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Public comments on mask requirement begins at Martin County Commission...
One resident speaking against “tyrannical” control of local government:
“Today is masks. Tomorrow is vaccines.”
One resident speaking against “tyrannical” control of local government:
“Today is masks. Tomorrow is vaccines.”
“Do any of you know what this is? Because I don’t think that you do. So let me refresh your memory. This is the United States Constitution.”
“I would not want to wear a mask or face covering that could potentially cause my cancer to return and could cause me death, and especially with this particular virus that has a 99% recovery rate.”
“I’m against mandatory masks. I’m pro-choice.”
Resident later says she’s concerned about how a mask requirement could make it harder to identify and catch people who abduct children. She’s also concerned about future potential requirements of vaccines for COVID-19.
Resident later says she’s concerned about how a mask requirement could make it harder to identify and catch people who abduct children. She’s also concerned about future potential requirements of vaccines for COVID-19.
Resident expresses concerns about young men wearing hoodies, glasses and masks at Walmart in broad daylight the other day.
“There’s no way in a million years I would have been able to identify them if they were to come at me?”
“There’s no way in a million years I would have been able to identify them if they were to come at me?”
“I’m giving you a polite warning. If you do not make a good decision here, there will be no going back. And history shows us, when people like you ignore the petitions of the people, things get really ugly, and they get really ugly, really quick. So, sit on that.”
Kyle Green, owner of Kyle’s G’s on Hutchinson Island:
“I’m not for the government telling me what I can and can’t wear. It reminds me of a day, May 29, 1942, where the Nazis Gestapo made the Jews sew the Star of David onto their jacket and that didn’t really end so well.”
“I’m not for the government telling me what I can and can’t wear. It reminds me of a day, May 29, 1942, where the Nazis Gestapo made the Jews sew the Star of David onto their jacket and that didn’t really end so well.”
For what it’s worth, nearly everyone who has commented so far — almost all against a mask requirement — are white.
While 78% of Martin County is white, non-Hispanic, 82% of coronavirus cases in Martin County are to people of color, with 55% to people who identify as Hispanic.
While 78% of Martin County is white, non-Hispanic, 82% of coronavirus cases in Martin County are to people of color, with 55% to people who identify as Hispanic.
“No matter what you want to believe, this is a very political issue. It is patriots versus communists.”
Martin County staff are reading 250+ emails submitted for public comment.
(County started reading emailed public comments during the coronavirus before figuring out a safe way to use Zoom and as a way to allow people who cannot show up to comment.)
(County started reading emailed public comments during the coronavirus before figuring out a safe way to use Zoom and as a way to allow people who cannot show up to comment.)
While public comment in person was almost entirely against mask requirements, emailed comments are mixed.
A lot of “media” bashing by commenters who say it’s in the best interest of the media/gov/health experts to make COVID-19 into a bigger deal than it is.
A lot of “media” bashing by commenters who say it’s in the best interest of the media/gov/health experts to make COVID-19 into a bigger deal than it is.
Resident advocating for mask requirement (email read into record by Martin County staff):
“If we listen to every naysayer, without proper consideration of the facts, we would all believe the world is still flat.”
“If we listen to every naysayer, without proper consideration of the facts, we would all believe the world is still flat.”
“How about you do something contrary to what you all have been doing for the past few months and listen to the residents of Martin County, who elected you, and not cower in fear of what @TCPalm will write about you in the paper?”
“I’m going to be forced into using Instacart, which costs more money, as punishment because I can’t breath.”
Resident says in emailed comments their breathing issues with a mask from a medical condition — which would be exempt from a mandate — will turn into a financial burden.
Resident says in emailed comments their breathing issues with a mask from a medical condition — which would be exempt from a mandate — will turn into a financial burden.
I’m pretty sure I saw this episode of The Weakest Link...
“And those of you over 70, the real question is, ‘Why do you fear death anyway?’”
“And those of you over 70, the real question is, ‘Why do you fear death anyway?’”
At around 5:30, more than eight hours after Martin County emergency meeting began, public comment is over. Onto the commission discussion of a mask mandate.
Update: Two hours into commissioner debate there’s talk about putting off a vote until next week to vote on a modified ordinance or order. Majority of commissioners are against the enforcement mechanism, which would make a violation a misdemeanor.
VOTE:
A vote on a face mask mandate has failed, 2-3.
Commissioners are against enforcement that could end up in a misdemeanor.
Instead, commission votes, 3-2, to come back Tuesday for a face mask ordinance without any enforcement element in it.
A vote on a face mask mandate has failed, 2-3.
Commissioners are against enforcement that could end up in a misdemeanor.
Instead, commission votes, 3-2, to come back Tuesday for a face mask ordinance without any enforcement element in it.
Oh, by the way, two commissioners just tried to open beaches for July 4th weekend to residents only.
The move failed.
Martin County Sheriff’s Office has told county staff it would be very challenging for them to enforce and would expose deputies to COVID-19.
The move failed.
Martin County Sheriff’s Office has told county staff it would be very challenging for them to enforce and would expose deputies to COVID-19.
Lastly, Martin County Commission may ask @ccmartinhealth to provide data similar to what @MiamiDadeCounty orders area hospitals to provide so that officials and staff can be better informed.
Story for @TCPalm on today’s no-vote on a mask mandate following an 11-hour Martin County Commission meeting. https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/shaping-our-future/2020/07/02/county-commission-met-all-day-thursday-and-into-evening-without-yet-getting-vote/3267665001/
Finally, @MaxChesnes and I analyzed @HealthyFla COVID-19 data for June, where 85% of cases are to people not white, non-Hispanic.
While biz opens, masks are not worn and systemic housing and immigration issues persist, POC are hurt most by policymakers. https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/2020/07/03/coronavirus-black-hispanic-disproportionately-affected/5366026002/
While biz opens, masks are not worn and systemic housing and immigration issues persist, POC are hurt most by policymakers. https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/2020/07/03/coronavirus-black-hispanic-disproportionately-affected/5366026002/
