DeSantis to lift ban on elective medical procedures

With the number of COVID-19 cases in Florida continuing to decrease, Gov. Ron DeSantis and his Re-Open Florida Task Forces continue to strategize on which sectors of the state economy to reopen first, and it appears as if the medical community will be first in line.

During a press conference at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston Florida this past weekend, Gov. DeSantis updated reporters on his administration's response to the disease that has all but completely shut down the U.S. economy.

DeSantis said that he and his Task Force would be meeting over the weekend to discuss when to allow healthcare professionals to resume elective medical procedures like outpatient screenings and surgeries.

“I think certainly we are going to need to do that,” said DeSantis “These elective procedures really do affect patients health, you are talking about screenings, you are talking about things that are really important.”

He's right, these procedures are extremely important. We spoke to a veteran this week who says he's been forced to wait at home in excruciating back pain until officials lift the temporary ban on elective surgeries. Another woman told The Floridian that her shoulder replacement surgery was postponed because of the restriction.

DeSantis reiterated that allowing for elective medical procedures is on the top of his list of things-to-do, saying that he would first need to speak to advisors before making a final decision, adding that he believes "it has do be done."

“The fact that we have availability and can accommodate it, I think we do need move in that direction,” added DeSantis So, we’ll be announcing I think pretty shortly.

Floridians stuck at home watching Netflix and Amazon Prime, who are hoping to be able to get out and watch a movie at their nearest theatre will have to wait a bit longer.

DeSantis said that he was “not there yet” when it came to reopening movie theatres.