Government, International

Sarasota, FL lifts mandatory masking, claims masks are “burdensome” for citizens and city

Sarasota, Florida, lifted its mandatory masking policy against advice from health experts. Commissioners stated that face coverings were too "burdensome" for citizens and businesses, and the city could not penalize everyone who breached the rule.

By Vicki A. Lee

February 22, 2021
at 3:34 PM

The city of Sarasota, Florida, has rescinded its mandatory masking ordinance against public health experts’ advice. Sarasota’s commissioners claimed that face coverings were too “burdensome” for residents and businesses alike, and the city could not penalize every citizen who defied the rule.

“This was one of those ordinances that was done as a public spectacle,” Vice Mayor Erik Arroyo said, Herald-Tribune reported. “People don’t really respect us as a commission for us trying to regulate every single little thing. It might make us feel good about passing it, but it just doesn’t work, and I think we need to stop this now.”

ORIGINAL SOURCE

Massive ship freed, Egypt’s Suez Canal reopens after 6 days

Anastasia Andric April 3, 2021

This human-made canal is a crucial transportation link between Asia and Europe, and this short halt in movement caused billions of dollars of damage

US, China agree to cooperate on climate crisis with urgency

Associated Press April 19, 2021

By HYUNG-JIN KIM SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The United States and China, the world’s two biggest carbon polluters, agreed to cooperate to curb climate

Thousands joined historical World Wide Rally for Freedom against government restrictions in Toronto

Natalia Yuri March 20, 2021

Toronto united on March 20 to ‘Just Say No’ to masks, experimental vaccines and lockdowns

Vicki A. Lee

Vicki is a staff writer, anchor, and field reporter covering Culture and Lifestyle. She is interested in literature, design, film, and social justice. Vicki is a staunch proponent of the transformative power of art — as a reflection of our common humanity and as a vehicle to effect sociopolitical reform. She lives in Toronto but often daydreams of being elsewhere, which is why she's always jogging. Read her daily updates here @vickiangelalee.