The first deaths on the East Coast from COVID-19 happened yesterday in the Sunshine State, according to the Florida Department of Health. One death occurred in Santa Rosa County which along with Okaloosa County are represented by rightwing, science-denying ghoul, Representative Matt Gaetz. The other death recorded in Lee County, just happens to be the vile Senator Rick Scott’s home county.
But alas, virus is not political. In deep blue Broward County, two positive cases were discovered Friday.
.@HealthyFla has announced 3 new presumptive positive Florida #COVID19 cases: 2 in Broward County that are isolated and 1 in Lee County that is deceased. A previously-announced case in Santa Rosa County is also deceased. For #COVID19 updates, visit https://t.co/e1S8bGG26U
— Florida Dept. Health (@HealthyFla) March 7, 2020
From ABC News:
MIAMI -- Florida health officials said late Friday that two people who tested positive for the new coronavirus have died in the state.
The Florida Department of Health said the two people who died were in their 70s and had traveled overseas.
As of Friday, Florida authorities said seven people in the state have tested positive for COVID-19.
One of the new cases was only confirmed after the person had died, according to the statement. The other two cases that were confirmed to have tested positive on Friday were a 65-year-old man and a 75-year-old man, both in Broward County, home to Fort Lauderdale. The state’s health department said both men have been isolated until public health officials clear them.
Officials had previously announced five Florida residents who had been traveling in China have also been quarantined elsewhere after testing positive for the virus.
I pressed Florida's Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees on why his Department of Health out of Sarasota told @abcactionnews the cases of coronavirus in Fl were a "hoax" and "completely false" before backtracking several hours later with a confirmation. Here's what he said: pic.twitter.com/VOlhODVoiY
— Isabel Rosales (@WFTSisabel) March 2, 2020
Calle Ocho Festival, which was sceduled for March 15, attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year to heart of Little Havana. Officials close a stretch of Southwest Eighth Street for music performances, food vendors and other activities.
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez confirmed the announcement at the news conference, telling reporters the city will be denying organizers of the Calle Ocho Festival the special events permit necessary to stage the event.
Attorney Jorge Fernandez, of the Kiwanis Club of Miami, told reporters that the event will likely not be postponed for later this year because of major logistical challenges. The festival raises money for social programs that the Kiwanis Club sponsors, so the cancellation will leave a gap in funding, according to Fernandez.
BREAKING: Miami elected officials and administrators are announcing that this year�s Carnaval Miami, the annual Calle Ocho Festival sponsored by Kiwanis of Little Havana, will be canceled over the potential spread of coronavirus. https://t.co/IAHfyC5atz
— Miami Herald (@MiamiHerald) March 6, 2020
Eerily familiar.
Florida's surgeon general doesn't have a public health background. Nor does his chief of staff. And the deputy secretary in charge of the state's 67 county offices is vacant. And the deputy secretary for health just started in November.#coronavirushttps://t.co/VcgF9CMbaj
— Steve Contorno (@scontorno) March 4, 2020
Gaetz initially maintained that he was within his rights to wear the device on the House floor despite the sergeant-at-arms requesting that he remove it in the chamber.
"There are provisions in the House rules that permit medically necessary headgear," Gaetz said after walking off the floor.
Gaetz later acknowledged in a statement to The Hill that "House rules do not explicitly allow medical headgear even at this time of heightened concern," adding, "This is a rule that should be revisited."
BREAKING: Ultra Music Festival Miami Has Officially Been Canceled Due to Coronavirus Fear: https://t.co/7qixX4oY6spic.twitter.com/nLrxqnsqbz
— GDE (@GlobalDanceGDE) March 4, 2020
Florida’s Disney World and other theme parks have not made any cancellation plans to date. Florida is an international tourist destination at this time of year.
Young tourists heading for fun in the sun at Disney World.
YouTube VideoPretty sure this isn�t appropriate Coronavirus behavior. Watch your kids, folks... pic.twitter.com/QwwDFMZrw0
— Rex ChapmanðÂ�Â�Â�ðÂ�Â�¼ (@RexChapman) March 6, 2020