Florida braces for potential Coronavirus outbreak

The rapidly spreading Coronavirus has world leaders on edge, and while the disease has begun to sprinkle int0 the U.S., it could make a major impact if it isn’t controlled.

Ahead of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) Coronavirus update press conference in Miami on Monday, Senator Marco Rubio (R) released a Twitter video he taped in his home study warning that the virus will impact Florida.

"I think the fact that we now see it in Brazil, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and I suspect other countries in the hemisphere if not today fairly soon also almost guarantees it’s going to enter Florida,” says Rubio.

 Gov. DeSantis announced that two Floridians have been infected by the virus, one in Manatee County and the other in Hillsborough County, and says he anticipates that “more will test positive” in the coming days and weeks.

Both of the cases are in the congressional district of Rep. Vern Buchanan (R), who has already briefed President Trump on the cases, saying that “speed” was “critical to containing the threat.”

At the federal level, President Donald Trump said it’s  ‘all hands on deck’ to combat the spreading virus and tapped Vice President Mike Pence to oversee the Coronavirus Task Forcc.

In speaking to Gov. DeSantis, Vice President Pence assured the first-term governor that Florida would be receiving federal aid, if and when the virus became an issue.

“The vice president assured us that we would have their full support,” DeSantis said on Monday.

According to Florida’s Department of Health, some 23 people have been tested for the virus, of which 15 tests came back negative and the rest are still pending.

Florida’s congressional delegation has also been sounding the alarm of the coming virus, including Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D) who is pushing for legislation that would specifically fund Coronavirus,

“With the first two cases of coronavirus in Florida announced this weekend, it is more important than ever that our community hope for the best, and prepare for the worst,” said Mucarsel-Powell “ While there are currently no signs of widespread infections, the health and safety of Floridians continues to be my number one priority.”

Rep. Ted Deutch (D) echoed the recommendation of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) about how to prevent yourself from contracting an illness, or if you are already sick, limit your exposure to others.