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riversedge

(69,722 posts)
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 08:34 AM Aug 2020

'This is no longer a debate': Florida sheriff bans deputies, visitors from wearing masks

Source: Washington Post




August 12, 2020 at 2:32 a.m. CDT

On Tuesday, as Florida set a daily record for covid-19 deaths, Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods prohibited his deputies from wearing masks at work. His order, which also applies to visitors to the sheriff’s office, carves out an exception for officers in some locations, including hospitals, and when dealing with people who are high-risk or suspected of having the novel coronavirus.

In an email to the sheriff’s department obtained by the Ocala Star-Banner, Woods disputed the idea that masks are a consensus approach to battling the pandemic.

“We can debate and argue all day of why and why not. The fact is, the amount of professionals that give the reason why we should, I can find the exact same amount of professionals that say why we shouldn’t,” Woods wrote in the email.
...................

.......................

Woods, whose office didn’t immediately respond to a message from The Washington Post, participated in a phone conference with President Trump and other sheriffs on Tuesday.

The sheriff ended his missive by making it clear that he would brook no dissent.

“This is no longer a debate nor is it up for discussion,” he wrote. “Please keep in mind this entire pandemic is fluid and constantly changing the way things are done. However, my orders will be followed or my actions will be swift to address.” ...................................

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/08/12/masks-florida-ban-billy-woods/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=wp_main



good gawd. this Dangerous sheriff talks to Trump and now puts all in his jurisdiction at risk for the #coronavirus.



?s=20
Marion County, Fla., Sheriff Billy Woods has forbidden his deputies from wearing masks. (Marion County Sheriff's Department /Marion County Sheriff's Department)



