• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices

Taryn Fenske

Mask ruling has no immediate impact in Pasco schools

August 31, 2021 By B.C. Manion

Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper has deemed unconstitutional the state’s order to ban local school districts from imposing mandatory facemasks.

Cooper explained his decision in a two-hour announcement from the bench on Aug. 27.

Cooper ruled that school districts can impose mandatory mask mandates, and if challenged, must be granted due process to demonstrate their mask requirement is reasonable.

Taryn Fenske, communications director for Gov. Ron DeSantis, issued this reaction to the ruling: “It’s not surprising that Judge Cooper would rule against parent’s rights and their ability to make the best educational and medical decisions for their family, but instead rule in favor of elected politicians.

“This ruling was made with incoherent justifications, not based in science and facts – frankly not even remotely focused on the merits of the case presented. We are used to the Leon County Circuit Court not following the law and getting reversed on appeal, which is exactly what happened last year in the school reopening case. We will continue to defend the law and parent’s rights in Florida, and will immediately appeal the ruling to the First District Court of Appeals, where we are confident we will prevail on the merits of the case.”

Locally, Judge Cooper’s ruling will have no immediate impact in the Hillsborough or Pasco public school districts.

Hillsborough already has adopted a temporary facemask mandate in its schools which remains in effect through Sept. 17.

The Hillsborough board took that action, despite the governor’s executive order, and subsequent actions taken by the Florida Board of Education and the Florida Department of Education.

DeSantis has stood firm in his position that parents — not local school boards — have the authority to determine whether a student wears a mask in school.

Hillsborough school board members took emergency action to impose a temporary mandatory mask order, with a medical opt-out provision.

In doing so, they joined a number of school districts that defied that order and faced potential financial sanctions.

Cooper enjoined the state from imposing those penalties.

Shortly after Cooper’s ruling, Pasco County Schools issued this statement: “We are aware that Leon County Circuit Judge John C. Cooper has determined that Governor DeSantis’ order banning mask mandates is unconstitutional. At this time the ruling has no impact on Pasco County Schools’ mask-optional policy.

“The Governor’s order remains in effect until the final order is submitted. At that time, the Governor is expected to appeal the decision.

“To summarize: Today’s ruling has no immediate impact on Pasco County Schools. Masks remain optional for students and staff.”

So far this school year, Pasco County Schools has had a combined total of 2,481 student and staff cases, as of the evening of Aug. 27.

As of the same date, that figure stood at a combined total of 5,500 for students and staff in Hillsborough County Schools.

In other pandemic news, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted full approval on Aug. 23 of the Pfizer vaccine for those age 16 and older. The vaccine has emergency use authorization for those age 12 and older.

Experts have said the FDA’s approval could encourage people with vaccine hesitancy to go ahead and get vaccinated.

The pronouncement also could prompt more employers to require employees to get vaccinated.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has announced that city employees have until Sept. 30 to become vaccinated. Those who do not will need to wear an N95 mask and show weekly results from a COVID test.

Pasco County has decided to use a different approach. It is offering $500 in premium pay to every employee who becomes fully vaccinated by Nov. 1.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend that everyone age 12 and older get vaccinated to lessen the chance of becoming infected. While people may become infected, medical experts and scientists have said they are at much lesser risk of hospitalization or death.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 transmission rate remains high in Florida. Experts attribute that to the infectious delta variant of the disease, which they say is highly contagious.

In the week between Aug. 20 to Aug. 26, Florida recorded 151,749 new COVID-19 cases, with a positivity rate of 16.8%, according to the Florida Department of Health’s website.

Pasco County had 4,433 new cases, with a positivity rate of 21.2%.

Hillsborough County had 11,800 new cases, with a positivity rate of 18.9%.

AdventHealth West Florida Division continues to see an increase in COVID-19 cases at its facilities across West Florida and continues to experience a peak of COVID-19 patients, according to an Aug. 27 news release. To date, more than 600 COVID-positive patients are currently hospitalized in the West Florida Division’s 10 hospitals.

AdventHealth Carrollwood, AdventHealth Dade City, AdventHealth North Pinellas, AdventHealth Sebring, AdventHealth Zephyrhills have paused all non-time sensitive and non-emergent procedures.

The hospital chain also has limited visitors at numerous locations, including these in and near The Laker/Lutz coverage area: Dade City, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Tampa and Carrollwood. Specifics are available by visiting each hospital’s website.

In other COVID-19 related news, Hillsborough County has issued a news release to inform its water customers that they may notice a temporary change in the taste and odor of their drinking water.

Tampa Bay Water temporarily changed its water treatment process beginning Aug. 26 at its Lithia Hydrogen Sulfide Removal Facility, due to a lack of liquid oxygen deliveries to the facility.

Water provided to Hillsborough County Public Utilities customers will continue to meet all local, state, and federal regulations for drinking water, the news release said.

While consumers may notice a change in taste and odor, the treatment change will not alter the quality of the drinking water, according to the news release.

There is a delivery driver shortage caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and the need for available supplies to be diverted to local hospitals, the release explained.

“In addition, Tampa Bay Water is adjusting the regional blend of water sources to accommodate the change in available deliveries of liquid oxygen in the taste and odor,” the release said.

