SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — On Tuesday, Seminole County commissioners voted on whether or not they were going to lift the county’s mask mandate by June 7.
More than 50 people signed up to speak at today’s board of county commissioners hearing to give their thoughts on whether the executive order requiring face masks indoors should be rescinded.
Ultimately the county decided to they would revisit the current mandate every 30 days.
Commissioner Amy Lockhart had the motion put on the agenda, saying residents are fatigued from wearing face masks.
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Tuesday’s debate lasted several hours before commissioners voted.
Those people who spoke against face masks said elected officials should not decide whether people should wear a mask because resident can make that decision for themselves.
“They have allowed an unelected official to make decisions for them and I feel as our elected official they should be on record with their vote so we know where they stand,” said Kelly Shilson of Longwood.
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During the meeting, Commissioner Jay Zembower told the crowd while no one likes to wear masks, he believes they work. Zembower said he doesn’t believe an arbitrary date or nebulous goal to remove the mask order should be considered, instead they should revisit this issue every 30 days.
“The facial covering will be removed once 50% of the county’s eligible population has been vaccinated, and there is 30 days in decline of transmission,” Zembower said.
Donna Walsh from the Seminole County Health Department said 35% of the total population in Seminole County has been vaccinated.
“In the last week or so, we have seen that curve go upwards again. We have been through this. We have seen the ebbs and flows as people congregate and gather together,” Walsh said.
Tuesday’s motion to revisit the issue every 30 days and rescind the mandate when 50% of the population has been vaccinated passed with a 3 to 2 vote.
Cox Media Group
