Fourth District Court of Appeal Judge Alan Forst wrote the ruling. Courtesy photo.
A COVID-19 ordinance that has mandated face coverings in all Palm Beach County businesses and public places since June 2020 survived a legal challenge Wednesday before the Fourth District Court of Appeal, which found private rights come second to the public’s right to be protected from a deadly and thus-far incurable virus.
The petitioners — a group of five Palm Beach residents — argued forcing people to cover their noses and mouths violates their constitutional right to refuse medical treatment.
