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Pinellas commissioners consider next steps on mask mandate
Pinellas County’s ordinance requiring face coverings and social distancing in public places could be up for review next month.
The face mask requirement, approved in June, has been a flash point during the Covid-19 pandemic. Backers, including top public health officials in Pinellas County, say it has been part of successful efforts to control the virus in the county. Opponents say the mask mandate it is ineffective and violates their constitutional rights. Some of the opponents are part of an organized group called Pinellas County Watch, who regularly comment during the online county commission meetings.
Late Thursday, the Board of County Commissioners agreed to consider the latest data and expert recommendations at their next meeting on Sept. 17, before deciding if they will schedule the public hearing that would be required to repeal the mask mandate ordinance.
For now, county administrative and public health leaders remain cautious about the pandemic.
As of Thursday, there was a cumulative total of 20,655 confirmed Covid-19 cases in Pinellas County, an increase of 67 from Wednesday. Four more deaths related to Covid-19 were reported Thursday, bringing the total number of deaths in the county to 697 since reporting began in March.
There have been fewer new cases on a daily basis in recent weeks, but Barry Burton, county administrator, said case numbers also were low prior to the Memorial Day and July 4th holidays and then hit record-breaking levels.
“We are seeing the trends go down, but we also know that not only do we have 70,000 children and teachers going back to school, we’re also seeing our universities open up,” Burton said. “We know we need to watch this over the next two to three weeks to be able to see the trends and what is occurring on the ground.”
Overall, there has been an improvement, said Dr. Ulyee Choe, director of the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County, but he also has concerns.
“One thing I’ve noticed over the past seven days is our seven-day rolling average for percent positivity was as low as 2.6. It has plateaued and ticked up slightly. It is 3.1 percent today,” Choe said. “It could be just a blip and it could go down again and I hope that’s the case, but if it continues to increase that can be concerning.”
There’s still a lot that isn’t known about the virus, said Dr. Angus Jameson, medical director for Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services. He said he would be reluctant to say it’s time to move back from the mask mandate.
“The preponderance of the data, studies, expert opinions out there still supports that masks are a valuable tool in slowing and helping to prevent the spread of this virus,” Jameson said. “I wish it was over too. But for me, if the choice is between putting on the mask and saving a life, I know what my choice is.”
Commissioner Ken Welch said the county has made progress in controlling Covid-19 and should be careful about undoing the actions that put the county in a good position.
Commissioner Dave Eggers, who is vice chairman of the board, said he would like to see the state’s phased-in recovery plan advance before the county makes changes.
“I think we’re in pretty good shape with our numbers. I’d like to see that Phase 2 go to Phase 3, and then I think we ought to seriously consider rescinding the mask order,” Eggers said. “If the numbers are going up and out of control like they were before, I’m all for putting the mask mandate as part of the tools to fight this back in place.”
Board members also called for greater emphasis on preventative measures such as good nutrition, exercise and managing chronic health conditions to fight Covid-19.
The county mask ordinance is allowed under a state of local emergency. Commissioners extended the state of local emergency to Sept. 18. That action also allows the county to access federal funds to deal with the pandemic.
embury
September 26, 2020at3:22 pm
masks are ineffective to what they are proclaimed to be. we need oudoors excercise and good food not suffocating on c02. people crying for mask mandates live in FEAR. which is also bad for immune. if you are compromised do what is necescsry for your health stop projecting onto your neighbors. healthy people need fresh air, herd immunity, and freedom!
Kathy Wilson
September 14, 2020at5:17 pm
Keep the mask mandate, please! Lack of leadership is the reason why the U.S. has done so much worse than other countries – 4% of the world’s population but 25% of the deaths from COVID-19. We depend on our local governments to follow the advice of public health experts in epidemiology and infectious diseases.
john
September 14, 2020at1:44 pm
This is not the black plague. It never was. The death rate of 3% is incorrect. Its more likely 00.3% There is no way to determine the case rate. Most are asymptomatic.A false narrative has been created knowingly and unknowingly.The panic has become the virus. The lockdowns only created economic devastation and prevented immunity. All it did was kick the can down the road.But fear that is being fanned by the media for political gain also. We have the data. Why are we not listening? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hStrML7vk5k
Judy
September 14, 2020at7:14 am
Removing mask ordinance is crazy idea. Need to strengthen it. Did you not hear audio tapes from Woodward’s interviews. We are the worst country in the world for handling this. We have the best doctors, healthcare but we certainly get a failing grade with our numbers. Fall comes to Florida, Flu comes to Florida. We need to get control of this until there is a good vaccination. Keep the masks.
Hannah
September 13, 2020at12:28 am
My children and I are tired of this ill founded “political” threat! My kids are brick and mortar students In Pinellas County. Mildred Helms has ZERO cases of covid! They are also on the national registry as one of the cleanest schools in the country!
Mary Lou Nelson
September 12, 2020at10:37 pm
I believe we must maintain the mask and social distancing mandates. If everyone in the USA , not just this county, complied with these mandates and good health practices we could lower the transmission of the virus and keep it low until a safe and effective vaccine is developed and administered to the level to insure immunity. We must rely on our public health experts in epidemiology and infectious diseases to protect all members of our community. Thank you..
S. Rose Smith-Hayes
September 12, 2020at9:44 pm
Please continue to protect us even though some reject. Please maintain the Mask and Social Distancing Mandates
Eileen S
September 12, 2020at5:59 pm
The mask mandate is one of several tools keeping our numbers low and making it safer for everyone. It would be a huge mistake to remove the mask mandate. Do not cave to the minority who are not professionals in infectious disease transmission.
Lynne
September 12, 2020at4:58 pm
I cannot think of a reason you would lift the mandate! We need to be safer not ending up on a respirator or dead!
Austin S Igleheart
September 12, 2020at3:27 pm
Changing the ordinance now would be beyond dumb!
Maria
September 12, 2020at6:46 am
Keep the mask mandate!!! This reconsideration is in part reaction to quiet the very vocal and incessant complaining of anti-maskers. If you want the county to keep the mask mandate, MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD at the county meetings!!!
Carlos
September 12, 2020at1:40 am
Hundreds of Floridians died this week from Coronavirus. Removing the mask ordinance would be one of the most foolish things these people have ever done.
Debra Wodnick
September 11, 2020at4:19 pm
With the numbers stabilizing removing the mask mandate would be foolish. Removing masks would show an increase in the virus. You need to simply look at the large gatherings without masks being worn and the increased numbers of virus to prove the point. We need to simply be patient and wait for a vaccine that has passed all phases of testing to be administered before masks are discarded. Until then the mandates should stay in place and be enforced.
Camilla Sitaro
September 11, 2020at4:17 pm
Please, please keep the mask mandate in effect. My husband and I are in our mid 60’s, he works in the therapeutic industry and is contact with many people. We are vulnerable.
Cheryl Hurst
September 11, 2020at3:58 pm
It troubles me that removing the mask mandate is even up for discussion. Being where others and myself are properly masked is the only measure that makes me feel safe. Until citizens are vaccinated, masks must stay mandatory and enforced. Mayors, Council members, and Commissioners need to remember the people squawking do not represent the majority and elected officials need to act for the betterment of all their constituents.
Pat Burke
September 11, 2020at3:54 pm
There are 3 of us that like to say we agree with everything Richard Johnson said. Keep us save, do not change the ordinance. Thank you and good luck.
Richard Johnson
September 11, 2020at12:06 pm
You were late to the party before. Do not change the mask ordinance until a vaccine is effective. We are about to go into the second wave for God’s sake leave it alone!!