More coronavirus masks headed to Palm Beach County residents

Calling this a “fragile” time in the battle against COVID-19, Palm Beach County will send more coronavirus masks to all residents.

“The most effective tool to combat the pandemic coronavirus is a mask," Mayor Dave Kerner said Friday, citing guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "We’ve all talked about it, heard about it, worn it for many months at this point. We know how important it is to continue to utilize this important weapon.”

The goal is to avoid another COVID-19 outbreak as the state moves to Phase 3 of reopening. Health data shows new infections are down and the rate of positive cases is low, but public officials in South Florida remain wary of a resurgence.

All Palm Beach County homes will soon receive a second free supply of masks — two reusable, two disposable — paid for with money from the federal coronavirus relief act. The first supply of masks was mailed in June.

“Palm Beach County is at, what I would say, a very important point in our fight against the pandemic," said Kerner, joined at a news conference by other local government leaders and health officials.

“We are in Phase 3; we have our schools open; we have our entire economy open without restrictions at this point. ... But it’s also a fragile time in Palm Beach County. So with all the success that our residents have brought, it’s so important to maintain the success, maintain the stability.”

The mayor expects most people will continue to comply with the county’s mask-wearing ordinance — he called it "a way of life — even if the state removed the ability to assess fines for violators.

“The compliance has been awesome, and we really appreciate as we go into this phase, of really stability, that we continue to wear the masks,” Kerner said.

“It’s unfortunate we have to continue to wear masks, but really at the end of the day when we talk about, you know, civic obligations, I think we’ve all realized it’s not really that hard of an obligation," he said. "And it’s so effective.”

This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.

Marc Freeman can be reached at mjfreeman@sunsentinel.com and on Twitter @marcjfreeman.

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