Florida Democrats, Deutch push for statewide mask mandate

In light of President Donald Trump (R), members of his cabinet and some Republican Senators testing positive for COVID-19, Florida lawmakers are now in contention as to whether or not there should be a mask mandate for the country at a time when several states are looking to fully reopen their economies.

In response to the COVID-19 diagnosis announcements made after the first presidential election, Florida Rep. Ted Deutch (D) took to Twitter to voice a warning to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), arguing that “the number of cases from the WH Barrett event show importance of following CDC guidance.”

“Large gatherings w/few masks make it near impossible to contact trace,” he added, warning that the Florida Governor “should issue a statewide mask order & let counties enforce safety rules to prevent the spread.”

Recently, the Florida Governor not only announced that the state would be completely reopening by heading into phase 3, but Governor Ron DeSantis (R) also announced that the restrictions and limitations on wearing a mask would also be lifted, so Florida residents would no longer be cited for not wearing masks.

Although Rep. Deutch is calling for a statewide mask mandate, lawmakers like Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) disagree with the notion.

On a recent appearance on FOX News, during an interview with Tucker Carlson, the Florida lawmaker argued that “the answer to COVID is not to shut down, hide under the bed, and just hope the virus won’t ever find us.” Instead,  Gaetz expressed that “we should live our lives, protect the vulnerable, and recognize the critical importance of making progress on therapeutics to become more survivable against COVID-19.”

Floridians have begun to reintegrate back into society since the Governor lifted the restrictions on businesses, so there's no telling what response would come about some restrictions being place again or the reinstitution of a mask mandate.