‘Wearing a mask matters’ Neptune, Atlantic Beach Mayors pleading with neighbors to wear a mask

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Mayor Elaine Brown, of Neptune Beach, and Mayor Ellen Glasser, of Atlantic Beach, are pleading with neighbors in their communities to wear a mask.

They participated in a virtual discussion with Florida physicians today to discuss why it’s so important to continue taking steps to diligently fight to protect ourselves and each other against COVID-19.

As of today, 685 people in Duval County have already died from COVID-19, and 1,450 more have been hospitalized. Those numbers come from the last data by the Florida Department of Health.

Brown and Glasser said asking people to wear masks is not about politics. Rather, it’s about public health.

“I didn’t know people who actually had caught it. And now I have a son fighting for his life with COVID,” said Brown.

The Neptune Beach mayor said her son has been in the hospital now for 26 days.

“It’s frightening. Well it’s…it’s hard,” Mayor Brown said as she showed the sadness in her face.

Brown doesn’t want other families to experience her pain. That’s why she’s pleading for people to do any and everything they can to protect themselves, family members, friends and even strangers.

“It’s certainly time to remember that the best gift you can give is to give the gift of protecting others by wearing your mask,” Brown said.

Glasser believes officials could do a better job of fighting the virus if they had the ability to manage COVID-19 locally.

“Despite that we’re all learning along the way, government at all levels must work better together to respond with solutions that are strategic and that are consistent as much as possible,” said Glasser.

During the discussion, Glasser shared the story of one of the youngest COVID-19 deaths in Duval County. She described the young girl as her “sweet, little redheaded friend named Elizabeth” and stressed the importance of caring for and protecting one another.

“She was 12-years-old when she succumbed to the coronavirus in Atlantic Beach. She was a careful little girl with her family. She attended virtual school, but she was likely exposed to the virus by a parent who is an essential worker. She will be remembered for her kindness,” Glasser said.

Glasser said she knows there are countless other stories like Elizabeth’s and urged everyone to stay focused during this pandemic.

While she said she sees great hope in the vaccines, like many, she said all must do the right thing for the next few months — and beyond.

“Masks are a part of life as we know it now. We need to get used to it,” Glasser said.

Action News Jax’s Courtney Cole spoke to Diane Clements. She’s from Virginia and is in town visiting her grandchildren.

At home, she said they are already mandated to wear a mask, so she doesn’t think it’s too much for the mayors to ask neighbors to mask up.

During her visit, she’s had to be cautious.

“We will be until here to Tuesday. We were going to stay a little longer. But because I really don’t feel that safe to be honest, I cut it back because of the inconsistencies that I see,” Clements told Cole.

Be it, visitors or residents, leaders want everyone to take the COVID-19 virus more seriously.

“Something as small as wearing a mask when you’re in public or when you’re with other people in a room is just not asking too much,” Brown said.

Medical experts were also part of today’s discussion. During this holiday season, they are urging people to:

-Wear their mask anytime they’re in public, especially indoors.

-Limit household gatherings to immediate family members.

-Avoid prolonged, indoor maskless events.

Cox Media Group