Let's hope for a Sumter County mask mandate
 

Sumter County is home to the world's largest retirement community. Because of its elderly population, Sumter County is undoubtedly the Florida county that is most vulnerable with respect to the new wave of the COVID-19 virus. Fortunately, most residents are following the advice of the experts and wearing a mask in public places. Unfortunately, however, there are still a number of residents who are not-- either because of ignorance or selfishness or both. These people are endangering not only themselves (which, frankly, doesn't particularly bother me), but they are endangering everybody else as well (which does bother me).

In Sumter County, we recently elected a new slate of County Commissioners-- the EMS team of Estep, Miller, and Search. They have pledged to represent the residents, and not special interests. I personally know all three of the team members, and I did what I could to help them get elected. They are good guys-- smart, honest, intelligent, and experienced.

Here is hoping that the EMS team, who now constitute a majority of the Commissioners, will have both the foresight and the political courage to confront the COVID-19 crisis by following the lead of a number of other Florida counties and enacting an ordinance mandating a mask for anyone in a public building or at a public gathering. Who knows, maybe the other two Commissioners, who are generally described as “the Developer's puppets”, would support such an ordinance. After all, if The Villages becomes a COVID hotspot, it will put a crimp in the Developer's sale of new houses.

Many Florida counties and municipalities have enacted mask mandates. However, any ordinance adopted in Sumter County will have to be carefully drafted in light of Governor DeSantis's inane order suspending “collection of fines and penalties associated with COVID-19 enforced upon individuals.” Note that enforcement against businesses is not suspended; so businesses that don't require masks could be fined. Likewise, the enactment of mandatory-mask ordinances is not banned; so Sumter County could enact a mandate, with the fines and penalties “suspended”. That is, there are ways to attack the problem despite the DeSantis order.

In summary: COVID19 is the most serious problem facing Sumter County today. Let us hope that our Commissioners save lives by enacting an appropriate face-mask ordinance-- before it is too late!

I don't see all of Sumter county going for mandates but I could see how there might be demand for a new contained "social distancing" village with strict rules on masks, 14 day in house quarantines for guests and after residents return from travel, stepped up sanitizing procedures, enhanced store/restaurant/pharmacy delivery options. There seems to be a market for this sort of lifestyle and the developers should take advantage of the demand.

I have no problem with wearing a mask in public places but I am tired of hearing from all the "experts", none of which have any answers. Last time I looked there were about 10 "experts" for every person that has died.
I looked at the numbers for yesterday and there were 12 cases of Covid in Sumter County.

What is the use of rules that cannot be enforced. Most of us are following all of the suggestions to the letter from the health authorities both Nationally and our own physicians. Any death is a disaster but deaths in Sumter County have risen very very slowly in the last two months, and I believe that is due to most residents being very aware of the risks.

12 NEW cases yesterday. The total number is 3,108 and the number of deaths 89. Right now, the number of new cases is surging throughout the country.

Yes a new village,...for "them"... I really like that idea.

I saw on WESH 2 that Advent Hospital in Ocala is using the antibody treatment and the steroid therapy that was so successful for our President. I have not heard what our local hospital is using. We also have an effective vaccine in the very near future.


coronavirus deaths sumter county florida - Bing

So please tell me which expert you listen/refer to and please do not mention Fauci as he has been a pinball on the issue.
As far as 89 deaths (which are too many) that is about 1 death every 3 days, probably behind cancer, heart attacks, etc.
When one of your "experts" has a definitive answer I will then listen as it seems not one of the 217 countries affected has any answers either. Until then I am trying not to live my life in fear or by numbers since it is later than I think

Any steps that people could try to mitigate the affects of the Corona Virus are those in the right direction.

My wish is for people to wear the mask correctly.
Why do people wear it not covering their nose?

How to "enforce" a mask mandate without fines or penalties:

Mandate it for any and all buildings that are open to the public, except AT tables in restaurants, mess halls, cafeterias, and in private stalls of public rest rooms (so you and the guy next to you at the urinal have to have your masks on. If he goes into the stall with the door he can take his mask off).

And if someone objects, they can call the police. If the police come they can order you to either put the mask on, or leave the premises. If you refuse - then you get arrested for trespassing. Remember all public places of business reserve the right to refuse service to anyone - as long as they don't violate civil rights. And you don't have the constitutional right to not wear a mask. It's just not in that document.

I don't know. I feel like telling them "y'know, if you're not going to wear it right, just take it off and be done with it."

Seriously - admit that you don't give a heck about the consideration of other people, and stop pretending. Wearing a mask under your nose is just insulting. I'm less insulted when you don't wear one at all. Then at least I know you're being honest about your inconsideration.

Totally agree, and don't put a single layer bandana over your face and claim you are wearing a mask. A mask needs to be a minimum three layers of tightly woven cloth, fitting tightly across both the nose and mouth. If it doesn't instantly fog your glasses, then it is either not an effective mask, or you are not wearing it properly.

Please go to the World Health Organization website. They have an extensive explanation of the importance of masks in containing the spread of the virus.

