At their meeting yesterday, following a spike in COVID-19 cases in Leon County, the Leon County Commissioners blasted Saturday’s Florida State University football game and discussed the possibility of extending their mask mandate to apply to large outdoor events.
The FSU home opener has drawn intense criticism over video clips of fans in attendance—both students and non-students—who were not wearing masks despite the university’s policy that masks should be worn inside the stadium.
Commissioner Mary Ann Lindley criticized fans who did not wear masks or comply with social distancing recommendations.
“They may be isolated in Florida State University property while inside of Doak Campbell Stadium, but they spill out into our community all the time,” she said. “Our entire community is at risk because of the really thoughtless, selfish behavior on the part of those college kids.”
“I was just horrified because they do spread out,” she continued. “They spill beyond the gates of Doak Campbell Stadium instantly. We see them everywhere.”
The Commissioners discussed the possibility of extending their mask mandate to cover large outdoor events like football games. The mask mandate has been in effect since June, when the Commissioners passed an ordinance that requires face coverings under the roofs of Leon County business establishments.
The original ordinance does not cover private property, including apartments, or outdoor events. County Attorney Chasity O’Steen said the original language of the ordinance was written to avoid legal problems.
“Understand that that ordinance was written the way it was so that it was narrowly tailored so that, from a legal perspective, it would not implicate current constitutional rights, which would trigger stricter scrutiny by the court if it was challenged,” O’Steen said.
Commissioner Kristin Dozier made a motion to bring back an agenda item exploring how to legally enforce the mask mandate as well as the possibility of extending the mandate to cover large outdoor gatherings.
Commissioner Jimbo Jackson, who had COVID-19 in July, expressed support for continuing the mask mandate.
“I would love nothing better than to take away the mask mandate,” he said. “But, because we know we have irresponsibility that was even further demonstrated by this weekend’s behavior, as well as over 400 positive tests last week from our local universities and the open invitation to 70,000 people coming back to town, I’m really more in support than ever that we can possibly save illness or cause people not to get ill, or even better, save lives.”
The Commissioners will revisit the issue at their next meeting on Sept. 29.
County Commissioners Criticize Maskless FSU Fans, Consider Strengthening Mask Mandate Enforcement added by Lexie Pitzen on
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I believe masks help, but it seems like after two weeks we’d see a spike in he people who were at the game. Same for all those people at the Trump rallies. I guess the MSM hasn’t had time to cover it…
Two. Hundred. Thousand. People. Are. DEAD. And you idiots are more concerned about whether or not you can see a SPORTS GAME WITHOUT A BARE MINIMUM OF PROTECTION.
You’re all right – we should not have a mask mandate. We should instead have a mandatory, no-exception, three-month lockdown. You’re out of your house? You go to jail. You resist arrest? You get a firm beating, THEN go to jail. That’s what we should have done nationwide when this started, but instead we had a bunch of brainless dolts babble about how it’s not a big deal, we need the economy running, blah blah blah…sorry, grandma, but my stock’s going down!
The level of selfishness I’m seeing here is DISGUSTING. And what’s funny is that I’m sure a lot of you consider yourself Christian, when you literally would rather have another couple hundred thousand people die than to be MINORLY INCONVENIENCED.
Pathetic. Every last one of you mask-deriding primitives is pathetic.
Contagious diseases have been killing people since the beginning of time and will continue to do so irrespective of how many “firm beatings” internet tough guys like you would like to administer.
If you are frightened, or vulnerable, stay home. I am neither. I stay home, and therefore don’t have the virus, because there isn’t anything to do anymore. I guess that’ll be the case until at least after this election/national referendum.
Dude, it’s widespread now. There isn’t a single measure you can implement in this free society that is going to prevent it from spreading. People are going to have their parking lot parties in the middle of the night, college students gonna student, protestors gonna protest. Just be as careful as you can, and try and keep your self-righteous rage in check. In spite of what you may think, you are not the arbiter of what’s best for the rest of us. And for God’s sake keep your hands off other people.
The mask ragers are ironically the worst at the most effective anti-virus measure which is SOCIAL DISTANCE.
https://youtu.be/sRFtVsL9dzE wonder who bothers to read this far?
