Articles

Lawmakers push DeSantis again for stay-at-home order for Florida

CBS12 / Gary Detman / April 1, 2020

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Congressional leaders from Florida pushed Gov. Ron DeSantis for a second time to issue a stay-at-home order as the number of coronavirus cases continues to climb.

Representatives Lois Frankel (FL-21), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Charlie Crist (FL-13), Val B. Demings (FL-10), Ted Deutch (FL-22), Alcee Hastings (FL-20), Al Lawson, Jr. (FL-5), Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26), Stephanie Murphy (FL-7), Donna Shalala (FL-27), Darren Soto (FL-9), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24) all sent a letter to the governor, asking for the directive.

"The coronavirus is going to hit every nook and cranny of America. All you need is one funeral or large family dinner and a small community can be infected in a few days. With no vaccine or cure there is no time to waste, a statewide stay-at-home order is necessary to save lives and keep our healthcare system from being overwhelmed," said Rep. Frankel.

In the first week of March when Florida saw its first two cases, DeSantis said Florida would see more cases of coronavirus, but called the risk low.

A week ago, DeSantis said a statewide mandate wouldn't be advisable.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the number of coronavirus cases in Florida topped 6300 with 77 deaths.