MASKS

with multiple generations to remain especially cautious, even potentially wearing masks at home.

There is concern, Pino said, about younger people spreading the virus to older generations in the same household.

“Wash your hands and even wear a mask,” he said.

And he said a series of cases related to businesses at Orlando International Airport has now “died out.” Since March, 132 airport workers had tested positive for the virus and another 128 people who don’t work at the airport came down with the virus after being exposed to those workers.

“We basically have no cases coming out of the airport,” Pino said.

He also said an outbreak at an Orange County assisted living center where 17 residents and five staff members tested positive “performed very well” over the last week.

Pino addressed concerns about theme park workers testing positive for the virus, saying he did not know of any specific cases but had heard anecdotal reports.

“Last week I had no evidence of any cluster at any park that is open,” he said.

But he noted that some other businesses lease space at Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk, so it’s possible the cases weren’t classified in his database under those names.

Pino also announced on Monday the 49th death of an Orange County resident who had tested positive for coronavirus. But Pino said it was unclear if the newest death would ultimately be included in the state’s totals because the person, a 24-year-old man, died in a motorcycle accident and not from the virus itself.

As cases continue to rise in Orange County, Mayor Jerry Demings said it’s unlikely the state will move soon to Phase 3 of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ opening plan. Demings’ economic recovery task force will meet later this week.

Demings said he was pleased with compliance so far with a countywide order mandating masks that took effect on Saturday.

But on Monday, state lawmaker Anthony Sabatini sued Demings’ over the requirement to wear face coverings.

Sabatini, representing Carl Jackson, owner of conservative talk-radio station WDZY 660 AM, called the mandate vague, confusing and an infringement on people’s rights.

“I think Orange County stepped out of line by allowing for the potential arrest of lawabiding citizens who just happen not to be wearing a mask,” said Sabatini, R-Howey-in the-Hills, and a lawyer. “Additionally, I just don’t think anyone should go to jail for not wearing a mask. That’s what this order does. It mandates that people wear a mask.”

But the order does not contain any criminal sanctions or other penalties for violators — at least for now.

Demings said he had not read the lawsuit and customarily does not respond to questions about pending litigation.

“But suffice it to say, I still believe that what we’re doing is a measured approach in this community to respond appropriately to the current state of affairs regarding the COVID-19 virus that is raging among us,” Demings said during a briefing.

Sabatini filed a similar lawsuit against Seminole County on May 10, on behalf of David Leavitt, the owner of a computer repair store in Longwood. That lawsuit challenges the county’s executive order that required business employees and patrons to wear masks when standing closer than 6 feet.

It argues that the government shouldn’t tell people what to wear in a private establishment under the threat of a $500 fine. The county’s mandate also violates an individual’s right to privacy, according to the suit.

On June 4, the Seminole County rescinded that order after DeSantis lifted some of the state’s restrictions on social distancing.

A day earlier, Seminole filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit stating that Leavitt failed to present any evidence how he was negatively impacted by the county’s order. The county also pointed out that government has a duty to protect citizens and often passes laws regarding public safety, such as requiring that vehicle passengers wear seatbelts and motorcyclists wear helmets.

“The requirement to wear a facial covering ... is a minimal inconvenience and its benefit to the public in potentially reducing the spread of COVID-19 outweighs any inconvenience,” according to the county’s motion.

Circuit Judge Melissa Souto had not yet issued a ruling as of Friday.