By Steve Plunkett
Boca Raton City Manager Leif Ahnell issued an emergency order Thursday, April 9, asking everyone to wear a cloth mask when they're not at home to fight COVID-19.
Shortly afterward, Delray Beach City Manager George Gretsas signed an emergency measure ordering residents and visitors starting Saturday to cover their nose and mouth when shopping or doing construction work.
Also on Saturday, Boynton Beach and Palm Beach County issued similar directives to wear masks.
"Every person working, living, visiting or doing business in the city of Boca Raton is encouraged to wear a cloth facial covering consistent with the current CDC guidelines while in any public place," Ahnell's order states.
People should avoid using surgical masks or N95 rated masks "as those are critical supplies for health care workers, police, fire, emergency management or other persons engaged in life and safety activities," his order continues.
Gretsas' declaration defines a mask as "a form of covering of the nose and mouth and shall include a face mask, a homemade mask or cloth covering including but not limited to a scarf, bandana, handkerchief or other similar cloth covering."
The county's measure takes effect Monday, April 13.
“We, as a community, have to take precautionary measures to protect ourselves and keep our essential workers, first responders, elderly population and families safe,” Boynton Beach City Manager Lori LaVerriere said in announcing her city's directive.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted information on cloth masks, including how to make one, at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams offers video instructions at www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPx1yqvJgf4&feature=youtu.be
The CDC guidelines urge the use of cloth masks "especially in areas of significant community-based transmssion."
Boca Raton consistently leads all other cities in Palm Beach County in reported cases of coronavirus. Early April 9 the city had 227 cases, or 18%, of the county's 1,260 total.
Delray Beach had 172 cases, or 13.7%.
The city of Miami, the epicenter of COVID-19 in Florida with 3,487 reported cases, issued a mandate effective a minute before midnight April 8 that all workers and customers at grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, convenience stores and construction sites wear masks at all times.
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