Jacksonville mask mandate lifted, medical experts urge caution due to known COVID-19 variants

JACKSONVILLE. Fla. — Jacksonville’s mask mandate has officially been lifted. The announcement came just yesterday, March 26, from Mayor Lenny Curry.

While people have had mixed reactions, some medical experts say it’s too soon.

Mayor Curry is encouraging people to take personal responsibility. People like Luis Padilla are still on the fence about the mayor’s choice.

“If people want to be safe, obviously wear the mask. If people want to take the risk don’t wear the mask,” he said.

A lifted mask mandate doesn’t mean it’s a free for all. According to the CDC, even if you are fully vaccinated, you should still take precautions.

The CDC is encouraging people to continue wearing a mask and staying 6 feet from others.

Dr. Elizabeth Ransom with Baptist Health says we need to stay safe until vaccines can catch up.

“It’s important to continue to play it safe, be vigilant because we know those variants are out there and transmissible,” she said.

Florida is one of 17 states without a mask mandate and has reported more than 2 million total cases across the state since the pandemic began. Over 92,000 cases have been reported in that time here in Duval county.

Doctors say more cases mean a slower pace to achieve herd immunity.

The CDC reports Florida has the most UK variant cases in the country.

Michael McClelland received his first dose today. the UK variant worried him most.

“Between variants that are being introduced and coming to be more and more into fruition, I think it’s more important than ever to keep that same mentality of ‘protect yourself,’” he said.

Another naysayer of Mayor Curry’s decision, former President and CEO of Baptist Health, Hugh Greene said the decision to lift the mask mandate is premature.

“The mask is one of the most important tools we have available to prevent the spread of the disease,” he told Action News Jax. “We have done so well and made so much progress. The mandate has been effective in Jacksonville, it doesn’t make sense to me why we abandon that now.”

Dr. Ransom said we know the vaccines are very effective at preventing diseases from COVID-19 but what we don’t know for sure is if someone who has been vaccinated can spread the virus to someone who may not be vaccinated, which is why it’s important to follow safety guidelines.

Cox Media Group