The Columbia County 5: Wearing Masks and Social Distancing Is Not Their Style
Posted May 15, 2020 07:40 am
Photo: group by cottonbro; Covidman by Pete
Linforth; Observer graphic
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – The Columbia County 5 never disappoints when one is looking for surprises. The last meetings of the County 5, May 6 and 7, demonstrated that when it comes to their own safety and that of their staff and the public, they follow the President’s lead – no masks and no common sense.
Left to right: Com. Tim Murphy, Asst. County
Manager Kevin Kirby, Robby Hollingsworth, Fire
Chief Jeff Crawford, Clerk Katrina Vercher;
seated Com. Nash and Witt, who are maskless.
(Image: Youtube - county could not keep the
camera in focus)
A new study has found that if 80% of Americans Wore Masks, COVID-19 infections would plummet. “There’s compelling evidence that Japan, Hong Kong, and other East Asian locales are doing it right and we should really, truly mask up – fast.” (Vanity Fair (VF))
De Kai, an American computer scientist with joint appointments at UC Berkeley’s International Computer Science Institute and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology said, “One reason is that nearly everyone there is wearing a mask.” (VF)
The study found “that every one of us should be wearing a mask—whether surgical or homemade, scarf or bandana—like they do in Japan and other countries, mostly in East Asia.” (VF)
This formula applies to every official who routinely interacts with people in public settings. Among the findings of their research paper: If 80% of a closed population were to don a mask, COVID-19 infection rates would statistically drop to approximately one twelfth the number of infections—compared to a live-virus population in which no one wore masks. (VF)
Com. Rocky Ford greets Econ. Dev. Dir. Glenn
Hunter.
On May 6 – the date of the maskless County 5 meetings – 21 people died of COVID-19 in Japan. In the United States, 2,129 died.
U.S. deaths (May 8) are now at a staggering 76,032 and Japan’s fatalities are 577. Japan’s population is about 38% of the U.S. Adjusting for population, the Japanese death rate is 2% of America’s.” (VF)
Everyone agrees that the coronavirus outbreak began in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The Chinese government began requiring masks the next month.
The Columbia County government: it has Trumped it.
The CDC Recommends Masks
Columbia County Is Not Listening.
Fire Chief Jeff Crawford, maskless, talking to
Com. Williams.
The CDC explains How to Protect Yourself & Others.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019.
The CDC says, “The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.”
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths, noses or eyes of people who are nearby. They can be inhaled into the lungs.
COVID-19 can be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
It is possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes.
No
masks or social distancing here: IT Tech David
Morse, Robby Hollingsworth, Clerk Katrina
Vercher, speak with Com. Nash and Witt, seated.
This is why everyone recommends that you wash your hands often and disinfect surfaces.
It is unknown if Columbia County disinfected the surfaces at their meeting or if they disinfected the surfaces and handles in the restrooms during and between meetings.
While many counties and municipalities have gone to virtual meetings for the safety of everyone, Columbia County had not been able to figure out how to do that, either.
Governor DeSantis in Doral yesterday afternoon
talking about Florida's reentry plan. He took
off his mask to speak and everyone else is
wearing a mask. It wasn't always like this, but
the Governor has upped his game. Notice law
enforcement in the background, also wearing
masks. Photo: FL Channel
Epilogue
Columbia County's reentry plan is anybody’s guess. They don't talk about it, at least not in public.
Columbia County, Florida: The legend continues.
