Florida has over 25,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and yet the state's Governor has opted to allow beaches to reopen. Even as lawmakers across USA contemplate on lifting restrictions, this is a bit of a bold step given the circumstances.?
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that beaches could open on April 17 if safety was maintained. People were seen flocking to the beach which begs the question, is it right to allow large gatherings of people while fighting a virus which spreads through socialising? It might just be a recipe for disaster.?
Activities have been limited though as lounging and sunbathing is not allowed.?
"No chairs, coolers, sunbathing, or towels/blankets laid out to sit on," read a tweet from the City of Jacksonville's official account.?
Florida has not handled the pandemic well and DeSantis has drawn flak from many quarters. He had said pro-wrestling was an 'essential service' and opted not to stop it. In fact he did not want to close beaches in the first place. Now he has reopened them.?
According to the New York Times, people returning from Florida had spread the virus in other states.?
The day the decision came, Florida saw 1400 new cases. As per John Hopkins University's study, over 700 people have succumbed to the disease in the state.?
Now many locals have jumped at the chance to return to the beaches. But it has raised alarm in some quarters. After all this could undo any preventive measures taken to combat the virus.?
"This is really a crazy bad idea," Deborah Melvin told First Coast News, saying she knew people who had died from COVID-19.?
"IĄŻm afraid," she added.?
"IĄŻm afraid for myself. IĄŻm afraid for my family," she went on to say.?
USA overall has recorded more than 40,000 deaths with more than 760,000 people affected. Worldwide the death toll is above 165,000 and over 2400,000 are affected. ??