Mandates are NOT LAWS despite whatever wording you choose- it is a clear violation of the CONSITUTION AND CIVIL LIBERTIES. They said in the original June meeting that it might be “a couple of months” its the middle September.
It’s unfortunate that people SO WILLINGLY follow whatever they are told.. This is turning into a chapter out of 1984.
Personally, I REFUSE TO WEAR IT! SHOW ME THE LAW!
People have become sheep! Pretty scary how so many Americans comply , reminds me of previous history.
And whoever responses to this comment i am making to to Lori, spare me the “science or I do not care about people speech”. Wear your mask and stay 6 feet away from us not wearing a mask. We do not ask you why you are wearing a mask, stop asking me a free person why I do not wear one!
I had this virus in January when no one knew what is was and no one was wearing masks especially during flu season.
Mandates are NOT LAWS despite whatever wording you choose- it is a clear violation of the CONSITUTION AND CIVIL LIBERTIES. They said in the original June meeting that it might be “a couple of months” its the middle September.
It’s unfortunate that people SO WILLINGLY follow whatever they are told.. Thus is turning into a chapter out of 1984.
Personally, I REFUSE TO WEAR IT! SHOW ME THE LAW!
Ah yes, Mask mandates. Brought to you by the same people who self righteously drive a Prius to keep the Polar Bears from drowning.
This is the pitch, it is always the pitch – hype the horrible outcomes if we don’t “do something.” Then ignore the outcomes, costs, or efficacy of what was done because it still feels like they are doing something positive. Apply it to global warming, head start, welfare, night basketball, etc.
I learned my linking verbs in middle school and all the mask studies use “may, might, can, could” to describe the effect or wearing. There is a dearth of “do, does, did.”
It is a social symbol of cooperation to the naïve and a sign of submission to the aware.
Using a condom is so incredibly simple keeps you from having to kill an animal on it baby but you see how many people on the liberal side do that they would rather kill the baby
Oh snap! “It is a simple thing” isn’t it…
Maybe we should turn this response section into a little laundry list of “simple things” that others (like harry here) owe us to co-exist in this “community.”
The mask police have no idea just how deep something like this could go. I’ll start:
It’s a simple thing to run your own household and not pick my pocket with tax dollars to make up for your shortcomings.
I’m not a big comment section guy and now I remember why. Much like our society, no civility, lots of paranoia and delusion.
I’m asking in all seriousness because I don’t know; does the county have the authority to enforce the ordinance on FSU property? I know LCSO has jurisdiction throughout the county, but does that include the State University property without FSU’s blessing for LCSO or TPD to enforce at the stadium? I also understand that LCSO and TPD work the games, but I believe it is at the behest of FSU. Someone out there has to know the legal aspect of this thought?
Bravo commissioners! Don’t be swayed by the lunatic fringe. The behavior last Saturday – amid a massive local spike – a national hit spot – was reckless and selfish. The fans were flaunting it. Wearing a mask is so incredibly simple – there’s no good reason not to – and it’s our best defense against community spread. People want to talk about their “freedom” – give me a break – wanna talk about freedom? Look at the sacrifices we made coming together as a nation during WW II. That’s freedom. Pass the ordinance – and if they don’t comply at the next home game? No more fans.
“Wearing a mask is so incredibly simple – there’s no good reason not to…”
Wearing a bulletproof vest (in this day and age!) is so incredibly simple–there’s no good reason not to.
Wearing sunscreen is so incredibly simple–there’s no good reason not to.
Wearing “Deepwoods Off” during mosquito season (remember Zika!) is so incredibly simple–there’s no good reason not to.
Wearing clean underwear is so incredibly simple–there’s no good reason not to.
There otta be a laaw!
Everything described benefits you.
The mask benefits others.
Wearing a seatbelt – you.
Not driving while intoxicated – others
Oh, they come in all shapes and sizes, like staying in your lane and not playing with your phone while you’re driving two tons of steel down the road at 70 mph. How’s that for “benefit[ing] others?”
