Orange County, Florida Mayor Asks Businesses to Require Masks Indoors Again

Shannen Ace

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Orange County, Florida Mayor Asks Businesses to Require Masks Indoors Again

Jerry Demings, Mayor of Orange County, Florida, is asking businesses to require masks once again indoors and in crowded spaces regardless of vaccination status.

The Orange County Health Department has reported a rise in COVID-19 cases recently. In the past three weeks, Orange County’s 14-day rolling positivity rate has increased from 4.28% to 11.2%, the highest rate since January. Yesterday, the positivity rate was above 16%. Mask guidelines were initially rolled back when the positivity rate was below 5%.

Vaccination rates have slowed as well. Currently, 61.2% of eligible Orange County residents have been vaccinated. Florida accounts for approximately 20% of the U.S.A.’s COVID-19 cases, though the state only makes up 6.5% of the country’s population.

Currently, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort ask that guests who have not been vaccinated continue to wear masks, but do not check vaccination status. Masks are optional for vaccinated guests.

Orange County can no longer mandate COVID-19 restrictions due to legislation by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

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10 thoughts on “Orange County, Florida Mayor Asks Businesses to Require Masks Indoors Again”

  1. Just my opinion, the current mask policy is how it should be. CDC says that vaccinated people don’t need to wear masks.

    If Covid is spreading, it’s likely because people who are not vaccinated are violating current policy. It’s not right to punish vaccinated individuals regardless. That’s not the right answer.

    Personally, I respect Mr. Demings, but this is going to create a campaign against him when he’s up for re-election. There’s a better way, I believe.

  2. Currently, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort ask that guests who have not been vaccinated continue to wear masks” – Just returned from a 4 day trip and can confirm that maybe 1 in 1,000 people wore a mask except where it’s required on transportation. My daughter and I were in a massive minority wearing our masks. Disney feels absolutely unsafe right now with the rising delta variant.

  3. The key here is that Orange County, FL can no longer mandate COVID-19 restrictions due to legislation by Governor DeSantis. And let’s hope it stays this way, for several reasons.

    First of all, things evolve quickly with COVID, so by the time any new mandates were to be rolled out, the arbitrary metrics selected by officials will most likely change.

    Secondly, folks that are vaccinated did their part. Getting set free from ridiculous mask mandates and social distancing requirements are WHY most people got the vaccine. Why punish the vaccinated? The cases we’re seeing now are among the unvaccinated, so that is a risk they take by not opting for the jab. Don’t punish the majority.

    Finally, haven’t we learned anything over the past 16 or so months about government interference in business and the long term effects? The more restrictions put in place, the more businesses will likely have suppressed profitability, especially places like WDW and Universal, where restrictions simply kill their business. Many people have moved out their trips around the ridiculous mask mandates and social distancing requirements….why take steps back now? Not sustainable for business recovery. Government has NO place in this regards.

    We all want to move forward, not back. In my opinion, DeSantis made a good move to implement the legislation, as he knows how critical Disney and Universal are to Florida’s economy. And for those who hate him just because he’s a Republican, just look at the nursing home COVID death scandals in NY & NJ with the Democrat Governors, and then come talk!

    • I think Disney will say… “No Thanks.” This is just a “recommendation” as Mayors are unable to mandate masks.

  4. I hope they don’t go back to making people wear masks outdoors. It’s not so bad wearing indoors.

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