As Florida set a new record for the number of deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday, Senate Democratic Leader Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville) issues the following statement:
“Clearly our state is headed in the wrong direction as COVID-19 numbers indisputably show. It is well past time to “step back to safety” to slow the community spread of the virus, and the resulting death toll in our state.
“As our Caucus has recommended on a county-by-county basis, scientific experts have told us time and time again that a downward trajectory for a minimum of 14-days with a positivity rate of 5 percent or less with robust testing is needed to consider any plans to move between phases to reopen, yet Florida has routinely exceeded that threshold.
“The governor should issue a mandatory, statewide face covering requirement and cease the conflicting messaging of social distancing versus masks. It is not either/or. To bring down the high numbers, the ensuing fatalities, and save the floundering economy, it is both.”