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'This is no longer a debate': Florida sheriff bans deputies, visitors from wearing masks (Original Post) riversedge Aug 2020 OP
These people will get you killed BeyondGeography Aug 2020 #1
FloriDUH may have a lot fewer voters in November IronLionZion Aug 2020 #2
what kind of broken educational system coughs up talking hairballs like this "sheriff?" Blues Heron Aug 2020 #3
Looking at his background. PaulRevere08 Aug 2020 #22
Thank you for my first laugh of the day. . "Coughs up talking hair balls". Your question is a niyad Aug 2020 #26
heh Blues Heron Aug 2020 #27
I don't understand these morons. madaboutharry Aug 2020 #4
"Maybe he'll change the rules of debate if he himself needs a ventilator." NurseJackie Aug 2020 #12
What a complete idiot! Dustlawyer Aug 2020 #5
Karma, bub... hlthe2b Aug 2020 #6
You would think the safe, cautious, conservative thing to do thucythucy Aug 2020 #7
Progressives are the real conservatives now. KentuckyWoman Aug 2020 #23
I agree one hundred percent. thucythucy Aug 2020 #33
Don't forget the deficit. greymattermom Aug 2020 #48
I really hope he gets it. I hate that I feel that way, but I do. Squinch Aug 2020 #8
Wait, what happened to free choice? tanyev Aug 2020 #9
I hope we see lawsuits Marthe48 Aug 2020 #38
This is the 1st Civil War where the rebels are killing themselves. gab13by13 Aug 2020 #10
Methinks someone wants to run for higher office ... Laelth Aug 2020 #11
Marion county home of the Villages voteearlyvoteoften Aug 2020 #13
They should rename it Moron County Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Aug 2020 #72
Has anyone challenged his assertion randr Aug 2020 #14
Doubt he can do it, just like the right-wingers... Buckeye_Democrat Aug 2020 #34
He might pull up some Youtube videos and blog posts IronLionZion Aug 2020 #40
It's quite Delphinus Aug 2020 #86
In about six weeks, UpInArms Aug 2020 #15
In a state with a DeSantis for a governor Chainfire Aug 2020 #16
people of his county elected him so they get the pleasure of his policies beachbumbob Aug 2020 #17
Yet another reason that tourists will FLOCK to Florida!! NUT JOBS like this, and DeSantis Bengus81 Aug 2020 #18
I keep repeating this: AirmensMom Aug 2020 #19
I fear for the future of this country precisely because of people like this sheriff. Lonestarblue Aug 2020 #20
Sue the mother stabber. lark Aug 2020 #21
think a nice mask-free delegation of Covid-positive citizens could persuade him otherwise...? bringthePaine Aug 2020 #24
I was about to post something similar. Buckeye_Democrat Aug 2020 #28
Four star sheriff thinks he is God? pwb Aug 2020 #25
I am willing to bet that Sheriff Billy Woods watches Fox News Botany Aug 2020 #29
So no "freedom" is allowed for those who want to wear a mask? n/t Tom Rinaldo Aug 2020 #30
He's correct that it's no longer a debate. He's incorrect about everything else. lagomorph777 Aug 2020 #31
Responses are pretty much negative on twitter. Fla Dem Aug 2020 #32
I literally just saw that The Villages were there BumRushDaShow Aug 2020 #35
The Sheriff is a taxpayer funded serial killer. N/t bronxiteforever Aug 2020 #36
If I lived around there, I'd probably pay... Buckeye_Democrat Aug 2020 #37
He is a Brown Shirt shitstain through and through. Tommymac Aug 2020 #39
It is only a matter of time. WVreaper Aug 2020 #41
It's "number of experts", not "amount", you clueless, ignorant death cultist. niyad Aug 2020 #42
Pretty sure the alien sperm doctor doesn't count as an expert Major Nikon Aug 2020 #43
is this sherrif elected or hired, if elected , vot him out . AllaN01Bear Aug 2020 #44
The vast majority of Sheriff's in this country are elected officials, dware Aug 2020 #53
Jesus. I'm so glad there's a continent between me and that pestiferous swamp... Aristus Aug 2020 #45
Yeah, he's done the research. B Stieg Aug 2020 #46
They just want people to get sick and die. George II Aug 2020 #47
They didn't like "Defund the Police" but are OK with "Attrition the Police with disease." Gore1FL Aug 2020 #49
May he soon be a BlueMTexpat Aug 2020 #50
I smell major lawsuits PatSeg Aug 2020 #51
To protect and to serve dalton99a Aug 2020 #52
No debate? Mad Lib Aug 2020 #54
I would think an OSHA complaint might be in order. Hotler Aug 2020 #55
IOW, his opinion outweighs your peer-reviewed research Hekate Aug 2020 #56
I would say he doesn't have the authority to ban visitors from wearing them. LiberalFighter Aug 2020 #57
Another POS Sheriff in town. JDC Aug 2020 #58
Conservative Orange County California sheriff, after Governor Newsom announced mandatory C Moon Aug 2020 #77
Dead fixes stupid Maskhole. kairos12 Aug 2020 #59
Reckless endangerment?????? Deuce Aug 2020 #60
It's like a Twilight Zone episode. louis-t Aug 2020 #61
like most typical right wing morons.. Javaman Aug 2020 #62
"and when dealing with people who are high-risk or suspected of having the novel coronavirus." csziggy Aug 2020 #63
It's actually not that hard. cab67 Aug 2020 #75
Yup, self-selecting RealityBasedNewYorkr Aug 2020 #64
Wood lsewpershad Aug 2020 #65
Wood lsewpershad Aug 2020 #66
If you get pulled over, safeinOhio Aug 2020 #67
What a jackass. nt iluvtennis Aug 2020 #68
Sheriff Ratlicker. Mr.Bill Aug 2020 #69
Wait, there's more... SharonClark Aug 2020 #70
I can find the exact same amount of professionals.... JohnnyRingo Aug 2020 #71
FUCK HIM!! bluestarone Aug 2020 #73
Yep, UserNotFound Aug 2020 #85
honest question - cab67 Aug 2020 #74
There's no doubt his officers will begin getting sick. C Moon Aug 2020 #76
He's inviting a big OSHA lawsuit. Employers are required to provide PPE. CaptainTruth Aug 2020 #78
What could possibly go wrong? jb5150 Aug 2020 #79
Lived in neighboring Levy County over 30 years ago. Grokenstein Aug 2020 #80
I know Levy County. My parents lived in both Ocala and Williston after I went off to FSU. ancianita Aug 2020 #82
I'd like to see Democrats make a point about being heavily in favor BusyBeingBest Aug 2020 #81
Ocala is a backward dump of a town soryang Aug 2020 #83
Are all Sheriffs and Deputies a bunch of dumbshit hicks? BlueIdaho Aug 2020 #84
This guy is a freaking moron. nt Sloumeau Aug 2020 #87

IronLionZion

(45,258 posts)
2. FloriDUH may have a lot fewer voters in November
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 08:38 AM
Aug 2020


Marion County is near the Villages, which is a cesspool of STDs and COVID

Blues Heron

(5,898 posts)
3. what kind of broken educational system coughs up talking hairballs like this "sheriff?"
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 08:38 AM
Aug 2020

Sheriff is truly doing Satan's work for Him.

