With the number of COVID-19 infections surging and testing data still lagging, on Tuesday state Senator José Javier Rodríguez (D-Miami) renewed a request to Governor Ron DeSantis for a temporary stay-home order and an order temporarily closing non-essential businesses if not statewide then at least in outbreak zones like Miami-Dade and Broward. Sen. Rodríguez stated:
Data from around the world confirms what experts say is the quickest way to ‘flatten the curve’: shelter in place orders. At a critical time in the spread of the coronavirus in Florida, public health and the public interest require executive action — if not statewide then at least in outbreak zones like Miami-Dade and Broward – via a temporary stay-home order and temporarily closing non-essential businesses.
Strong measures taken now to reduce the rate of transmission will prevent a catastrophic breakdown of our healthcare system and save lives. We will not be able to blame New Yorkers for lives we could have saved by acting now. It is a fantasy that what is occurring in Italy and Spain could not soon occur here without immediate action.
In addition, I ask Governor DeSantis to shy away from the same harmful and false rhetoric pitting public health against Floridian’s economic futures that President Trump has started to use. Without strong measures preventing the virus’ spread, economic impacts will be just as great or greater but with a growing number of lives lost and shattering impacts to our healthcare system.
Miami-Dade County has seen one of the highest infection rates in Florida, which is expected to continue. With Miami-Dade County’s Mayor also refusing to act on a shelter in place order, cities are now acting on their own, creating confusion and a lack of uniformity.
