Florida Sheriff Billy Woods Bans Deputies & Staff From Wearing Masks

Florida’s Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods has banned deputies, staff and even visitors from wearing face masks in the office. 

“My order will stand as is when you are on-duty/working as my employee and representing my Office – masks will not be worn,” an excerpt from his email reads.

In his email, he also gave his reasoning for his order. Woods claimed that the order was for the identification purposes due to the negative sentiment toward law enforcement these days, which he might be referring to George Floyd’s death.

“In light of the current events when it comes to the sentiment and/or hatred toward law enforcement in our country today, this is being done to ensure there is clear communication and for identification purposes of any individual walking into a lobby,” he wrote in his email.

Florida is now one of the coronavirus outbreak’s epicenters, with over 560,000 cases and 9,000 deaths reported.

More than 200 inmates at Marion County’s prison have tested positive for coronavirus.