DeSantis Says Statistics Vindicate His Decision To Reopen State

FLORIDA — Underscoring his assertion that he made the right call when he reopened Florida businesses in September over the objections of national health experts, Gov. Ron DeSantis appeared sans mask with crowds at Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Friday.

Not only has Florida's coronavirus positivity rate gone down, DeSantis said his decision to reopen the economy has dramatically reduced the state's unemployment rate, currently 4.8 percent, below the national average of 6.3 percent.

Dane Eagle, executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, credited DeSantis's policies for getting Floridians back to work.

“Florida’s economy remains resilient under Gov. DeSantis’ leadership as we continue to see sustained month-over-month job growth,” Eagle said Monday. “Gov. DeSantis has kept our state open for business, and I am proud of the work we have done to ensure Floridians continue to return to the workforce.”

Eagle said Florida has experienced nine consecutive months of month-over-month job growth, gaining 1,700 private-sector jobs in January alone.

During a news conference on Sunday, the day before he lowered eligibility for the coronavirus vaccine to 60 years old, DeSantis said announced that three million seniors age 65 and up have received vaccine shots, representing 61 percent of all seniors living in Florida. He said Florida has the highest number of seniors vaccinated in the country.

At this rate, DeSantis said the state will be able to open vaccinations up to those age 55 and up later than month followed by all adults in the state some time in April.

He noted that there are now more than 1,000 vaccination sites throughout Florida including clinics operated by the state, by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and counties as well as retail pharmacies at CVS, Walgreens, Public, Winn-Dixie and Walmart.

DeSantis's celebratory tone didn't sit well with some national health officials who say it's too soon to forsake masks, particularly with droves of students and families headed to Florida for spring break.

On Friday, more than 1.3 million people in the U.S. traveled by air, the highest number of travelers seen at U.S. airports since the World Health Organization declared the pandemic a year ago.

That worries Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky.

Despite the optimism that's ensued the arrival of the coronavirus vaccines, she said there's a potential for coronavirus resurgences like those experienced in Europe, and it's too soon to forgo masks and social distancing.

"I'm pleading with you for the sake of our nation's health," Walensky said. "These should be warning signs for all of us. Cases climbed last spring, they climbed again in the summer, they will climb now if we stop taking precautions when we continue to get more and more people vaccinated."

After a year of wearing masks, being separated from family members in nursing homes, missing birthdays and holidays together, and canceling gatherings with friends, Walensky said she understands Americans are anxious to get back to normal.

That day is coming, she said. Last week, the CDC released its first evidence-based guidance for fully vaccinated people that will allow Americans to resume their lives.

Nevertheless, she urged against Americans going from one extreme to the other.

"While we accumulate more evidence to support the safe return to everyday activities, please continue taking precautions in public and when around people who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 disease," she said. "Whether you are already vaccinated or not yet vaccinated, wear a well-fitted mask, practice physical distancing, wash your hands often, avoid medium and large gatherings, and avoid travel."

As of Sunday, Florida continues to see a decrease in the number of positive cases of the coronavirus.

Out of 46,871 test results received by the Florida Department of Health Sunday, 43,999 were negative.

The DOH reported 2,872 people tested positive on Sunday, down from 3,791 Saturday and 5,130 Friday.

The state reported one coronavirus-related death on both Saturday and Sunday and two on Friday.

Since the pandemic was declared a year ago, 1,943,135 residents have tested positive for the coronavirus with 82,307 hospitalized and 32,348 deaths.

See related stories:

• FL To Lower Vaccine Eligibility Age To 60 Years Old March 15
• Florida Governor Hopes To Open Up Vaccines To All Adults In April
• More Contagious COVID-19 Variant Surges Ahead Of FL Spring Break
• DeSantis Cancels All COVID-19 Fines Issued By Local Governments
• Governor Announces Expansion Of Walgreens Vaccination Sites