Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden criticized Governor Ron DeSantis’ response to the coronavirus outbreak in Florida.
In a statement Wednesday, Biden urged DeSantis to rely on “experts” to help him determine if Florida should go under a statewide stay-at-home order – something DeSantis has yet to implement.
CORONAVIRUS: Complete Coverage From WUSF And Health News Florida
“Floridians deserve science-based action from Governor Ron DeSantis,” Biden said in the statement.
Biden pointed to governors such as Andrew Cuomo of New York and Mike DeWine of Ohio, who he praised for “stepping up” and issuing stay-at-home orders to “protect our most vulnerable.”
“While other large states continue to take strong, urgent, and sweeping action to stop the spread of COVID-19, Florida has not,” Biden said in the statement.
RELATED: DeSantis Orders New Yorkers Flying In To Self-Quarantine, Bashes 'Selfish' Youngsters
DeSantis has not issued a stay-at-home order despite calls from politicians around the state to do so, including Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman.
On Wednesday, Pinellas County commissioners voted unanimously to implement a one-week stay-at-home order.
“In this moment of growing uncertainty and anxiety, Floridians want — and deserve — to hear from the public health officials leading the charge,” Biden said in the statement. “To get through this, we need our leaders to listen to the public health experts and their guidance.”
On Tuesday, DeSantis said people 65 and older will be asked to stay at home for 14 days. He also ordered anyone flying into Florida from the New York Tri-State Area where there's a high prevalance of COVID-19 to self-quarantine for 14 days.
WUSF 89.7 depends on donors for the funding It takes to provide you the most trusted source of news and information here in town, across our state, and around the world. Support WUSF now by giving monthly, or make a one-time donation online at WUSF.org/give
