Medical professionals urge Manatee County leaders to enact a COVID-19 mask ordinance
More than 100 medical professionals are urging Manatee County leaders to implement a mask ordinance designed to keep residents safe from COVID-19.
The Manatee County Medical Society sent a letter to the Board of County Commissioners Friday afternoon, explaining how face coverings can be effective in limiting the spread of the coronavirus. Since the outbreak began, more than 6,700 people have tested positive for the virus in Manatee.
“At a population level, masks are undeniably useful at reducing cases of COVID-19 in our community. Mask usage is most effective when all persons wear them,” the group wrote in a letter to county officials. “Persons who choose to not wear masks endanger others by risking asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic spread of the virus.”
Commissioners previously declined to enact a mask ordinance before beginning their summer recess. Wearing a mask is also the official recommendation from Dr. Jennifer Bencie, who oversees the Department of Health in Manatee County.
Several local municipalities have implemented their own ordinances related to face coverings. The city of Bradenton, the city of Holmes Beach and the town of Longboat Key have all voted to approve rules that either recommend or require a mask in public.
The Manatee County Medical Society did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.
A group of protesters plans to demonstrate outside the Bradenton Area Convention Center on Wednesday morning as commissioners meet for the first time since the end of June.
As part of Wednesday’s Land Use Meeting, the board will discuss the COVID-19 pandemic with county staff.
Linda Crepeau, a Bradenton resident and retired nurse, is putting the protest together and hoping the county uses that meeting to implement some sort of mask mandate.
“Many, many, many Manatee County residents aren’t wearing masks,” Crepeau said in an interview with the Bradenton Herald. “Masks save lives and I don’t want to die.”
“All I know is Manatee County has voted it down, and that just is not acceptable with the surge of the virus in this state. We have to wear masks,” she added.
As the percentage of positive cases continues to trend upwards across the state and in the county, the medical society says it’s time for a countywide mandate.
“With the surge in positive cases in Manatee County and the bed space in our hospitals nearing capacity, we urge you to be courageous and implement a mask mandate,” the Manatee County Medical Society said in its letter.
Protesters are expected to gather outside the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto, at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
