A.G. Gancarski
As the coronavirus disease spreads, the lack of a positive test in Duval County was a mathematical improbability.
So it was perhaps not surprising when, on Thursday night, the first case in Duval was announced by the Florida Department of Health.
The Florida Department of Health has announced 15 new positive Florida #COVID19 cases. All individuals are being appropriately cared for and isolated. Visit https://t.co/e1S8bGG26U for more information and #COVID19 updates.
— Florida Dept. Health (@HealthyFla) March 13, 2020
Local media reported that an 83-year-old Duval County man tested positive COVID-19.
It was “unclear” if it was a travel-related infection.
For reasons unclear, the department did not coordinate with public officials in Duval County, as Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry lamented that evening.
“I told the public I would share the 1st and any #CoronaVirus positive w them when Florida Dept of Health shared it with me & my team. They did not. I am disappointed to have learned about the 1st test via the news. Transparency & communication is the way forward for our citizens,” Curry asserted.
“We must share what we know with the public @HealthyFla. None of our city emergency professionals were advised of this positive,” Curry added.
Curry has considered “shutting down” events, a containment measure becoming more commonplace as the disease spreads.
“I am evaluating shutting down events this weekend. As stated today, I will NOT attend any large events,” Curry noted.
The mayor’s late-night discontent with the state’s Department of Health comes at a time when lawmakers become more cautious about the coronavirus impact by the day.
The House and Senate look set to agree to stash more than $300 million for coronavirus considerations. COVID-19 could affect tourism, work productivity, and other aspects of the state’s revenue.
Curry and Gov. Ron DeSantis are political allies.
The Jacksonville Mayor famously endorsed DeSantis as a “brother from a different mother” after he gave the Governor a tour of a youth enrichment program under the auspices of the local “Kids Hope Alliance” children’s services organization.
Undoubtedly, DeSantis will face questions about the Department of Health communications strategy, which seems to privilege press releases over coordination with local officials in at least one city.
3 comments
Frankie M.
March 13, 2020 at 10:13 am
Sounds like Lenny needs to have a heart to heart with his brother from another mother. Why do government agencies have to give locally elected politicians a “heads up” before releasing information for others to spin? Lenny’s call for transparency and open lines of communication rings hollow given what’s happening on the national stage and JEA on the local level.
Pedro
March 13, 2020 at 12:47 pm
If these Trump lackey’s don’t demand Trump declare a national emergency to open up Medicaid for the virus afflicted they are complicit in its spread and deserve the blame they will be bringing on themselves. Unfortunately Trump would rather exercise austerity than admit he was wrong!
Sonja Emily Fitch
March 13, 2020 at 2:10 pm
Looting Lenny has no credibility! The white man Republican Lootin Lenny is just like all of the other white men Republicans..greedy and self-serving. Looting Lenny has no credibility! just like the impeached trump…the lies and self serving policies are now a cause FOR OUR community safety. YA PROUD LOOTING LENNY? PS Looting Lenny your huffing and puffing does not impress me a darn bit. YOU ARE THE PROBLEM LOOTING LENNY.
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