[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!

[Gulfcoast]

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.

[Brownmoose13]

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.

[graciegirl]

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!

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.

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by Brownmoose13

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.

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.

[stanley]

Originally Posted by Gulfcoast

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.

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

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Advogado

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.

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

[Brownmoose13]

Originally Posted by Advogado

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.

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

[Taltarzac725]

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

[patfla06]

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

[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.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by patfla06

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

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.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by patfla06

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

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.

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by Brownmoose13

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

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.

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

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.

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.