With the number of Covid-19 infections surging and testing data still lagging, state Senator Gary Farmer (D-Lighthouse Point) on Monday called on Governor Ron DeSantis to close non-essential businesses and issue a stay home order to protect the people of Florida.
“As we’ve seen, the steps taken by state officials so far have not stemmed the infection rate of this deadly virus,” said Senator Farmer. “With current observations that this disease is accelerating, afflicting both young and old, the only prudent action left to us is to close off its avenue of transmission. Issuing a statewide shutdown of non-essential businesses and a stay-at-home order not only will save countless lives, but save our economy. The quicker we act now, the quicker our recovery. Dozens of local governments have issued such orders, but without a state wide shutdown the virus will be allowed to continue to spread.”
Senator Farmer’s call echoes others made by prominent Democrats in Florida, including Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who first called on the governor to issue a statewide “stay-at-home” order last week.
Thus far, the Governor has chosen to take a piecemeal approach, leaving vulnerable large swaths of Florida’s population to the spread of the disease as seemingly healthy individuals who may be unaware they are even carrying the virus continue to move freely about the state.
Broward County has seen its number jump to 1152 cases as of this morning.
