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News about coronavirus in Florida and around the world is constantly emerging. It's hard to stay on top of it all but Health News Florida can help. Our responsibility is to keep you informed, and to help discern what’s important for your family as you make what could be life-saving decisions.

Gov. DeSantis Defends Jacksonville And Beaches Mayors

Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a Monday news conference in Tallahassee.
PBS NewsHour
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

https://youtu.be/lK4P-RJZh_I

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is praising Duval County’s efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to reopen the local economy as safely as possible.

Monday evening DeSantis said that Duval’s decision last month to reopen its beaches for recreation-only prompted widespread criticism and dire warnings. He said none of criticism turned out to be warranted.

Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a Monday news conference in Tallahassee.
Credit PBS NewsHour
/
The Florida Channel
Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a Monday news conference in Tallahassee.

“The facts are that since this has happened, hospitalizations, ICU, rate of positivity, ventilators—that has all declined. Those people were wrong and the folks in Duval County behaved appropriately. I think apologies can be sent to City of Jacksonville, attention Mayor Curry. You may want to CC the mayors of Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach — but I won’t hold my breath on that happening.”

Related:  Local, State, And National Coronavirus Coverage

DeSantis said he’s pleased with the way Phase One of Florida’s reopening is going. He promised to give an updated assessment later this week.

Contact reporter Cyd Hoskinson at choskinson@wjct.org, 904-358-6351 and on Twitter at @cydwjctnews.

Copyright 2020 WJCT News 89.9. To see more, visit .

Cyd Hoskinson began working at WJCT on Valentine’s Day 2011.