In recent weeks, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has highlighted the Sunshine State’s partnership with various companies like Publix and Wal-Mart in order to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to residents. As more vaccines become readily available to older residents, the state is also experiencing declining COVID-19 cases after a number of weeks of an alarming rise across the state.
According to new research regarding the pandemic’s effects in Florida, the number of new cases and the number of deaths have drastically decreased, and both Democrats and Republicans are championing the decline.
#COVID cases are dropping, but with several highly contagious strains spreading, it's still too early to let your guard down. We need to keep up with masks and social distancing until we reach a critical mass of vaccinations.https://t.co/kKUfNcZ6Az
— Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets) February 18, 2021
Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D), who has criticized Governor DeSantis’ response to the pandemic, commented that “COVID cases are dropping, but with several highly contagious strains spreading, it’s still too early to let your guard down.” She added that Florida still needs to “keep up with masks and social distancing until we reach a critical mass of vaccinations.”
The decline in cases comes at a time when states like New York and California are embroiled in controversy over their respective COVID-19 responses.
The state of New York faced a crushing blow last week when New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D) joined a number of New York Democrats in calling for an investigation into Governor Cuomo’s nursing home scandal.
In a statement, Ocasio Cortez expressed that “thousands of vulnerable New Yorkers lost their lives in nursing homes throughout the pandemic,” noting that “their loved ones and the public deserve answers and transparency from their elected leadership, and the Secretary to the Governor’s remarks warrant a full investigation.”
With the upcoming 2022 midterm election, Governor DeSantis has faced criticism from a number of likely challengers that will make a gubernatorial run. This includes prominent Democrats in Florida like Florida Rep. Anna V. Eskamani and former Florida Governor Charlie Crist.
