Due to a spike in new coronavirus infections and hospitalizations this week, many cities and counties in Florida are now requiring face coverings in public.
To date, Governor Ron DeSantis has resisted a statewide mask mandate. However, on Friday morning, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) announced that it is suspending drinking alcohol at bars - where a number of outbreaks have occured - "effectively immediately."
Public media reporters from across the state joined us to share what the situation is like and what is being done in their areas to help slow the spread, including:
- Wilkine Brutus, WLRN
- Mary Shedden, WUSF
- Brendan Byrne, WMFE
- Sky Lebron, WJCT
We also spoke to Dr. Cindy Prins, Associate professor of epidemiology at University of Florida, and Dr. Cheryl Holder, Internal Medicine Doctor and, Associate Professor at Florida International's College of Medicine, to get a closer look at the current state of the pandemic in Florida; how the state is tracking and reporting cases; and efforts to trying to slow the spread and treat patients.