Pleasant but humid Saturday with little cloud coverImpressive or Terrifying?; Locals react to new technology, turning AI photos into videos
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods. Credit: Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Masks have become a polarizing issue debated in public and now the workplace. But, for some first responders in Marion County, wearing them is not up for debate. They are banned. The Sheriff of Marion County does have a preference. He issued an order prohibiting his deputies from wearing masks. Sheriff Billy Woods wrote, “When you are on-duty/working as my employee and representing my office, masks will not be worn.” The only exceptions are for when deputies go into schools, hospitals or respond to a known address with an occupant who has COVID-19. In Southwest Florida, Cape Coral and Fort Myers police as well as Collier County Sheriff’s Office require employees to wear masks when social distancing is impossible or when they are indoors around people. Punta Gorda require officers to wear a mask per the city ordinance and when on medical calls. We posted a poll on the WINK News Facebook page to see what people prefer to see from law enforcement officers. You can still weigh in if you have not.