The mask really does not have as followers. Including in States where the epidemic has been raging in a violent way. In Florida, american region very hard hit by the pandemic of sars coronavirus and which records a record number of deaths, a sheriff has required its police officers that they do not wear mask. He even prohibits the use within its office. Billy Woods is a sheriff in Marion county, located in the centre of the " Sunshine State ". And it is in an email sent Tuesday, August 11, to all of his staff that he issued his directive.

The e-mail was leaked by a local newspaper, Ocala Star Banner : "When you are in service/working as my employee, representing my office, you don't wear the mask ", has also written to the sheriff. This last has, however, clarified a few exceptions, for staff working in prisons, schools, or hospitals with suspected cases of coronavirus.

"Ensure clear communication"

He also made reference to protests against the police violence that rocked the country after the death of the Afro-American George Floyd under the knee of a white policeman. "In the light of recent events, and considering the resentment and/or hatred against the forces of law and order in our country today ", the people entering the office must, he writes, do not wear mask in order to " ensure clear communication and for identification purposes ".

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Florida, where wearing a mask is not required, but recommended, is one of the epicenters of the epidemic in the united states, which has experienced a strong resurgence from the end of June. Requested, the sheriff's office has not responded to Agence France-Presse. The "Sunshine state" reported Tuesday a record high of 276 deaths Covid-19 in one day, and 212 deaths have yet been déplorées Wednesday. In total, 8 765 people died of the disease in the State, and more than 550 900 cases have been identified (for a population of 21 million inhabitants). The scientific community recommends the use of masks as a key tool to curb the spread of the pandemic.