As COVID cases surge, Miami-Dade changes course and requires masks outside at all times

[Mary Wilson]

BY DOUGLAS HANKS,
JOEY FLECHAS, AND
MARTIN VASSOLO

JULY 01, 2020 06:43 PM ,UPDATED 1 HOUR 14 MINUTES AGO

The worsening spread of coronavirus across Miami-Dade prompted the county mayor Wednesday to mandate masks in all public places, the latest measure designed to reverse a trend that threatens tobring another wave of closure orders for businesses.

Mayor Carlos Gimenez’s planned order came the same day Broward announced a more permissive mask rule in what was described as a regional effort to reverse COVID-19 spikes that are hitting South Florida as part of a national resurgence of the virus. Miami Beach on Wednesday reimposed a curfew that had lasted from March until June, when beaches reopened after months of emergency COVID closures.

Gimenez faced criticism for not ordering a countywide mask decree sooner. Miami and other cities announced their mask requirements last week as COVID cases surged, but Gimenez maintained existing county rules were adequate.

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article243931932.html

 

[Mary Wilson]

‘Freedom, not fear’: Anti-mask protest held in Seminole County

Updated: 6:46 PM EDT Jul 1, 2020

SANFORD, Fla. —
People protesting mask orders aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 gathered on Wednesday in Sanford.

Around 80 people packed into Magnolia Square in Sanford's downtown to protest.

“It's time we show that we the people control the country and not the government,” protester Brittany Walker said.

The group said it's not necessarily opposed to masks, as much as they don't want to be told they should wear them.

https://www.wesh.com/article/anti-mask-protest-seminole-county/33030840#