Responsibility cannot be legislated into being. Those of us with common sense knew this from the outset. But that isn’t even the point here, is it?
The point is, I don’t have covid. If you do, I’m sorry to hear it, and if that’s the case you should probably keep wearing your little mask. I would if I were you, but I’m not, am I?
You’re making a false dichotomy.
Wearing a seatbelt also benefits others. If by wearing one, I sustain fewer injuries in a car accident, my family will benefit because I’ll be able to return to work sooner to support them. Likewise, society will benefit because I will put less stress on the healthcare and insurance systems.
Same thing with driving while intoxicated. It also benefits me because I’ll be less likely to kill myself while driving, in addition to being less likely to kill others.
But if it’s all about benefiting as many people as possible, then wearing a condom during intercourse between two unmarried persons has proven health benefits for both the wearer and the other person, as well as benefits to society overall (e.g. no abortions or unwanted children dependent on the state). Why doesn’t the commission mandate that? Having LCSO try to enforce it should go over well with the community.
Wearing a mask to protect against a viral infection, is like wearing a t-shirt to protect against a bullet. Wear one if it makes you feel better about yourself… but don’t expect miracles, and stop pretending it matters.
The way I look at it reckless college students and obstinate out of town football fans are threats to my family’s health.
Be sure to keep your family at home at all times… make them wear masks and stay 6-feet away from each other… and whatever you do, don’t let them share the remote or toilet seat..
Edward I’m working on a butt mask in my secret lab-bor-a-tory to address that toilet seat issue. I am then going to get our elected nannies to require 24/7 butt mask mandates throughout their jurisdiction. I’m gonna be the butt mask king after I bribe…err I mean contribute some big money to our elected nannies!
I will take 7 on a pre-order. Plus a really big one for Vince Long. Send the invoice to the courthouse as they all have ‘discretionary’ funds. Can you deliver them to the County Commission Chambers in time for the big farewell send off for Mary Ann Lindley. We are gonna pay for her party anyway.
I am secretly incorporating some “activated charcoal” from my BBQ grill to deactivate the climate killing effect of our beloved elected nannies flatulance too.
Theres no way I’m not going to be richer than Bezos, Soros, Gates, and Biden combined by 2021. Dont tell anyone about the activated charcoal concept.
I think if you already have your head up your posterior you don’t need a mask. So the commissioners are covered.
Send an order to CNN and MSNBC hosts because they’re going to need it on the night that Trump wins!
Also, to Pelosi, Schiff, Schumer, and Nadler.
Government Overreach by the Overlords of Leon County!!
Did anyone force or hog tied those fans to attend the game? Free will, and where were those commissioners at the protests on Adams Street?
What a joke you all have representing the capital city of Florida!
This mask-less behavior would be okay if the were peacefully protesting.
I’m sure Sweden is laughing their collective heads off at this mask and lockdown silliness. Most of their deaths happened in Nursing Homes, which is what we all expect considering the average age of death from COVID-19 is 78, actually 79 in Florida. Other than that, their economy and general happiness is off the charts compared to the rest of Europe.
Bunch of Wimpy Snowflakes!
I believe masks help, but it seems like after two weeks we’d see a spike in he people who were at the game. Same for all those people at the Trump rallies. I guess the MSM hasn’t had time to cover it…
It’s quite obvious Com. Desloge, Mr Long and Attorney O’Steen during the meeting are in the same room with none of them wearing their Covid masks. Do as I say not as I do.
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”
BUT, why is it ok for Protesters NOT to wear them?, but then again, you are also OK with Protesters destroying innocent Peoples property, as long as they do it in Protest………..
You need to STOP rushing your Agendas through on Knee Jerk Emotions and vet what you’re passing BEFORE you pass it.
You need to STOP cherry picking what you want to be tough on and let the LAW be your guide. You can’t get into trouble if you have the Law on your side.
Didn’t here our County Commissioners criticizing the ‘protesters’.
The City and County and Blueprint are not to be trusted. EVER. I got this on Tuesday from Killearn Homes Assoc. Seems Shamrock North is also in the crosshairs.
