ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Mayor Jerry Demings said the county urges residents to wear face coverings in public, but it will not require people to do so because it would be difficult to enforce such a mandate and because there is a shortage of face masks in the region.
“The reason why we are suggesting (residents) wear protective masks in this instance is because of the healthcare crisis,” Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said.
During the news conference, one African-American journalist who runs a website and blog covering news on Orlando’s west side raised another safety issue related to masks: Racial profiling.
“Let me just say this: Racism existed prior to the pandemic and it will exist after the pandemic,” Deming said.
Demings and Mina recommended anyone who encounters law enforcement and feels they’re being profiled, to comply at that moment, then “call a supervisor, call me and I will figure out exactly what happened,” Mina said.
Mina said there is a process to investigate complaints, and complaints about racial profiling are taken very seriously.
Earlier Monday, Osceola County scaled back its mandate, saying people who do not wear face coverings in public will not be arrested or fined. Click here to read more about that.
During the news conference, one African-American journalist who runs a website and blog covering news on Orlando’s west side raised another safety issue related to masks: Racial profiling.
“Let me just say this: Racism existed prior to the pandemic and it will exist after the pandemic,” Deming said.
Demings and Mina recommended anyone who encounters law enforcement and feels they’re being profiled, to comply at that moment, then “call a supervisor, call me an I will figure out exactly what happened,” Mina said.
Mina said there is a process to investigate complaints, and complaints about racial profiling are taken very seriously.
Earlier Monday, Osceola County scaled back its mandate, saying that people who do not wear face coverings in public will not be arrested or fined. Click here to read more about that.
Read: Osceola County officials say people not wearing face masks will not face fines, jail time
Elsewhere in Central Florida, The Fresh Market said beginning Tuesday, it will require customers to wear face coverings while shopping at its grocery stores. Click here to read more about that.