other indoor venues to include masks.