"Wednesday’s COVID-19 briefing frequently sounded like Governor Jim Justice was holding a point-counterpoint debate with himself. Justice again said he opposes issuing a face mask mandate across West Virginia, he isn’t convinced masks “help in a significant way”, but he applauded the 53 of the state's 55 county school systems that have implemented mask requirements on their own. The governor again urged West Virginians to get vaccinated, “This disease has become a disease of the unvaccinated”, but said he remains adamantly opposed to vaccine mandates, including those ordered by President Joe Biden.

“Jim Justice thinks it’s wrong, and he will oppose it in every way,” the governor said, referring to Biden's plan to require all businesses with 100 or more employees to ensure workers are either fully vaccinated or tested at least weekly for the coronavirus.

Justice warned the unvaccinated that they have a “really good chance” of contracting the virus. But he said he respects those who refuse to be vaccinated.

“We’re absolutely going to stand and be respectful of your freedoms,” he said."

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/covid-19-briefing-justice-talks-both-sides-of-pandemic-issues/article_26c5b1c6-2cc4-5e85-925d-4f33fdb294b6.html