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WEATHER ALERT

MASK MANDATE

Congresswoman: ‘Florida is ground zero for UK variant’

variant,” could lead to a “rapid rise” in COVID-19 cases and become the dominant strain in the United States by March. On Wednesday, health officials with the University of Florida spoke about the variant cases in Florida. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said she wants Gov. “So far one in nine Americans have been vaccinated and we’re on track to have half the nation vaccinated by the end of this spring,” Wasserman Schultz said. AdWasserman Schultz said Florida is ground zero for the U.K. variant and said there has been a lack of transparency by DeSantis.

President Biden signs ‘100 days mask challenge,’ mandating masks in federal buildings

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In one of his first acts as President, Joe Biden signed an executive order, requiring masks on federal property. RELATED: Read the full mandate hereThe President’ can’t force cities and states to impose mask mandates, but can control what happens on federal property. President Biden signed his first executive order, called the “100 days masking challenge.” It directs federal agencies to comply with C-D-C guidelines on mask-wearing and physical distancing and it applies to federal buildings, federal lands. When it comes to military bases, the executive order would be a major change. In our region, the local areas that are not under a mask mandate, nearly everywhere except Jacksonville, are most likely to notice changes.

Mask mandate gaining bipartisan support in Florida

The newest wave of infections is reigniting calls for a statewide mask mandate in Florida and the idea is now garnering bipartisan support. State Rep. Mike Caruso, R-Delray Beach, has joined with Democrats who have been calling for a mandate since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Ron DeSantis to issue a statewide mask mandate back in June. Tampa’s “Choose Your Mask” campaign is pushing a flier that implies the choice between wearing a face mask or ventilator. Rep. Caruso has said he intends to push his fellow Republicans to enact a statewide mask mandate in the 2021 session, but a legislative mask mandate would have to survive the governor’s veto pen.

Fernandina Beach extends mask mandate through Dec. 6

The Fernandina Beach City Commission on Wednesday voted to extend its mask mandate through Dec. 6. That means everyone over the age of 6 must continue wearing a face mask or face covering while in public indoor spaces, including employees and customers at businesses within city limits. There are, however, exceptions for certain cases such as people dining at a restaurant or a patient visiting the dentist. The order does not apply to first responders and other public safety personnel. In September, the Nassau County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to halt its own countywide mask mandate, except within county buildings.

Mayor extends Jacksonville mask mandate for 30 days

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville’s mask mandate due to expire Tuesday has been extended through Thanksgiving, according to city officials. It must be renewed every 30 days by Mayor Lenny Curry or it will expire. I’m just going to back away ... and give you my 6 feet," Scott told him. Jacksonville Dr. Sunil Joshi said that with flu season here, this would have been the worst time to end the mask mandate. He said for those with “mask fatigue” -- wearing a mask could help ensure good hospital treatment for other emergencies.

Fernandina Beach extends its mask mandate

The Fernandina Beach City Commission voted Tuesday to extend its mask mandate another month, even as Nassau County officials have lifted a similar mandate. That means everyone over the age of 6 must continue wearing a face mask or face covering while in public indoor spaces, including employees and customers at businesses within city limits. RELATED: Nassau County commissioners vote to lift mask mandateThere are, however, exceptions for certain cases such as people dining at a restaurant or a patient visiting the dentist. The city’s extension comes two weeks after the Nassau County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to halt its own countywide mask mandate, except within county buildings. Notably, the board left the door open to bringing back the mask mandate in the event that COVID-19 cases spike.

Florida representative announces lawsuit over Jacksonville mask mandate

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Anthony Sabatini, a Republican member of the Florida Legislature, announced Monday morning that he has filed a lawsuit against the City of Jacksonville over the recently implemented mask mandate. Sabatini on Twitter said the lawsuit was filed on behalf of a small business owner for “unlawfully” mandating through proclimation that anyone in a public space must wear a face mask. He has similar lawsuits in St. Johns County, Hillsborough County and Orange County. Jacksonville has become a focus for the face mask debate as officials prepare to host the Republican National Convention in August, an event expected to attract thousands of people. The nonpartisan group has been raising money on GoFundMe so it can file a lawsuit against Duval County to nullify Mayor Lenny Curry’s mask mandate.

Councilman who battled COVID-19 says mask mandate ‘a good first step’

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Less than 48 hours into Jacksonville’s mask mandate, City Council President Tommy Hazouri convened an emergency City Council meeting to ask questions of Mayor Lenny Curry and other Jacksonville leaders. The mayor, who was noticeably absent during a Monday news briefing announcing Executive Proclamation 2020-005, addressed City Council from where he is spending scheduled vacation time with his family. Newby said the ordinance is “a good first step.”As the ordinance stands now, masks are required indoors when a person cannot social distance. In restaurants, customers are required to wear a mask into the restaurant unless seated at a table to eat. Residents weren’t given any more direction on compliance with the mandate other than city leaders asking residents to “do the right thing.”

Nassau County commissioners approve mask mandate

After consulting with the director of the Nassau County Health Department, commissioners reviewed the mask requirement of Martin County but postponed a vote on the issue, saying they needed more time to make a decision. County Manager Mike Mullin questioned how, without a mandatory mask mandate, businesses can keep their employees and customers safe from people from the public who come in not wearing masks. Earlier this week, a St. Johns County commissioner added a discussion of a mask mandate to their special meeting on Tuesday. Last Friday, the city of St. Augustine passed a mask mandate for inside buildings open to the public where people cannot socially distance. As of late, Nassau County has increased its measures to enforce coronavirus precautions.

St. Johns County to discuss mask mandate this morning

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. St. Johns County could be the next in Northeast Florida to require masks due to the spread of the coronavirus. Neighboring Duval County put a mask mandate in effect Monday evening, following a string of record, or near-record days of new coronavirus cases. St. Johns County is also struggling to keep its number of cases down. According to state date, St Johns has a positivity rate of 10-percent. The mandate is expected to be brought up by Commissioner Henry Dean.

Nation’s oldest city becomes first in Northeast Florida to require masks

In response to the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in Florida and in St. Johns County, City Manager John Regan prepared the resolution and requested the emergency City Commission meeting Friday morning. READ: Resolution by St. Augustine city manager and city attorneyRegan told the commission that several businesses have been forced to close because of the coronavirus and have asked the city to require masks and that more than 80% of 336 emails the city received supported the face-covering requirement. Matt Stevens, general manager of the St. Augustine Distillery, said every member of his staff wears a mask and they have handed them out to visitors all along. If you’re older or for sick people -- it’s more important for sick people,” said Cheyenne, who was visiting St. Augustine from Franklin, Georgia. Read Lauren Verno’s Trust Index story to learn what’s real and what’s not about the benefits of wearing face masks.