CAPE CORAL, Fla -- Thursday morning, the City of Fort Myers will hold a special meeting to discuss a possible mask mandate. This comes just hours after the City of Punta Gorda decided to pass a similar ordinance.
Over the past few weeks, we've watched the controversy over mask mandates heat up in cities across Southwest Florida. Governor DeSantis has decided not to issue a statewide mandate, and so the pressure has been on for local municipalities to decide what to do.
The Punta Gorda mandate is officially in effect, after council members voted unanimously. The latest state report shows the city has reported 329 cases.
The city's mandate will last up to 90 days.
Other areas, like Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel have also voted to mandate wearing a mask.
Now Thursday, the attention will turn to the Fort Myers. The special meeting comes just hours after Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman shared he's tested positive for COVID-19.
"I want this to be a lesson to you. Let it be a warning to you, that anyone can catch this and anyone can spread this," said Hamman.
Hamman said he's been following CDC guidelines on social distancing and wearing a mask in public. Last week, he spoke out against issuing a mask mandate for Lee County.
He's asking people to instead implement their own personal mandate to protect themselves and others.
The City of Fort Myers meeting is set for 9:00 a.m.
