DUNEDIN, Fla. — One Bay area church is encouraging people to keep wearing masks despite CDC's new guidelines. 

“We don’t want there to be a division, you know,” said Father Gary Dowsey, pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes in Dunedin.

What You Need To Know

  • Our Lady of Lourdes in Dunedin is asking people to continue wearing masks for the time being

  • Under new CDC guideline, fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks indoors

  • Under Gov. DeSantis' executive order, all COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, including mask mandates

  • More coronavirus news

But Father Gary says this is tough.

“We’re not going to make a fuss if people come to mass now without masks, but we do feel by July 1st more people have been vaccinated, and therefore there will be less of us and them, those who are, those who aren’t,” said Father Gary.

There may be less of it, but according to Dr. Jay Wolfson, the associate dean at Morsani College of Medicine at USF, they’ll never have the concrete evidence.

“Proving of the vaccine is a tough one because unlike asking somebody to wear a mask, you’re now asking somebody to divulge what’s called personal health information, which is protected,” said Dr. Wolfson.

So basically, businesses have no right to ask that question, and here in Florida, they have no right to enforce any kind of mask mandate.

They are bound by Governor Ron DeSantis' executive order last week to lift all COVID-19 restrictions, including the mask mandate. 

However, Dr. Wolfson said they can offer some incentive, so long as no one is denied access, which can be considered discrimination.

“What they can do is say, ‘We’re going to have special seating for people who have been vaccinated. Everybody else can come but they’re going to sit in a different place. And if you want the special privilege, then you provide us with some evidence.’ We’re not denying anybody anything, we’re simply like giving people donuts if they get the vaccine,” said Dr. Wolfson.

What it will come down to, essentially, is trusting that people are telling the truth about their vaccination status, which Father Gary has already come to accept.

“Faith is trust, so we’re just going to trust people’s common sense,” said Father Gary.

The CDC recommendation does not apply to health care facilities or travel— so if you’re getting on a plane, train, or public transpiration, make sure to have your mask with you, even if you are fully vaccinated.