Residents,
We are extremely concerned with recent developments from the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency. This Thursday, September 17th is a critical meeting. Please sign up to comment and/or email commissioners. Here is some background:
As you know, KHA worked tirelessly on your behalf to advocate for our neighborhood beginning in 2018 to mitigate any negative impact to Killearn’s property values, traffic, and quality of life from the Welaunee Boulevard/Powerhouse property road system associated with the NE Gateway project through Blueprint.
Over the span of two years, we came to an agreement with City and County Commissioners on an agreement between Killearn and Commissioners.
Both parties agreed to the following conditions to guarantee the future of the Northeast Gateway:
I.Two connections from Welaunee Boulevard, one at Shamrock, one at Roberts.
II.Welaunee Boulevard extension to Shamrock road being a “rural road”.
III.The construction phasing of these two entrances to open concurrently.
KHA worked with Blueprint to hold two public hearings, and the project modification was completed on January 30th, 2020, less than eight months ago. Now, in a stunning move, a proposal is being laid before our City and County Commissioners, asking them to back out of that agreement, and study adding a new Centerville Road connection just north of McLaughlin Road and removing the Welaunee connection to Roberts Road.
This is unacceptable, and your KHA is fighting back. Commissioners must honor their words. We must hold our elected officials accountable for their commitments. Killearn is the largest neighborhood in Tallahassee, and we will not be bullied around at the whims of property owners on Roberts Road who have submitted this proposal (and staff is recommending adoption).
Blueprint must honor their commitment to us. There can be no moving forward on the Northeast Gateway under any other circumstances.
We need you to make your voice heard LOUD AND CLEAR, that Killearn Residents DO NOT SUPPORT OPTION #2 which would support further studying the creation of another entrance from Welaunee on Agenda Item #14 on Thursday’s Blueprint Meeting (September 17th). WHICH IS CONTRARY TO OUR AGREEMENT. We are Agenda Item #14 (see attached)
TELL COMMISSIONERS NOT TO BLOW UP THE DEAL
Below is information for how you can submit your public comment and sign up to speak in OPPOSITION to Option #2.
Written Comments: Please provide written public comment by emailing Comments@BlueprintIA.org until 5 p.m. on September 16, 2020. This will allow ample time for comments to be provided to the IA Board in advance of the meeting. Comments submitted after this time will be accepted and included in the official record of the meeting.
Live Comments Via WebEx: If you wish to provide comments live during the IA Board meeting via WebEx, please register to join at http://www.BlueprintIA.org by 9 p.m. on September 16, 2020, and WebEx meeting access information will be provided to you via email. Speakers are limited to 3 minutes; please address all items of interest within your 3 minutes.
Live Comments Via Phone: If you wish to provide live comments during the IA Board meeting via phone, please call 219-1060 or email Comments@BlueprintIA.org, by 5 p.m. on September 16, 2020. Include your name, the phone number from which you will be calling, your physical address, and the items on which you wish to speak and call in information will be provided to you. Speakers are limited to 3 minutes; please address all items of interest within your 3 minutes.
SIGN UP TO SPEAK AT THE BLUEPRINT MEETING
Below is sample email language for you below. Please email the Commissioners at the following email addresses:
Email:
john.dailey@talgov.com
dianne.williams-cox@talgov.com
jeremy.matlow@talgov.com
elaine.bryant@talgov.com
curtis.richardson@talgov.com
deslogeb@leoncountyfl.gov
MinorR@leoncountyfl.gov
DozierK@leoncountyfl.gov
MaddoxN@leoncountyfl.gov
JacksonJ@leoncountyfl.gov
LindleyM@leoncountyfl.gov
ProctorB@leoncountyfl.gov
The flip flop is truely a slap in the face to one of Tallahassee’s greatest communities along with its mostly Democrat voter base.
What looks like illogical behavior by the above elected officials is explained below.
Every one on the above list saw and adopted the great success of Rocky Hanna’s Vegas based HAA HAA political action corporations, which by the way are totally legal, and large “donations” began to come in from wealthy property owners on Roberts Road.
And now you know “the rest of the story”.
The mask rules stated when inside a local business [such as Publix as an example] or when under an awning outside a business [such as the entry way to Publix outside the sliding doors that is covered by a roof].
