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ORDINANCE NO. 2021-004 <br />AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF <br />INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF <br />RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR FACE COVERING REQUIREMENTS AND <br />EXCEPTIONS; PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT; <br />PROVIDING FOR APPLICABILITY, SEVERABILITY, CONFLICT, <br />SUNSET DATE AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. <br />WHEREAS, COVID-19, a respiratory illness caused by a virus that spreads rapidly <br />from person to person that can cause serious illness or death, constitutes a clear and <br />present threat to the lives, health, welfare, and safety of the people of Indian River County; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis, in his capacity as <br />Governor of the State of Florida, issued Executive Order 20-51, directing the declaration <br />of a public health emergency and establishing the State of Florida's response to COVID- <br />19; and <br />WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, the State Surgeon General declared a public health <br />emergency in the State of Florida; and <br />WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that <br />COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced <br />when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks; these droplets can land in the mouths <br />or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs; and studies and <br />evidence on infection control report that these droplets usually travel around 6 feet; and <br />WHEREAS, The CDC advises that a significant portion of individuals with <br />coronavirus lack symptoms ("asymptomatic") and that even those who eventually develop <br />symptoms ("pre -symptomatic") can transmit the virus to others before showing <br />symptoms. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close <br />proximity -- for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing -- even if those people are not <br />exhibiting symptoms; and <br />WHEREAS, the CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings <br />where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain in order to slow the spread <br />of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting <br />it to others; and <br />WHEREAS, The CDC does not recommend wearing cloth face covering for <br />children under the age of 2, or anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, <br />incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance; and <br />WHEREAS, cloth face coverings are relatively inexpensive and readily available <br />as the CDC states they can be made from household items and provides online guidance <br />for making "do-it-yourself' coverings for people that cannot or do not want to buy one from <br />the increasing sources producing and selling coverings; and <br />