Florence considers requiring masks in city buildings to combat coronavirus

Florence considers requiring masks in city buildings to combat coronavirus

Think about a masking ordinance.

The mayor of florence said the city may consider making it mandatory to wear a mask if you go into a city owned building.

Waay31's breken terry shows us what the city requires of it's employees and the public - breken?

This is city hall and the lobby is closed to the public but it's conncected to the dmv so you must schedule an appointment to come in-- right now the city doesn't require employees or the public to wear masks in a city buidling.

<holt- it's not our intention to mandate wearing a mask either with our employees that's an option but we do highly reccomend it particularly if your going into a public building.

Monday, i asked mayor steve holt if he felt like the mask debate has become politicized.

Holt- i wouldn't say politicized as much as polarized.

I get calls and emails each week from somebody that insits we mandate wearing a mask and within the same hour i'll get a call or email from someone saying don't get on my constiutional rights and demand that i wear a mask.

Holt wears his mask in public places.

He lowered it while explaining why the masks are so important.

Holt- i had a gentleman over the weekend say i lost a relative recently that was strong and health and that relative passed away because of the coronavirus and it made an impact on me that this is serious and this is not going away right now and this might be more serious than ever.

Dr. karen landers with the alabama department of public health said she's advising people to wear a mask.

Landers- i'm a doctor.

I give medical advice and i tell people my advice is to take the measures that are involved in the safer at home order.

Holt said if the city begins to allow more people in public buildings he could see masks being a requirement along with other safety measures already in place.

Holt- we have put up all kinds of protective screening.

We've revamped our lobby area.

We've done that at the municiple court and i think were in the process of doing that at the city clerks office.

.> other places like the lobby at the police department are closed and if you want to go into the utility department you must go in one at a