TAMPA -- Opponents of COVID-19 related mask rules celebrated Governor DeSantis' overriding of local COVID-19 restrictions and scorned county commissioners at Wednesday's meeting.
Speaker Diana Klein asked the commission to formally rescind the mask mandate, even though DeSantis' order has superseded it. She also asked the county DOH director to direct the school board to remove mask rules. Klein accused commissioners of encouraging bullying and "virtue signaling" against people who don't want to wear masks.
Klein rejected the argument that the governor is overreaching and overruling home rule. "If any of you think DeSantis is acting as a tyrant... look at yourselves," she said. "Now we can finally get to a path of people living freely."
Commissioners encouraged people to continue following Centers for Disease Control guidelines. Commissioner Harry Cohen said "we're depending on people" to make their own choices. "Only you know if you have been vaccinated or exposed... businesses have a choice to decide what protocols are appropriate. I just hope we can send a message to the community... think about it... take responsibility and use good judgment."
The county extended its state of emergency but has no powers under it.
Photo: Getty Images