June 22, 2020
By: Staff Report
LAKELAND – Lakeland city commissioners voted no on a mask requirement for the City of Lakeland on Monday. This mandate would have been similar to the ordinance in place in Tampa and St. Pete.
Danielle Dummond, the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Lakeland Regional Health and Dr. Steven Achinger of Watson Clinic spoke to commissioners during the video conference.
Dr. Archinger said, “This is a critical time point to act and make a huge impact in the spread of the virus in Lakeland. Masks are the most cost-effective way of continuing to open the local economy in a safe manner.”
“The more masks that we have being worn in a public space, the safer that public space is. No question,” Dr. Archinger said.
None of the commissioners seconded Mayor Bill Mutz’s motion for a mask mandate during the meeting.
“Alright, so there is no motion to accept the executive order, and we will not do a mask mandate,” Mayor Mutz said. “And the result of that will be in the numbers.”