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Ricky Booth
Under the leadership of Gov. Ron DeSantis, the state of Florida has proved that local governments can make the right decisions for their own communities, that schools can reopen safely and that private businesses and organizations can create risk mitigation plans that allow them to operate successfully.
I began my term as an Osceola County commissioner in November of 2020, and I am thankful for the leadership of my fellow commissioners prior to me taking office. State and local officials throughout Florida have done a great job making tough decisions over the past year. We are now called to lead again as the beginning of the end is upon us.
My fear as we move beyond the pandemic is that lingering unsubstantiated fear will drive public policy. That is why locally elected officials must lead efforts in their communities to create policies based on the facts. The data validates that the time to end the mask mandate is now.
More than 85 percent of the deaths in the state of Florida caused by COVID-19 have been those who are 65 years of age or older or those with underlying medical conditions. Thankfully Osceola residents in those categories have been eligible for a highly effective vaccine since December of 2020. Because of the work of our County Commission, health department, emergency management team and other public and private partners, 70 percent of our most vulnerable population has now been vaccinated. Since April 5, all Osceola adults have been eligible for a vaccine and recently eligibility has been extended to those 16 years old and older.
I am proposing we rescind our current mask mandate and replace it with a mask recommendation immediately. At the County Commission meeting on June 14 we should then revisit our recommendation as we continue to closely monitor the situation. This allows more than two months for any adult in Osceola to be fully vaccinated if they so choose. Understanding that masks worn properly likely do lessen the risk of spreading the virus, but allowing private businesses and organizations in Osceola County to create their own individual policies and placing our faith in our residents to make the right choices is the correct course of action to move Osceola forward.
Ricky Booth is an Osceola County commissioner representing district 5.
