County commission will continue to require masks at their meetings

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

At today’s Alachua County Commission Special Meeting, the board discussed what to do about the County’s Emergency Order, given that the governor has suspended all local restrictions and mandates.

Commission Chair Ken Cornell opened the discussion by stating that he wanted to continue to social distance in County Commission meetings, but he’s ready to remove the plexiglass. He added that he supported continuing to allow the public to make comments by phone “at least through the summer break in July.” He also said he supported recommending masks: “I think we can put a sign up at least recommending that and see if the folks, obviously, may or may not take us up on the recommendation.”

Commissioner Mary Alford said she would prefer the public to wear masks, and “I think if we’re going to ask the public to wear masks, I think we should, also.”

Commissioner Anna Prizzia added, “We don’t know who in the community and the audience is vaccinated or unvaccinated, we don’t want to have to put people on the spot. We can’t really ask them that question anyway, it’s private information, so having them masked, I think, continuing to mask is important.” Prizzia said she also liked giving the public the ability to participate in meetings by phone.

Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler said she is “good with the masking” because she didn’t think the air system is adequate.

“I know that we’re going to hear people say that my liberties are going to be limited because you’re making me wear a mask to attend a public meeting. And all of that stuff. So you know, just prepare to hear that.”

Commissioner Chuck Chestnut also said he had “no issue with the mask order in these chambers, so I think it’s appropriate… And I feel that if we’re going to have the public wear masks, we also wear masks, too… I’ve had my shots, but you know, we don’t know, as Commissioner Prizzia said, we don’t know and we can’t ask that question if they’ve had their shots or not, but at least we can protect those citizens that come in here… who might or might not have had the shot so everyone is protected and no one can say they caught it here, they got sick here or something…. The governor’s made his order, but as County facilities we have that right to impose the mask, so I have no issues with it. I think it’s appropriate… but I know that we’re going to hear people say that my liberties are going to be limited because you’re making me wear a mask to attend a public meeting. And all of that stuff. So you know, just prepare to hear that.”

County Attorney Sylvia Torres briefly reviewed the governor’s order and said the county’s emergency order was “immediately suspended.” She added that the local state of emergency can continue for FEMA reimbursement purposes.

Cornell said he agreed with continuing the state of emergency for funding purposes. “But with regards to the mandatory masking, the signage at the businesses, enforcement of those types of things, I think those have been suspended indefinitely.” Torres added that the gathering restriction is also suspended.

Alford asked how the board would enforce the mask requirement, and Cornell said they would just continue the way they’ve been doing it, “which is, we’ll respectfully ask folks to please put on a mask prior to entering the chambers… if there becomes an issue and they get belligerent, then we’ll ask our bailiff to help with that, but I don’t anticipate that being an issue.”