PaulRevere08

(449 posts)
22. Looking at his background.
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 08:55 AM
Aug 2020

Born and raised in Marion County, Sheriff Billy Woods has devoted his life to serving his community. Prior to becoming the Sheriff of Marion County, Sheriff Woods spent over 26 years at the Ocala Police Department (OPD), holding various positions within the department. Sheriff Woods holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration/Business Management from Columbia Southern University.

So, he has only lived in Marion County and only worked in LE. His "degree" is from a 100% on-line, for-profit university so he never physically interacted with any other students.

niyad

(112,434 posts)
26. Thank you for my first laugh of the day. . "Coughs up talking hair balls". Your question is a
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 08:58 AM
Aug 2020

very important one, though. Our educational systems are broken. .deliberately, intentionally so.

madaboutharry

(40,151 posts)
4. I don't understand these morons.
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 08:38 AM
Aug 2020

Maybe he'll change the rules of debate if he himself needs a ventilator. That seems to be what it takes with these idiots.

thucythucy

(7,986 posts)
7. You would think the safe, cautious, conservative thing to do
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 08:39 AM
Aug 2020

would be to err on the side of caution, even if there isn't a consensus {which there is, actually}.

Why would you want to put your workers, friends, family--even yourself--at risk?

Oh yeah, he's a Trumpster. "Screw science! I'm putting my faith in the sociopath-in-chief."

KentuckyWoman

(6,666 posts)
23. Progressives are the real conservatives now.
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 08:55 AM
Aug 2020

WE are the standard bearers for individual responsibility, community involvement, charity toward all, fiscal responsibility, supporting institutions that work etc. There has not been anything conservative about the so called conservatives for a lot of years.

thucythucy

(7,986 posts)
33. I agree one hundred percent.
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 09:06 AM
Aug 2020

These days "conservative values" is a fig leaf phrase for racism, homophobia and misogyny. Conservatives offer nothing helpful, nothing original, nothing that works as policy, nothing in the way of simple decency and compassion.

Not to mention (which i will anyway) their collective cowardice and obstinate complacency in the face of the greatest genuine threat to American democracy since the rise of the Third Reich.

I'm hoping this year and next that the GOP will go the way of the Know-Nothings.

greymattermom

(5,751 posts)
48. Don't forget the deficit.
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 09:57 AM
Aug 2020

I'm sure Biden will make progress on that. All that crying about the deficit was theater.

tanyev

(42,360 posts)
9. Wait, what happened to free choice?
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 08:41 AM
Aug 2020

It's one thing for maskholes to bitch about how they don't want to wear a mask. It's quite another thing for them to go after people who are voluntarily wearing masks.

Marthe48

(16,691 posts)
38. I hope we see lawsuits
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 09:18 AM
Aug 2020

His decree is infringing the unalienable rights of life liberty and pursuit of happiness. I hope he personally is sued into bankruptcy.

At least the ignoramus grabbed a day in the headlines.

Laelth

(32,017 posts)
11. Methinks someone wants to run for higher office ...
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 08:41 AM
Aug 2020

... as a Republican, naturally.

This is a dangerous, craven political stunt.

-Laelth

randr

(12,408 posts)
14. Has anyone challenged his assertion
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 08:43 AM
Aug 2020

that he can produce as many professionals that dispute use of masks?

Buckeye_Democrat

(14,847 posts)
34. Doubt he can do it, just like the right-wingers...
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 09:09 AM
Aug 2020

... who say there's just as many scientists who deny climate change.

Doesn't matter to them.

Bengus81

(6,907 posts)
18. Yet another reason that tourists will FLOCK to Florida!! NUT JOBS like this, and DeSantis
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 08:49 AM
Aug 2020

For FUCKS sake..........

AirmensMom

(14,600 posts)
19. I keep repeating this:
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 08:52 AM
Aug 2020

We will never know if we did too much to stop the spread of COVID-19. But we will know if we didn't do enough.

We clearly did not do enough and jackasses like him are still not doing enough. But to prevent others from wearing masks should be criminal. The only thing he's right about is that it is no longer a debate. It should never have been a debate. But he got the rest wrong. His conclusion should have been that everyone should be wearing masks!

