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State encourages use of face coverings to curb spread of COVID-19
Florida says people should wear masks to curb the spread of the coronavirus but won’t require them to do so.
As the number of coronavirus cases continues its dramatic June increase, the Florida Department of Public Health is once again urging people to wear masks.
The plea to wear masks to help curb the spread of coronavirus is only a request. There is no maskwearing mandate, and Gov. Ron DeSantis has said no statewide order will be forthcoming.
“If you can’t social distance, it’s recommended to wear a facial covering,” DeSantis said Saturday. “We’ve just got to trust people that give ’em the opportunity to do the good things, make good decisions. I think that that tends to work better than to mandate this, mandate that.”
The state reported 3,494 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, the fourth consecutive day with at least 3,000 positive test results. Florida’s total cases stood at 97,291 on Sunday.
Widespread anecdotal accounts on social media and images accompanying news accounts show previous pleas haven’t been effective, with many people congregating in groups not wearing masks or mask-less individuals walking into dry cleaners and other establishments to do business.
Still, the Department of Public Health tried again after DeSantis said he was asking the state surgeon general to update and reissue its recommendations.
“All individuals in Florida should wear masks in any setting where social distancing is not possible,” the agency said in a “public health advisory.”
The advisory also said people should avoid crowds larger than 50 and in smaller groups wear masks and practice social distancing. Local governments in some parts of the state are cracking down on businesses not following guidelines and DeSantis said the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation would enforce what’s in the guidelines at restaurants and other establishments.
As the Health Department repeated its message of persuasion, it acknowledged its advice isn’t new. “This is a reinforcement of the previously issued advisory as well as direction that has been provided in the task force report for a Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery,” the Health Department wrote in a statement issued Saturday.
On June 3, the agency told the public, “As Florida implements Phase 1 of reopening, it’s important to wear masks and practice social distancing in public.”
On April 21, the agency issued this statement on Twitter: “Your mask protects them. Their mask protects you. Wearing a mask correctly can prevent the spread of #COVID19 to others. Follow
@CDCgov’s guidance below for the ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ of wearing face coverings.”
On Saturday, the agency issued the same statement on Twitter, along with the same “do’s” and “don’ts” illustration.
Masks are required by Broward and Miami-Dade county rules, but not in Palm Beach County. Some states, such as California, have statewide mandates.
On Friday, the Florida Medical Association recommended that local government officials require mask-wearing. “The science is clear. Asymptomatic infected individuals can release infectious aerosol particles while breathing and speaking. Not wearing a mask or face covering increases exposure, whereas universal masking greatly reduces the spread of viral particles,” the association’s president, Dr. Ronald Giffler, said in a statement.
Also last week, three Democratic members of Congress — Ted Deutch,
Lois Frankel and Alcee Hastings — who represent most of Palm Beach County, asked the County Commission to impose a countywide mask-wearing mandate. On Saturday, Frankel said in a statement a mandate should be imposed “immediately” for essential businesses such as supermarkets.
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, predicted Sunday masks ultimately would be required in Florida and other states without a mandate.
“I think they’re going to have to. I think it’s a mistake that they’re not doing. Now they’re losing precious time,” he said on the CBS News “Face the Nation” program.
“The masking has become controversial. It shouldn’t be. It’s a simple intervention. It’s a collective action we can all take to help protect our fellow citizens, but also protect ourselves and try to reopen the economy safely,” Gottlieb said.