Yes, most residents are aware, but enough residents are not wearing masks in public so that we run the risk of a real disaster here as the number of cases surges nationwide.

You are right. There are ways to effectively require masks despite the inane DeSantis order. Note that it doesn't ban mask mandates but does ban fines and penalties for noncompliant individuals (but not for noncompliant businesses). Any ordinance would have to be carefully drafted, but first of all the County Commissioners have to decide to address the crisis.

Last I heard Dr Fauci was part of that organization

ignorance

I hope for a mandate of no mandates.

sorry for deflected typing. Everything should be used to protect our citizenry. I propose signs near all the stores reminding all the patrons that if they mask up properly they are saving the villagers themselves as well as the visiting relatives of the same. Demonstrate that the mask wearer s are our first line of defense save someone's kids in addition to yours
do it for jesus.

Let’s hope not. Totally non enforceable.

We need you to be part of the solution. You need it to. Ask yourself
the answers within
good luck

This is where we all yell
may the force be with us
or
live long and prosper
let's help one another
lets prevail

Mask mandates may help but I propose everyone be forced to wear a Level 1 Haz-mat suit outside of their homes. If we were really serious about this we wouldn’t waste time just wearing masks when there is a far safer alternative available. If anyone disagrees with me they must be ignorant because “the science” proves that a Level 1 Haz-mat suit is the best protection available!

If your so called mask protects you and your social distancing, pray tell, where is all the paranoia coming from? No need to fixate on others. Just stay home and the rest of us will go on with our lives...many of us work and are out there every day and if we harbored the constant fear and paranoia like so many, everything would be shut down...and how would that be working out for you? No stores, no gas stations, no restaurants, no MD offices, no financial institutions, no pharmacy, no nothing...be thankful that we are not of the same mindset as so many here...

That is an absurd statement about Fauci. He is the #1 expert I listen to because he admits that, as he and others have learned more about this novel (i.e, NEW) coronavirus, he has changed his advice. For.a very short period of time, he said masks weren't necessary but for the last seven months he (and every other public health expert) has been completely consistent on the need for mask wearing as the number one preventative measure.

I have researched and found that people with underlying condition are the ones most prone to problems. Masks are a help but mandated everyone to wear one and to fine businesses is a total mistake. The vaccine is being made available in the very near future so these mandatory mask laws and other unconstitutional plans are needless.

So if I'm understanding you right, until the effects of this virus have been determined 100% you will not take any precautions? Good luck to you.

Neither is abortion but godless people say that is a right in the constitution ("it's just not in that document"). There is no way that anyone is going to force me to wear a mask when I'm outdoors (not in a building). You can demand rules for doing business in buildings. No government in the USA has the authority to demand that people wear a mask in public any more than it can force me to buy health insurance. "My body, my choice" as abortion advocates would say.

And, that position does not make me selfish or ignorant. That makes me an American.

Experts..... please......there are a thousand differing opinions on the so called “experts”. Tell me the difference of being 6 feet from a person, or 6 foot and one inch. If your afraid, stay in your house and watch TV. I’d rather go out and live. I’m careful and wear a mask when “required”. If you want to wear one a ll the time, do so. I dont want a police officer to have to arrest somebody over a mask. Let’s worry about crime instead.

Reasons enough to wear a mask:

1100+ Americans died yesterday

159,496 new cases of covid diagnosed yesterday

To bad you felt it necessary to include this sentence, it probably turns others off too: These people are endangering not only themselves (which, frankly, doesn't particularly bother me), but they are endangering everybody else as well (which does bother me).

Never will happen. Why would TV be the only area in the US to self quarantine after travel for residents and guests. Are you serious? There are plenty of other retirement communities so why would TV be “so special”. Wear your mask, social distance, mind your own business and take care of yourself. Dont worry about others, you wont change them

Another thread showing: Common Sense vs. Ignorance.



:ho:

Forcing Mask Wearing
 

I wear the stupid things out of respect for others, but implementing a law to force that is just plain silly. If you see someone without one on in a store, go the other way or perhaps lobby the store to mandate the wearing of masks in order to do business, but please keep the darned government out of our lives. It is like telling people they can't smoke. I don't flock to inhale someone's second hand smoke. I go the other way. That person has the right to smoke if they want to. If they follow me around, I then, as Steve Martin would have done, have the right to fart. I suppose the government should make a law against that as well?

Correction, cases are surging in parts of the country. With that being said, I see the biggest risk in the near future bring people traveling from those hot spots. So the question is how many of you have told family and friends to not visit through the end of the year or beyond. If we're talking about being responsible in an at risk community, that would be the responsible actions to take. Or will the overwhelming need to hug the grandkids prevail?
You have a choice to make.

Boy, Do I like your response.

Thank you...agree 100%

Thank You!
 

Thank you! If anyone here knows of someone who has died alone in a hospital due to the virus then you know the seriousness of protecting yourself and those around you with a mask and social distancing.

Remember that some folks have COPD or are claustrophobic. Have some compassion.