With COVID-19 cases continuing to skyrocket in the sunshine state, Florida Democrats are slamming the Republican leadership for failing to implement a mask mandate.
“Florida is dangerously off-track in containing the deadly coronavirus,” said Florida Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D) in a new advertisement that features other Democratic lawmakers sharing their views on how the pandemic has been mishandled in the sunshine state. Also featured in the advertisement are Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Darren Soto, Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel, Donna Shalala, Stephanie Murphy and Val Demings, who is shortlisted as a possible VP candidate for former Vice President Joe Biden.
Floridians socially distanced before it was required. Those actions saved lives.
Now, even though it's not yet required, please wear a mask. It will save lives, including possibly your own. #MaskUp https://t.co/kr16JouaNE
— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) August 10, 2020
In the video, the lawmakers discussed the threat that COVID-19 poses, arguing that Gov. DeSantis (R) refuses to make masks mandatory in Florida” as Rep. Murphy called for.
“If the Governor refuses to keep Florida safe,” admitted Rep. Wasserman Schultz, then “every one of us needs to act to protect ourselves and our neighbors,” stressed Rep. Demings.
Rep. Mucarsel-Powell took to Twitter to add more to the conversation, adding that “Florida desperately needs leadership to get this under control; older Floridians, students & our community deserve better.”
She added, “we need a comprehensive testing & tracing plan, and to put in place the precautions that will slow this down.”
And still no statewide mask order...
Florida desperately needs leadership to get this under control; older Floridians, students & our community deserve better.
We need a comprehensive testing & tracing plan, and to put in place the precautions that will slow this down. https://t.co/g66e01q9HD
— Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (@RepDMP) August 10, 2020
Rep. Demings initially shared the video of the lawmakers discussing the use of a mask. Along with the video, she shared some of her thoughts as well, noting that "Floridians socially distanced before ti was required. Those actions saved. lives."
In turn, "even though it's not yet required, please wear a mask" because "it will save lives, including possibly your own."