COVID Statistics: Week of Aug. 20 to Aug. 26

Florida
New cases: 151,749
Positivity: 16.8%

Pasco County
New cases: 4,433
Positivity rate: 21.2%

Hillsborough County
New cases: 11,800
Positivity rate: 18.9%

School cases
Cumulative cases, 2021-2022 school year*

Pasco County  Schools
2,350 student cases; 491 staff cases

Hillsborough County
4,563 student cases; 947 staff cases

*As of the evening of Aug. 27

Published September 01, 2021

Primary Sidebar

A Conversation with Lutz Filmmaker, Alexis Yahre

Search

Sponsored Content

Avalon Applauds Kids Helping Kids Pasco County 

May 10, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Congratulations to Kids Helping Kids Pasco County for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. The nonprofit … [Read More...] about Avalon Applauds Kids Helping Kids Pasco County 

Dynamic Duo Transforms Wedding Events

May 3, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

From diverse family backgrounds rooted in Vietnam and Puerto Rico, Bich (pronounced Bic) Le and Sandy Baez run … [Read More...] about Dynamic Duo Transforms Wedding Events

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

05/20/2022 – In-person service

Congregation Beth Chavarim will celebrate its first in-person service since the pandemic, with the Jewish religious holiday of Lag BaOmar, on May 20. For more information, email . … [Read More...] about 05/20/2022 – In-person service

05/21/2022 – Folk Art Festival

Carrollwood Village will host a Food & Folk Art Festival on May 21 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road in Tampa. The outdoor event will feature food trucks, storytelling and puppetry with Windell Campbell (11 a.m.), a folk dance performance with Grupo Folkloric Mahetzi (noon), and live music with Liam Bauman (1:15 p.m.), Rebekah Pulley (2:45 p.m.), His Hem (4:15 p.m.) and Ari Chi (5:45 p.m.) Guests can bring lawn chairs and sun umbrellas. Artisan vendors will be available, and guests will be invited to participate in a community art project. Admission is free. For information, visit CarrollwoodCenter.org. … [Read More...] about 05/21/2022 – Folk Art Festival

05/21/2022 – Founders Day Festival

Main Street Zephyrhills will present the annual Founders Day Festival on May 21 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The “From Founders to Future” event will feature a parade (7 p.m.) and contest, food, kids zone, vendors, a historic ghost tour, and entertainment. Guests can dress in any decade from the 1880s to futuristic concepts, as the festival pays homage to the people who built the town, through the years. For information, visit MainStreetZephyrhills.org. … [Read More...] about 05/21/2022 – Founders Day Festival

05/21/2022 – Free vaccines/microchips

Pasco County Animal Services will team up with Petco Love for a free, drive-thru vaccine and microchip event on May 21 from 9 a.m. to noon, at Lokey Subaru of Port Richey, 11613 U.S. 19. Participants can bring up to three pets per family. Dogs must be leashed and cats must remain in carriers, while everyone stays in the vehicle. Those participating should check their pets’ vet record to determine what services are needed. Rabies vaccines require the pet owner to purchase a county pet license. Space is limited, so advance registration is required, online at bit.ly/3OrUR1h. … [Read More...] about 05/21/2022 – Free vaccines/microchips

05/21/2022 – Garden Club

The New River Garden Club will meet on May 21 at 10:30 a.m., at the New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel. The meeting will be followed by an outdoor garden presentation on mosquito control. A separate registration is required for the meeting and the presentation, online at PascoLibraries.org. For information, call 813-788-6375. … [Read More...] about 05/21/2022 – Garden Club

05/21/2022 – Train show & sale

Regal Railways will host a Toy Train, Toy Show & Sale on May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Hernando Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St., in Brooksville. There will be more than 60 vendors, along with model trains, toys, die cast cars and more. There also will be a running train layout. Admission is $5 for adults. Kids ages 12 and younger are free. Guests can prepay at RegalRailways.com. … [Read More...] about 05/21/2022 – Train show & sale

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz NewsFollow

Home for all your local news in Land O' Lakes, Lutz, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

The Laker/Lutz News
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
3h

MORATORIUM UPDATE: Pasco County halted new applications for multifamily development for a year in a portion of Central Pasco https://buff.ly/3G0cD7G

Reply on Twitter 1527650634412990465Retweet on Twitter 1527650634412990465Like on Twitter 1527650634412990465Twitter 1527650634412990465
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
21h

Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed into law House Bill 7071, which provides more than $1.2 billion in tax relief for Floridians through 10 tax holidays. Check out the dates here: https://buff.ly/380weby

Reply on Twitter 1527378674747527168Retweet on Twitter 1527378674747527168Like on Twitter 1527378674747527168Twitter 1527378674747527168
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
24h

Dedicated to her students 🍎 Ms. Staney retires for a second time, this time at 75. Sand Pine Elementary second-grade teacher Corey Staney, 75, has been an educator for 53 years. Full story ---> https://buff.ly/3MtQUaU

2
Reply on Twitter 1527333429796167709Retweet on Twitter 15273334297961677091Like on Twitter 1527333429796167709Twitter 1527333429796167709
Load More...

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2022 Community News Publications Inc.

    Doc