[DIver0258]

How can individuals blast government officials when we aren't privilaged to the information and other factors in their decisions. There are other concerns for our leaders other than just Covid 19 that weigh into their decisions. As far as a mandatory mask mandate, we have to be responsible for ourselves, wear a mask correctly, social distance, and limit close interaction. Making more laws will not force the masses to act in a compliant manner. Honestly no one is 100% what the solution to the pandemic is. Be a responsible adult and protect yourself and those close to you. Not everyone buys into what is happening because there is so much fake news and yellow journalism abounds.

[Garwood1]

I’ll listen to my Dr not one of the keyboard experts -period

[rlcooper70]

Thank you for the posting. Yes, the actions of leadership are important ... if we had adhered to the science would we have the type of spread we are seeing today? Or is our society's health tied to the actions of the least intelligent? Quite a commentary.

[Miguel 1952]

Originally Posted by Advogado

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!

So if there is a mandate for face mask and social distancing, should there be also a mandate for vaccinating everyone?

[wdst1]

“Near future” means next March/April at the earliest. Do hold your breath.

[cegallup]

"This" is what we are coming to . . .MANDATES.
Like N.Y., N.J., Ca. - masks have become both a religion and a panacea. Admittedly, this is a complex problem. DEMANDING a specific therapy is quite onerous.A

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

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.

[jbrown132]

Originally Posted by banjobob

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.

Where in the constitution does it say you have a right not to wear a mask. It certainly is no in the Bill of Rights. But there is a statement in the preamble to the constitution that states “promote the general Welfare”, which I think the general welfare of the state and country would be for every able citizen to wear a mask and social distance until this pandemic is over. I go crazy listening to people who state it’s unconstitutional when they have probably never read the constitution a day in their lives.

[JanetMM]

When you don’t wear a mask it is like you are playing RUSSIAN ROULETTE. And if you want to play Russian roulette go right ahead. Does not bother me. But when you play LET’S SEE HOW LONG IT TAKES ME TO KILL MYSELF and you keep spinning that gun around the room at different people as you play that is where we need to draw the line. Anyone’s imaginary RIGHTS end when they interfere with the real RIGHTS of LIFE for anyone else. Don’t pull the rest of us into your game of RUSSIAN ROULETTE.

[hardwick2112@yahoo.com]

I have no issue with you wanting to stay inside wearing a mask until Covid-19 has been eradicated. It is a strain of the flu and at some point in everyone's lives we will get it. A lot is still unknown about the vaccine being developed, especially how long it will last. Do you take flu shot every year? It is around 60% effective and there is zero tracing. Thus, take whatever precautions you wish but do not mandate to EVERYONE how they should live their lives. We fought and died to be free and not live in a country like China whose government mandates EVERYTHING and still can't stop the spread of the virus. Live, just don't be stupid.

[Larchap49]

Originally Posted by Advogado

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 want to be safe as much as the next person but I've had quite enough of government telling me how to live my life. If you want to wear a mask then do so, I do. If you want to quarantine yourself away from people then do that too. The CDC has now announced that sanitizing does no good. Seems the rules are constantly changing. The virus isn't going anywhere, you can hide all you want when you come out it will be waiting for you. Quarantining hasn't stopped it anywhere in the world. I choose to take precautions, go out and see my friends and enjoy the retirement I moved here for. I really don't need any government intervention to do that.

[CALiz]

Check Home - Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center and scroll down to the "Tracking" to see the graphs for each US state's COVID19 information.

Be informed and be smart. Take care.

[Hiltongrizz11]

You assume that all experts agree on the benefits of wearing a mask.
They DONT.

You assume that most Americans want the government ordering us around. We DONT.

[Hiltongrizz11]

You assume like another poster here that all experts agree that masks work.

All experts do NOT agree with mask wearing. In fact many have arguments that supports the dangers of mask wearing.

Whatever you believe don't arrogantly believe you are right.

[Travelhunter]

Originally Posted by Scott O

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...

I wear a mask when performing the above
I hope you do also

[Wizie1949]

Thank you so much. I totally agree. I just wish that those who don’t believe in masks realize that it protects others and themselves. Stop being selfish please