Manatee reverses course on requiring COVID-19 masks. Commission will vote next week
The Manatee County Commission appeared to reverse course on requiring masks in public spaces by voting 4-3 Wednesday afternoon to consider adopting a mask mandate.
After hearing an update from Public Safety Director Jake Saur, commissioners voted to have the County Attorney’s Office put together a resolution that would require masks to be worn at indoor businesses throughout the county.
“Everything about personal decisions makes sense, but we need to deal in reality,” said Commissioner Betsy Benac. “I think we need to take leadership.”
Commissioners Priscilla Whisenant Trace, Vanessa Baugh and Stephen Jonsson voted against the proposal. Voting in favor were commissioners Reggie Bellamy, Misty Servia, Carol Whitmore and Benac.
In the time since the Board of County Commissioners last met on June 24, 4,680 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Manatee County and 22 people have died, Saur said Wednesday.
At the prior meeting, commissioners declined to approve a mask mandate, but a surge in local cases and limited intensive care unit availability forced commissioners to reconsider.
“Last month, if you can imagine, we had a fire in a shed, and now the whole house is ablaze,” said Servia, who also advocated for a mask mandate in June.
In a special meeting on Monday, the board will vote on a resolution meant to hold over until the county has time to advertise and vote on an ordinance that would give the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office the power to enforce the mandate.
The County Attorney’s Office plans to base the resolution and ordinance on Leon County’s ordinance, which has been upheld by a judge in court, according to Assistant County Attorney Bill Clague.
That ordinance requires masks to be worn inside of indoor businesses and for businesses to post signs stating that masks are required. Exceptions are allowed for children, those with medical conditions and public safety personnel.
During public comment, anti-mask residents said they took issue with a sweeping ordinance that would apply to those who aren’t sick. Speakers said they didn’t think it was fair for the government to make new rules for everyone when fewer than 2 percent of residents have tested positive.
“At some point, we have to make our own decisions,” said Janet Mixon, owner of Mixon Fruit Farms. “These things make me sick. I start getting the worst headache.”
“This is a solution looking for a problem. Businesses are already making their own rules. I may disagree, but they have the right to do that. I can take my business elsewhere,” said James Satcher, a candidate running for the board’s District 1 seat.
Masks opponents found support in Baugh and Jonsson, who have held a firm stance against government measures related to COVID-19. Both commissioners also voted against the county’s curfew during the statewide shutdown order in May.
“When you start looking at a private business and a private citizen, you’re overstepping, in my opinion,” Baugh said. “I think we need to remember that we as citizens have rights in this country. The resolution you want right now, we don’t even know if it’s enforceable.”
Sheriff Rick Wells has previously said that his deputies will not enforce a mask mandate.
Protesters demand mask order
Before Wednesday’s meeting, a group of nurses and other local residents demanded that Manatee County officials implement a mask mandate.
About 12 protesters rallied outside of the Bradenton Area Convention Center, arguing that a mask ordinance would help keep residents safe. As they rallied outside the building, they held signs that read “Masks save lives” and “Follow the science.”
“Everywhere they’ve done this, there’s a significant decline in the number of positive cases,” said Sherry West, a registered nurse and epidemiologist. “We have to get a hold of it.”
That inaction is costing residents their lives, according to protesters who spoke with the Bradenton Herald.
“They are not accepting scientific data,” said Linda Crepeau, a retired nurse who helped organize the demonstration. “I am so concerned and I don’t feel safe, and that’s basically my concern.”
At Wednesday’s meeting, Benac said she had changed their mind.
“I am erring on the side of public safety, if I’m erring at all,” Benac said. “I don’t want to adopt a requirement, but guess what. Business is already leading the way.”
“The CDC says it’s proven,” she added. “I’m believing the science.”
In previous discussions, commissioners cited an issue with enforcement and constitutional rights as reasons for declining to approve a mask mandate. Protesters said they don’t believe those issues should stand in the way of public safety during a global pandemic.
“I just don’t buy that argument,” said MaryAnn Jensen, who worked as a nurse for 54 years. “We say no shoes, no shirt, no service all the time, and these rules would only be temporary.”
“You have to adapt to progress. It’s part of human culture to adapt to changes,” JoAnne Klement added. “You can’t smoke everywhere like it’s 1950. It’s just another thing where it’s like get with the times, guys.”
Wednesday’s protest comes after another group of medical professionals asked the county to adopt a mask ordinance, as well. On Friday afternoon, the Manatee County Medical Society sent a letter on behalf of more than 100 doctors and physicians that explained how a mask mandate could slow the spread of the virus.
“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 group said in its letter.
Commissioner Whitmore, who still works as a nurse, also supported Wednesday’s protesters.
“You guys just don’t understand how important this is to help our medical community,” Whitmore told her fellow commissioners.
Local municipalities, including the city of Bradenton, the city of Holmes Beach and the town of Longboat Key, have already adopted mask ordinances that encourage the use of masks or face coverings.
The special meeting to consider the resolution will be held at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, July 27.
This story was originally published July 22, 2020 at 10:42 AM.
