MAKING FACE MASK WEARING IN IN-DOOR PLACES MANDATORY IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

Published July 20, 2020

The Indian River County Democratic Executive Committee passed a resolution on Monday supporting a mandatory face mask wearing in inside places throughout Indian River County.

 

RESOLUTION:  MAKING FACE MASK WEARING IN IN-DOOR PLACES MANDATORY IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

WHEREAS, Florida has the highest incidence and absolute number of Covid-19 cases in the United States and is considered Ground Zero;

 

WHEREAS, Florida took more than three months to reach 100,000 coronavirus cases but then took just two weeks to jump from 100,000 to 200,000 and as of July 15, had over 300,000 cases;

 

WHEREAS,  almost 5,000 persons have died of the disease in Florida as of July 19, 2020;

 

WHEREAS, the 1400 cases in Indian River County continue to climb at an alarming pace with an infection rate of 8 %;

 

WHEREAS, health experts from the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization say the infection rate should be 5% or less for opening up a community;

 

WHEREAS, hospitalizations and ICU beds occupied are also increasing in a dramatic fashion prompting Dr. Greg Rosencrance, President of Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital to tell County Commissioners that the hospital may not be able to keep up with treating Covid patients by as early as the week of July 19th;

 

WHEREAS, the IRC Administrator received 214 emails in favor of a face mask mandate and 32 against;

 

WHEREAS, the Commissioners’ emails were 122 in favor of a facemask mandate and 37 against;

 

WHEREAS, only 20 speakers voiced negative opinions at the County Commission Meeting on whether masks should be mandated;

 

WHEREAS, the County Commissioners voted 3-2 against a face mask mandate over the recommendation of the County Administrator and the County Public Health Director;

 

WHEREAS, major retailers operating in Indian River County, including Walmart, Publix, Target, CVS and Best Buy, are requiring the wearing of face masks in their stores;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Democrats of Indian River proclaim our support for a face mask mandate in all indoor places in Indian River County to “insure the public tranquility” and “protect the general welfare.”

 

Signed this 20th Day of July, 2020

Adriana A. de Kanter

Chair, Indian River County

Democratic Executive Committee