Florida sheriff orders deputies not to wear masks, bans civilians in masks from office

https://news.yahoo.com/florida-sheriff-orders-deputies-not-171423458.html

 

David K. Li and Ben Kesslen
,NBC News•August 12, 2020

A Florida sheriff barred deputies from wearing facial coverings in most work settings, authorities said Wednesday, even as the state continues to struggle with record-breaking coronavirus numbers.

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods insisted there's no conclusive evidence that wearing masks curbs the spread of the virus — despite explicit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines saying just that.

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The policy applies to all 900 department employees, and Woods said his decision is final.

"This is no longer a debate nor is it up for discussion," he wrote.

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Sheriff Woods' directive carves out a handful of settings where masks would be required, such as at hospitals, nursing homes, courts, schools, jails or a COVID-19 "address alert from dispatch."

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