UPDATED: 04/16/20 6 p.m.
Hillsborough County’s Emergency Policy Group (EPG) never even got to vote on Tampa Mayor Jane Castor’s motion to make wearing a mask in public mandatory.
A Thursday meeting of Hillsborough County’s Emergency Policy Group (EPG) started experiencing “technical difficulties” around 4 p.m. The problem happened as the group—which already voted to cancel a curfew enacted Monday—appeared poised to vote against Castor's motion, which was seconded by Hillsborough County Commissioner Kimberly Overman.
Before the interruption, five of the group’s eight members already said they intended to vote against Castor’s motion.
Shortly before the technical difficulties Commission Chair Les Miller told Castor that she does not have the votes to pass her motion.
"I don't count votes,” Castor said in response. “I just do what's right."
When the meeting came back, Overman withdrew her second of Castor's motion, meaning it was never voted on.
Overman then made another motion to recommend essential services employers ensure employees are wearing face coverings if employees cannot not maintain a six foot social distancing from the public and their co-workers. All other persons would be strongly recommended to wear face masks.
Overman's new motion failed, 6-2, with Overman and Castor being the lone “yes” votes.
So in short, you don’t officially have to wear a face mask, but most medical experts—including the CDC—thinks everyone over the age of two should wear at least a face covering when out in public.
In a statement following the meeting, Castor said she was disappointed by the EPG decision to ignore University of South Florida public health experts who recommended that implementing a face covering order for people visiting high-traffic essential businesses like grocery stores and pharmacies. Castor said the decision leaves essential workers and customers at a greater risk of exposure to Covid-19.
“Face coverings not only reduce the transmission of the virus, but they are a vital first step that will allow us to return to a more normal life and reopen our economy,” Castor wrote.
“Today's vote could lengthen that time that we will need to keep the Safer at Home or in place, hurting small businesses and keeping all of us away from our family and friends.”
The next meeting of the EPG is on Monday, April 20, 1:30 p.m
— Jane Castor (@JaneCastor) April 16, 2020
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This article appears in Apr 16-22, 2020.