What are Other Florida Counties Doing on Masks?

See for yourself in this chart, below, that was sent to all commissioners by staff......

Medical Professionals are Begging us to Mandate Masks Part II

From a Local Medical Clinic Employee:

"Mr. Bergosh:   Sadly, I have watched you over the last month on TV rudely speaking to a physician in a meeting regarding support to follow CDC guidelines which support wearing a mask by all people. Last night, you sarcastically said that wearing masks in down town Pensacola was not being enforced or working.   I applaud the majors[SIC] actions to enforce and guide Escambia citizens in the right direction but the city can not do it alone it needs to be countywide and statewide.  When you encourage people "to  shop at Winn Dixie where they don't require masks" because they have a choice you are allowing more asymptomatic people to infect others.  We are very disappointed as health care providers in the leadership that you are providing regarding the support to not wear a mask.  Unfortunately, wearing a mask is not an option or a right when it can bring harm to another individual!  Perhaps you should take a tour at all the area hospitals and see how many patients are currently in the hospital.  I encourage you to  talk and listen to the staff who are very tired, stressed, and becoming ill themselves. As a social worker I can not even find transportation for my dialysis patients because nobody wants to transport a COVID patient to dialysis because of fear of catching the virus and inability to clean their vehicles appropriately.   I'm asking you to be part of the solution not the problem.  It's bad enough that we have a governor who has let Florida's COVID spread like wildfire.  As I watch our numbers in Escambia county climb every day I feel compelled to reach out to you to put politics aside and do the right thing to protect our county.  Postcards are nice but leadership is better."   

Medical Professionals are Begging Us to Mandate Masks, Part I

From a doctor this week:

"Dear Commissioner Bergosh,

   I am a practicing Pulmonologist and Critical Care physician and resident of Escambia County for 27 years. I have never written to the BCC and hope never again to feel compelled to do so. 

My colleagues and I need your help.

   In the last month, I have taken care of hundreds of seriously ill Covid-19 patients in three local hospitals. Bed space is extremely limited and we are stretched to capacity. This situation is not sustainable. These patients are your neighbors, community members, potential relatives and constituents who are depending on you to exercise the power you were elected to deploy, in order to keep them safe.

   Masks and facial coverings work. A recent study, published just 3 days ago, compared the growth rate of Covid-19 before and after mask mandates in 15 states and the District of Columbia. It found that mask wearing led to a slow-down in transmission in the first 5 days of the mandate. After 3 short weeks, the Covid-19 growth rate slowed by 2%. Another study of 198 countries showed significantly lower death rates as a result of masking.

   Issuing a mask mandate, either by Commission vote or emergency order by the County Administrator, is a simple, harmless, low-tech and remedial step that is wholly within your power. To save lives. I hear the circular argument that such a mandate would be difficult to enforce. Commissioner, you were hired to make difficult decisions, in the interest of public safety. Just as I was hired to make difficult decisions regarding treatment of non-mask wearing patients who end up in our ICUs needing intubation because their lungs have deteriorated from the inflammatory process of this lethal virus.

   Seat belt laws, bicycle helmet laws, texting while driving laws, smoking bans in public places were all difficult implementations. Yet they have reduced hospitalizations and saved human lives. 

Is difficulty of enforcement a legitimate reason not to try? Your "Mask Up" campaign is a good step in the right direction but does not go far enough. It has not resulted, as we hoped, in the reduction of hospitalizations we desperately need. Our county is currently in the "red zone" classification of disease and our area recently reached a 155% increase in Covid-19 cases. Unfortunately there is no end in sight.

   How did a 6" x 4" piece of fabric that filters bacteria and viral pathogen become a debatable topic? If you have ever been a patient, did the sight of a mask on your physician or nurse elicit any response other than reassurance? We have been wearing earloop masks in health care for half a century. Because they work!

   Promotion of public health is arguably the greatest investment a government official can make. You have an opportunity here to help physicians in your community do their job. In the interest of public health, in the spirit of mutual human respect, please work WITH us, not AGAINST us. Physicians in Escambia County need your help. Now.

Thank you for your service."