RESOLUTION NO. 20-4051-R
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BARTOW, FLORIDA, RELATING TO PUBLIC HEALTH; URGING PERSONS THAT LIVE, WORK, VISIT OR DO BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF BARTOW TO WEAR FACE COVERINGS IN CERTAIN PUBLIC PLACES IN ORDER TO SLOW OR STOP THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19); ENCOURAGING CITIZENS TO ADHERE TO SAFETY PROTOCOLS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a severe acute respiratory illness that can spread among humans through respiratory transmission; and
WHEREAS, as of July 8, 2020, FDOH reports that 220,492 Floridians (including 5,873 Polk County residents and 345 residents of Zip Code 33830) have tested positive for COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, as of July 8, 2020, FDOH reports that 3,889 Floridians (including 122 Polk County residents) have died from COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 appears to be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises his or her voice, and droplets can then land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs; and
WHEREAS, according to the CDC, recent studies show that a significant portion of individuals with COVID-19 lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that those who eventually develop symptoms can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”); and
WHEREAS, the CDC recommends, in order “[t]o reduce the spread of COVID-19 . . . that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings when around people outside of their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain;” and
WHEREAS, on June 20, 2020, State Surgeon General Scott A. Rivkees advised that “[a]ll individuals in Florida should wear face coverings in any setting where social distancing is not possible” with very limited situational exceptions; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission is mindful of the need to protect and preserve the rights and civil liberties of the citizens of the City of Bartow while aggressively defending the health and wellbeing of those citizens; and
WHEREAS, cloth face coverings appear to be the most effective way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when widely used by people in public settings; and
WHEREAS, it is the sense of the City Commission that all citizens, visitors, workers and business owners have a civic duty to safeguard the health of their fellow citizens and to demonstrate personal responsibility by helping slow the spread of COVID-19;
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF BARTOW, FLORIDA:
SECTION 1. Incorporation of Recitals. The foregoing recitals are incorporated herein and are true and correct statements of fact.
SECTION 2. Face Coverings Encouraged to Be Worn Indoors or Outdoors When Social Distancing Cannot Be Maintained. In accordance with the June 22, 2020, FDOH Public Health Advisory, the City of Bartow strongly advises, urges and advocates that those persons who work, live, visit or do business in the City’s municipal limits to wear a face covering, both indoors and outdoors, when unable to maintain proper social distancing.
SECTION 3. Social Distancing and OSHA Protocols. The City of Bartow strongly encourages all persons who work, live, visit or do business within the City’s municipal limits to protect each other’s health by strictly adhering to appropriate social distancing and safety protocols published by the CDC and OSHA.
SECTION 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall be effective as of the date of adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BARTOW THIS 8th DAY OF JULY, 2020.
ATTEST: CITY OF BARTOW:
/s/ City Clerk Jacqueline Poole /s/ Mayor Scott Sjoblom
(city seal)
Approved as to correctness and form: Approved as to substance:
/s/ City Attorney Sean R. Parker /s/ City Manager George A. Long
