Statements
Statement from Florida Democratic Party Spokesperson Jose Dante Parra on the Alarming Increase of New COVID-19 Cases in the State
Florida’s rate of new COVID-19 infections has climbed sharply over the past two weeks. Its seven day average of cases is now the highest in the nation. Hospitals across the state are adjusting their visitation protocols and rescheduling elective surgeries due to the dangerous and accelerating influx of cases.
In reaction to these developments Florida Democratic Party Senior Communications Advisor Jose Dante Parra issued the following statement:
“Yesterday Florida reported 12,647 new COVID-19 cases according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s 23% of all nationwide cases for the day. This is the highest daily figure since January of this year, the month that saw the highest number of infections in Florida since the pandemic began. Vaccination rates have us around the middle of the pack among states and hospitals are straining to keep up with the surge of coronavirus patients.
“The question is, what is Governor DeSantis doing about it? He’s playing politics, of course. When he’s not playing jetsetter, traveling around the country hobnobbing with wealthy donors, he’s cravenly plotting his every move as he pursues his run for president. Last weekend, while cases spiked, he traveled to Texas to visit the border in an attempt to burnish his credentials for a possible 2024 run.
“He continues to fight in court to prevent cruise ships from having to abide by CDC regulations that would help keep their passengers safe. Just yesterday he adamantly rejected the possibility of requiring masks at schools in the Fall. Nobody wants mask mandates, but should we be taking anything off the table at a time when Florida is leading the nation in new COVID-19 cases? DeSantis is putting politics over people’s health, and it’s the height of irresponsibility.”