- Gov Ron DeSantis hit out at those who criticized his no-restriction approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, defiantly telling them: ‘Florida got it right’
- The state hasn’t had any statewide restrictions for six months after DeSantis allowed businesses, including bars and restaurants, to open at full capacity
- He also prohibited municipalities from fining people who refuse to wear masks
- His approach was criticized at the time by some health experts and the governors of Democratic states, such as California and New York
- Despite starkly differing approaches, Florida and California have both experienced almost identical outcomes in COVID-19 case rates
- Florida’s response to the pandemic has meant its economy has been booming
Florida has had roughly 3 percent more COVID-19 cases per capita than the US total but 8 percent less deaths.
While research has found that mask mandates and limits on group activities can help slow the spread of COVID-19, states with greater government-imposed restrictions, such as California, have not always fared better than those without them.
Florida’s response to the pandemic has meant its economy has been booming.