By Roger Caldwell
As Florida begins to re-open under Governor Ron DeSantis’s plan, there are over 34,000 infected with the virus and over 1,300 have died. It is a sad statement on testing in the state, when only 2% of the state has been tested, and very few trust the data and results. It is shameful in the state that the media were forced to file a lawsuit to release data on covid-19, to get information on nursing homes, and long term care centers.
“Now, our capacity exceeds the demand at testing sites. Our drive-through sites are now open for anyone to get tested,” says Governor Ron DeSantis. This statement is very difficult to accept, when healthcare workers find it hard to get the product they need for testing, and Floridians cannot find face mask to buy for their use.
Based on the data released from John Hopkins Hospital, the numbers keep increasing every day of residents infected with the virus, and our governor is telling us to not be alarmed. He thinks that with more testing, there may be approximately more than 2,000 positive cases from the state in the month of May.
The governor is working with his Florida Reopening Task Force, and on last week they provided his administration with frightening news. Forty percentage (40%) of tourism recreation, retail, real estate, construction, and transportation jobs were at a risk in terms of reopening. It appears that Florida is going to open up even if the numbers are going in the wrong direction, but don’t be alarmed.
It is very difficult to believe and understand why it is so important to open the state on May 4th. Maybe someone else is twisting the governor’s arm, and Florida is getting ready to roll the dice. Governor DeSantis has stated that he will use a measured approach which is driven by data, but that does not appear to be the truth.
Governor DeSantis said Florida would reopen in three phases, in-line with the guidelines released by the White House under President Trump’s reopening America plan. Our governor is telling everyone that the state is ready for phase one, but the data is not something the state can be proud of.
Here’s what changes and doesn’t change for Florida on May 4: 1) Schools continue distance learning, 2) Visits to senior living facilities are prohibited, 3) Elective surgeries can resume, 4) Sports arenas and movie theaters will remain closed, 5) Restaurants may offer outdoor seating with six feet of space between tables and indoor seating at 25% capacity, 6) Retail stores can operate at 25% of indoor capacity, 7) No changes for bars, gyms, and personal services such as hair dressers and barbers, and 8) Vulnerable individuals’ such as individuals with com-promised immunity systems should avoid contact with people outside the home.
Floridians are getting ready to jump, and I have not heard much about testing. But our governor says the state is ready, so there is very little dissention and not much talking in the state.
