Florida knew a COVID-19 pandemic was likely. State leaders didn't warn the public.

[Mike 03]

Miami Herald
BY SARAH BLASKEY AND NICHOLAS NEHAMAS
MAY 20, 2020 04:39 PM , UPDATED 8 MINUTES AGO

Three months ago, Floridians were celebrating Valentine’s Day unaware that the novel coronavirus posed any real threat to their lives, or that it was likely already spreading through the state. No one had told them to be worried.

While the public was kept in the dark, top Florida health officials were scrambling to come up with a plan for a crisis they knew was upon them, according to internal Florida Department of Health data and communications obtained by the Miami Herald. The records show that on Feb. 13 DOH assembled an emergency response team. The team’s mission: “Contain the spread of the virus.” It also began preparing for N95 mask shortages and privately providing pandemic protocols to long-term care facilities, warning them about the risks the virus posed to elderly residents.

By mid-February, Raul Pino, the recently appointed director of the Department of Health’s office in Orange County, was growing concerned about COVID-19 overwhelming his resources. The department was stretched thin as it tried to comply with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to monitor people who may have been exposed to the virus.

“At this point we are following 67 individuals and we must establish contact within 24 hours,” Pino wrote in a Feb. 15 email to an official at the Florida Department of Health in Tallahassee. “We can manage as we are — and I am moving additional resources — but, if the volume continues to increase, we may face some resistance.”

Read more: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/health-care/article242844471.html

More stellar reporting from the great Miami Herald.

[Mike 03]

1. It's always the same story:

“From the beginning, the DeSantis administration, including the DOH, appeared to approach this pandemic from the perspective of managing their image and managing the crisis from a public relations standpoint, and not from a public health standpoint,” he said. “They seem to be playing games with public records.”

[sheshe2]

2. This is all on DeSantis.

He knew and ignored it. He made it worse and continues to under report cases and the dead.

[bluecollar2]

3. The Miami Herald may be the only functional organisation in Miami-Dade county

I have yet to experience any other organisation here that isn't inept, incompetent or corrupt.

This place makes Texas look positively angelic.

[SWBTATTReg]

4. I know that some of the public in FL would have listened but I suspect a lot of them in ...

FL, being rump supporters would have never listened anyways. Now that the CV epidemic is in process of pounding the state's residents, perhaps this is the first wave of blaming others now? I fear that this will hammer the state's resources far more than they anticipate. Most of my friends are already hunkered down and have been for some time.

The rest of them were acting like nothing was happening, e.g., beach openings, etc.

Now the bill for their irresponsible actions has come due. They'll be paying the price unfortunately for some time to come I fear.

[jimfields33]

5. The story on New York will be fascinating I am sure.

I hate the Florida bashing constantly. I’d bet many states wish they were Florida.

[dhill926]

6. ???

[Initech]

7. This is why elections matter!!

Doesn't matter who you are voting for, make the right decision. Because otherwise, disaster looms around the corner, every time.