Lonestarblue

(9,880 posts)
20. I fear for the future of this country precisely because of people like this sheriff.
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 08:54 AM
Aug 2020

They are unable to distinguish propaganda from fact. Millions have been brainwashed by Fox and hate radio and live in an alternate reality that has no relationship to truth. And it isn’t just the middle age and older people. Young people are being lured into the dark tunnels of the Internet and brainwashed by all sorts of sites like QAnon and worse. Millions of mostly White men belong to self-appointed militias that train to be prepared for the day when they need to overthrow the government. Their love of guns is far stronger than their love of humanity.

At least a third of the country (Trump supporters) has no understanding of world affairs and the US role in the world (our former one before Trump) or how government and the economy should work—currently they’re not working at all. They’re totally ignorant of science, and gullible in believing any charlatan who comes along making them empty promises. How do you rebuild a country with people like that!

Buckeye_Democrat

(14,847 posts)
28. I was about to post something similar.
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 09:01 AM
Aug 2020

Seems like they should visit local ICU's to check on the well-being of their tax payers too, without any PPE.

pwb

(11,205 posts)
25. Four star sheriff thinks he is God?
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 08:58 AM
Aug 2020

Like Trump a little man abusing power. He can't order health choices?

lagomorph777

(30,613 posts)
31. He's correct that it's no longer a debate. He's incorrect about everything else.
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 09:04 AM
Aug 2020

I hope he dies of COVID soon so his county can protect itself .

In the meantime, they'll have to protect themselves from their Sheriff.

BumRushDaShow

(127,308 posts)
35. I literally just saw that The Villages were there
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 09:13 AM
Aug 2020

the county itself was listed with a population of ~365,000, where about 1/2 of the county land area is Ocala National Forest.

Buckeye_Democrat

(14,847 posts)
37. If I lived around there, I'd probably pay...
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 09:18 AM
Aug 2020

... people with horrible smoker's cough to visit them.

Just claim they're visiting to express their appreciation and support of the Blue Lives Matter movement, or some horseshit, while they basically cough out their lungs in front of them.

niyad

(112,434 posts)
42. It's "number of experts", not "amount", you clueless, ignorant death cultist.
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 09:27 AM
Aug 2020

Going by your bio, you have no training in science, medicine, public health or ethics.

I wonder if you can be sued for wrongful deaths.

dware

(12,092 posts)
53. The vast majority of Sheriff's in this country are elected officials,
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 10:14 AM
Aug 2020

as far as voting him out, probably not going to happen as his constituents are probably likeminded and will keep on voting him back in.

Gore1FL

(21,030 posts)
49. They didn't like "Defund the Police" but are OK with "Attrition the Police with disease."
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 09:58 AM
Aug 2020

Weird group.

Mad Lib

(86 posts)
54. No debate?
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 10:20 AM
Aug 2020

Seems to me that if for every person who says wear a mask there are an equal number who say don't wear a mask, as this maroon says, that's the very definition of a debate. Don't those cops have a union?

Hotler

(11,353 posts)
55. I would think an OSHA complaint might be in order.
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 10:20 AM
Aug 2020

Prohibiting employees from using PPE for their protection my be a violation.

C Moon

(12,188 posts)
77. Conservative Orange County California sheriff, after Governor Newsom announced mandatory
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 12:40 PM
Aug 2020

mask wearing, said, "We are not the mask police."

He could have said any number of things, but he decided to tell the Orange County public to ignore the Governor's rules.

Javaman

(62,439 posts)
62. like most typical right wing morons..
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 10:50 AM
Aug 2020

something is only a problem when it happens to them, everyone else can go fuck off until then.

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
63. "and when dealing with people who are high-risk or suspected of having the novel coronavirus."
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 10:53 AM
Aug 2020

How are they going to know when someone is at risk or has the virus? His officers CANNOT know if someone is high risk until they talk to them and possibly expose them to the virus.

As for "suspected of having the novel coronavirus" it has now been shown that as high as 40% of the people who have the virus are asymptomatic and they themselves may not know they have it. Since that means that possibly 40% of his officers have it without knowing, this means that high risk people (or those with high risk people in their households) should NEVER interact with Marion County deputies under any circumstance.

In fact NO ONE should interact with Marion County deputies under any circumstances.

In a few weeks I need to drive downstate to see my sister. I will make it a point to avoid Marion County or at the very least not stop there. If I need gas or a restroom, I will make sure I take care of it before getting to that county. If you drive down I-10 you have to go through it, by the way.

cab67

(2,963 posts)
75. It's actually not that hard.
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 12:35 PM
Aug 2020

If someone is wearing a uniform from the Marion County Sheriff's Office, that person is at high risk for transmitting COVID.

