COVID-19 Outbreak Information Updates (Reboot) [over 150.000,000 US cases (est.), 6,422,520 US hospitilizations, 1,148,691 US deaths.]
You're not going to see debs presented wearing masks I don't think. The last mask mandate came down on a Friday when there was a presentation scheduled for that night (first one of the year) - the band was all set up, alcohol delivered, etc., and then they made the call to cancel it on 3 hours notice. The organizers ended up talking to Avegno who basically said if everyone wears a mask the entire time its fine, otherwise the city is going to stop it. So they cancelled it.
I suppose the superkrewe parties will go on because they won't GAF and will ignore it and LaToya made it clear she's not willing to mess with them but most of the traditional balls (which start in about 2 weeks) are in a major squeeze.
I know not a ton of people care about that but the ripple effects are pretty big for hotels/restaurants/bars/caterers/suppliers.
Debutant Balls are different from Mardi Gras Balls and frankly LaToya's constituents would probably love to stick it to groups like the Bachelor's Club where as they can't stick it to d'Etat, Hermes/Rex/Comus without sticking it to Zulu, Muses, Bacchus, Krewe Du Vieux, and Endymion.
Beyond that, the City doesn't really make any where close to as much money off of Debutant Balls as they do off of Mardi Gras Balls. Anyway, even if some of the smaller Krewes cancel balls and I doubt many, if any, would even if the mask mandate is not lifted by then, the parades will go on. And the parades are what bring in the tourist and the big money to our economy which is I think your and my big worry in regard to any effect this would have on Mardi Gras.
I get that the Balls bring money to food/drink vendors, wait staff, and hotels/venues, but I really don't think a mask mandate is going to stop them from going forward given that enforcement will no doubt be very light if present at all. Beyond that, there is a least a couple weeks to go in which the mandate can be ended.
Anyway, if LaToya cancels Mardi Gras or all the Balls get cancelled, I'll buy you a pitch fork and torch to start the revolution. ;)