An Ocala City, Florida, sheriff doesn't want his deputies wearing face masks at work even as other regulations make them compulsory for businesses.
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods claimed there was no scientific consensus that face coverings limit the spread of coronavirus. Nevertheless, many health experts have warned of the dangers of not wearing masks.
"When you're working as my employee and representing my office face masks shall not be worn," Woods said in an email to deputies Aug. 11. The restriction also applies to visitors, Woods said.
Marion County, with a population of 365,579, registered a single-day record Tuesday for the most virus-associated fatalities with 13.
Woods said deputies could wear face coverings when in a courthouse, prison, hospital, school or in contact with a person suspected of being infected, reports said.
Other municipalities in Marion County have advised police officers to ditch masks while working so they could communicate clearly with people.
Woods expects opposition from locals and told workers to ignore those who disagreed with his action. Woods said people could argue all day about "why and why not." He will personally handle complaints against police for not wearing masks.
Elsewhere, disciplinary action has been taken against officers who disobey state orders to wear face coverings.