The above rules would not apply to an open air football stadium.
What are our elected nannies whining about????????
Wearing a mask to protect against a viral infection, is like wearing a t-shirt to protect against a bullet. Wear one if it makes you feel better about yourself… but don’t expect miracles, and stop pretending it matters.
It’s time for the Governor to come down on these people. LC isn’t their little private fief. What did that pack of carpetbaggers over at CTV used to say? “It’s our community too.” Well some of us in this “community” have had way more than enough!
Every month of this is earning you a year (or more in my case) of ill will.
Masks on people WHO DO NOT HAVE the virus do NOTHING; and no decree of yours, no matter how strong, can force an irresponsible person to make a responsible choice.
G-D- fools!
Folks, understand you are being lied to intentionally. Our Capital District Kommissars are despicable at best and nothing short of real Fascists. This is all about extending COVID-1984 dictates for a wide variety of reasons but we know the primary reason. What we do know now is this virus is highly treatable and highly recoverable (over 99%). The panic should have been long over and everything should have opened up entirely. If masks truly worked (they do not) then we should have opened everything up entirely with zero restrictions other than masks. Also, we know for a fact that if masks did work, they would have banned their use just like HCQ, right?
In every case where mask mandates have been in place since April there have been spikes in Covid-1984 cases. Just look at Leon County and its “spike” in cases since the mask mandate even before the students came back. Shouldn’t the number of cases declined with the mask mandate if they worked? The case counting is also controversial and wildly unreliable. Look at the wild success of Sweden which never implemented mask mandates or lock downs and the sane leadership of their chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell. Even he admits to some early mistakes in handling their nursing care facilities unlike Florida. But overall, they are the rock stars of this Covid-1984 insanity. They followed standard Virology 101 methodologies which have been in place for decades.
And if our dear Kommissars are listening to CDC guidance, what a joke from folks who despise the current administration and the CDC clown director Robert Redfield.
So, Dear Capital District Kommissars, keep on hitting that Covid-1984 panic porn button to keep the fear alive on a scamdemic that has been long over. And keep crying about those wicked irresponsible non-mask wearing students who are not a threat to anyone. Keep lying to us. The devastation you have caused on countless small and minority businesses will not be forgotten.
And finally, to summarize, here is just a small sampling of recent studies on how masks are ineffective. And yes, it includes some studies sponsored or listed by the CDC and WHO themselves, yet those organizations publicly contradict their own publications, I wonder why?
CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal, May 2020:
“Although mechanistic studies support the potential effect of hand hygiene or face masks, evidence from 14 randomized controlled trials of these measures did not support a substantial effect on transmission of laboratory-confirmed influenza.”
WHO: Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19, 5 June 2020:
“Many countries have recommended the use of fabric masks/face coverings for the general public. At the present time, the widespread use of masks by healthy people in the community setting is not yet supported by high quality or direct scientific evidence and there are potential benefits and harms to consider.”
WHO: Advice on the use of masks for children in the community in the context of COVID-19, 21 August 2020:
“Evidence on the benefits and harms of children wearing masks to mitigate transmission of COVID-19 and other coronaviruses is limited.”
CIDRAP Commentary: Masks-for-all for COVID-19 not based on sound data, updated July 16, 2020:
Surgical masks
“In sum, wearing surgical masks in households appears to have very little impact on transmission of respiratory disease. One possible reason may be that masks are not likely worn continuously in households. These data suggest that surgical masks worn by the public will have no or very low impact on disease transmission during a pandemic.
“There is no evidence that surgical masks worn by healthcare workers are effective at limiting the emission of small particles or in preventing contamination of wounds during surgery.
“There is moderate evidence that surgical masks worn by patients in healthcare settings can lower the emission of LARGE particles generated during coughing and LIMITED evidence that small particle emission may also be reduced.”
Face masks to prevent transmission of influenza virus: A systematic review, January 2010:
None of the studies reviewed showed a benefit from wearing a mask, in either healthcare workers or community members in households. See Tables 1 and 2.
VOTE THEM ALL OUT!!!!!!!