I would do everything I could to prevent such a person from entering my house, with or without a warrant.

safeinOhio

(32,531 posts)
67. If you get pulled over,
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 11:15 AM
Aug 2020

lock your doors a keep the windows rolled up. Just yell that you’ll not roll down the window unless the officer puts on a mask. Self defense.

SharonClark

(10,005 posts)
70. Wait, there's more...
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 11:36 AM
Aug 2020

"Woods, in an email dated Aug. 11, said “my order will stand as is when you are on-duty/working as my employee and representing my Office – masks will not be worn.”

Ocala City Council passed an emergency ordinance last week requiring people to wear masks inside businesses. Mayor Kent Guinn vetoed it Monday and the council will meet Wednesday to consider overriding the veto.

Marion County set a single-day record on Tuesday for the most deaths related to COVID-19, with 13 more deaths reported."

https://www.ocala.com/news/20200811/marion-county-deputies-ordered-not-to-wear-masks


My favorite response to the paper's facebook page...
Mary Bodzo - We thank God for Sheriff Woods leadership and support him 100%.
Chaz Medina - Mary Bodzo Well, if people keep dying like they are you'll get to thank god yourself

JohnnyRingo

(18,581 posts)
71. I can find the exact same amount of professionals....
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 11:59 AM
Aug 2020

...that say why we shouldn’t.

Of course he can. One just has to watch Hannity or Ingraham to hear professional republicans who know better than scientists and doctors. Online, I'm sure there are retired waste management workers who also know masks are a liberal plot.

bluestarone

(16,721 posts)
73. FUCK HIM!!
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 12:27 PM
Aug 2020

If i were a citizen of that county or state, i pay taxes and fuck him if i decided to wear a mask in that building! WHO the fuck does HE think he is?

cab67

(2,963 posts)
74. honest question -
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 12:34 PM
Aug 2020

Would he be liable if someone who interacts with one of his unmasked deputies ends up very sick from COVID? Or dies from it?

Because if so, I would imagine his county's insurers are having spasms right now.

CaptainTruth

(6,546 posts)
78. He's inviting a big OSHA lawsuit. Employers are required to provide PPE.
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 01:09 PM
Aug 2020

Per OSHA:

Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses.
...
When engineering, work practice, and administrative controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, employers must provide personal protective equipment to their workers and ensure its proper use.

Grokenstein

(5,707 posts)
80. Lived in neighboring Levy County over 30 years ago.
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 02:30 PM
Aug 2020



"Nice" to know nothing's changed all that much.
Mad dog, mad dog, what'cha gonna do, what'cha gonna do when he infects you

ancianita

(35,812 posts)
82. I know Levy County. My parents lived in both Ocala and Williston after I went off to FSU.
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 02:51 PM
Aug 2020

Based on my time in both places, and meeting the people in Ocala, its reputation as the KKK capital of Florida is real.

Previous Ocala sheriffs were actuall grand wizards, and this sheriff? Who knows.

But I know that they don't give a fuck about 9th grade science.

What they care about is that more non-white people die.

They are lawless aggressive racists, the worst of the South.

BusyBeingBest

(8,049 posts)
81. I'd like to see Democrats make a point about being heavily in favor
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 02:33 PM
Aug 2020

Last edited Wed Aug 12, 2020, 03:45 PM - Edit history (1)

of things like hardhats, safety harnesses, firefighter helmets, bulletproof vests, steel-toed boots, etc. just to see if those items become political too--will they then be opposed/banned by Republicans? Can we try to get them to stop protecting themselves for political reasons until they're all dead and gone? We could start with seatbelts, and work our way up.

soryang

(3,299 posts)
83. Ocala is a backward dump of a town
Wed Aug 12, 2020, 03:30 PM
Aug 2020

Known for the surrounding thoroughbred racing farms owned by the wealthy horsey set, the area is a contrast in social inequity as massive wealth coexists with a community of poor that looks like it's stuck in the 1930s.

Skip the visit to Silver Springs, it's depressing. There are other springs elsewhere in the state that don't have such a gloomy community. imo.

Apart from the horsey farms, prisons are a major source of employment in the area. Any decent looking offices are those of professionals serving the wealthy who live there, including tax and estate and trust lawyers.

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