We asked Facebook: What are your thoughts on Hillsborough County’s new mandatory face mask ordinance?
“These comments are why we’re still dealing with such a high number of cases this far into it. Wear your mask, stop having parties and ignoring social distancing, stop taking your entire family to the store. Wash your hands. Maybe if everyone had worn their masks 3 months ago we’d be in a better place now.” — Devyn Katz
“I am proud of my county and the representatives for listening to medical professionals and science!” — Rebecca Dubé
“I agree with it, and looks like they plan to revisit weekly to extend each week. Was disappointed PC mayor voted against it.” — Robyn Frelich
“Spineless is all I have to say! The county leadership is spineless. If you are going to make a mandate how about hold the customer accountable too. You are making the business owners responsible for grown adults who refuse to wear a mask! How are you going to charge a business owner with a 2nd degree misdemeanor, jail time, probation and a fine for not making customers wear a mask? Hold the individual responsible for their own actions of not wearing a mask.” — Kevin Chesser
“At least it’s not a curfew.” — Gerardo Cruz
“Will be taking our business to Lakeland. Should be the citizens right to either wear a mask or not.” — Jim Carter
“Complete utterly ridiculous waste of time and resources.” — Danita Crawford
“I have to wear one at work 7 hours plus. I wear one if I go to any store. It makes no difference to me.” — Diana Aguirre
“I’m just worried about how it’s going to impact my job. I don’t want to get shot or punched because I tell someone they have to put on a mask or leave.” — Winter Dodd
“I am happy that Hillsborough County evaluated the spike in cases and listen to the medical professions. For those of you that have the option that is your choice not to wear a mask, let me point out it is not your choice to pass COVID on to me. I go to work, I am working offsite to have little interaction with out employees. I go to the grocery store and that is it. I wear a mask anytime I am around others. My father lives with me he is 86yrs old and has COPD, if I were to bring COVID-19 home to him he would more than likely die. Please, if you don’t care about your personal safety wear a mask to protect others.” — Deanna Randol Adams Leach
“Catch me in Lakeland” — Grace Denhoff
“An overreach.” — Rebecca Trinkle Rothman
“I’m not going to wear one either way. I’m exempt. Besides, you are ONLY supposed to use a mask when you aren’t staying 6 ft from others for more than a few minutes. Why is this so difficult to understand?? I keep hearing it’s an act of love and you’re selfish if you don’t wear one. It isn’t my responsibility to keep you safe, it’s yours. You can simply stay back 6ft from anyone you deem unsafe. Believe me, I try to stay as far from others as possible. I will be doing my eating out and shopping in Lakeland until this is over.” — Kaye Brown