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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.

DeSantis Defends Northeast Florida After #FloridaMoron Trends On Twitter Following Beach Reopenings

Mickler's Beach in Ponte Vedra Beach remained busy, despite COVID-19, until it was shutdown. Now it has reopened on a limited basis.
Heather Schatz
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is defending areas like Jacksonville and Duval County that decided to reopen beaches.

Mickler's Beach in Ponte Vedra Beach remained busy, despite COVID-19, until it was shutdown. Now it has reopened on a limited basis.
Credit Heather Schatz / WJCT News
/
The Florida Channel
Mickler's Beach in Ponte Vedra Beach remained busy, despite COVID-19, until it was shutdown. Now it has reopened on a limited basis.

 Criticism of the move was swift and harsh, with #FloridaMoron trending on twitter alongside pictures of people on beaches. DeSantis says Florida’s coronavirus infection and death rate are lower than state’s like New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

“So, my hat’s off to Mayor Curry and the people of Jacksonville and Northeast Florida for doing a great job. For those who try to say you’re morons, I would take you over the folks who are criticizing you any day of the week and twice on Sunday,” he said.

Other cities and counties have started reopening their beaches to walking and other recreational activities. Many of the reopenings come with limits on operational hours, and disallow sitting, picnicing and camping out.

DeSantis has set a Friday deadline for a task force to make recommendations on how to reopen industries and businesses that closed due to the pandemic.

Copyright 2020 WFSU. To see more, visit .

Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lynn has served as reporter/producer for WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas. She is an award-winning member of the Capital Press Corps and has participated in the NPR Kaiser Health News Reporting Partnership and NPR Education Initiative. When she’s not working, Lynn spends her time watching sci-fi and action movies, writing her own books, going on long walks through the woods, traveling and exploring antique stores. Follow Lynn Hatter on Twitter: @HatterLynn.