That was the demand that was spelled out in an Aug. 11 email to Sheriff Billy Woods’ department of Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
The mandate came when the City of Ocala, Florida put in place a required Mask Mandate Ordinance in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The Ocala City Council last week passed an emergency ordinance requiring masks in businesses. Although the city’s mayor on Monday rejected the ordinance, the city council on Wednesday overturned the veto.
“Now, that ordinance contains government entities and leaves the decision to the figureheads,” Woods explained in the email, received by CNN. “So as far as we are concerned, my order will stand as you are on duty / work as my employee and represent my Office – masks will not be worn.”
Woods then listed a few exceptions as masks need to wear: at the courthouse, schools, hospitals and while on patrol and responding at a nursing home or with a “High risk elderly individual,” he said in the email.
And the order does not only extend to those at the pay table – anyone who runs a sheriff’s office, whether the headquarters or a district, will be asked to remove his mask, Woods wrote. If they do not, they will be asked to leave.
His reasoning? Clear communication, he said in the email.
“In light of the current events when it comes to the sentiment and / or hatred against legislation in our country today, this is done to ensure that there is clear communication and for the identification purposes of every individual who runs in a lobby,” he wrote.
The email does not specifically state why deputies should not wear masks, but Woods writes that he “can already hear the crying” – suggesting that his decision may not be popular.
“The fact is, the number of professionals who give the reason why we should, I can find the exact same number of professionals who say why we should not,” Woods writes. “Since the beginning of this pandemic, the operation of this office has not changed and no wear of masks has been put in place. With just over 900 employees, our number of cases so far has proven that the current way we approach the problem is working. “
Woods signs the email with a “Be safe!”
Nationally, police officers have not been seen wearing masks, and give many reasons why – although health officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommend face masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
CNN’s Tina Burnside contributed to this report.
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