A.G. Gancarski
There may be sports events in Florida, but no one’s going to be there.
Concerts, likewise, aren’t happening anytime soon.
And a trip to the movies? Don’t plan on it yet.
Those were among the takeaways from Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ remarks to the media Saturday, when he outlined what will be a slower rollout of live entertainment than some might have anticipated.
“We’re not doing in-person sports yet no matter what.” the Governor said in response to questions regarding federal guidelines for easing social distancing. “That’s just not going to happen in May.”
Of course, there will be live sports, just without crowds.
“I’ve been very vocal about trying to get UFC, we have coming. WWE, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.”
“That’s for TV … so people have some content,” said DeSantis, whose concerns about the dullness of television sports reruns are well-documented.
WWE, or World Wrestling Entertainment, already held events at its Orlando facility. The Ultimate Fighting Championship will hold its next event, UFC 249, in Jacksonville on May 9. And the all-star golf event will be sometime next month.
None of those will have live onlookers.
While the Governor would like “big events here when the time is right,” that “time’s going to be far into the future.”
Movie theaters, likewise, are a current non-starter for the Governor, because of the “enclosed environment.”
The Governor did defend outdoor spaces, however, saying that people are more likely to get the novel coronavirus inside than outside.
DeSantis is taking a more moderate approach than Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who has cleared for opening restaurants, barber shops, and beauty and tattoo parlors, an approach criticized by President Donald Trump this week.
However, the Governor has not been spared criticism from those who support more restrictions than he has been willing to sign off on.
The largest recent flashpoint: the decision of Jacksonville to re-open beaches in Duval County.
That led to national criticism of the Governor and Jacksonville’s leadership, including the #FloridaMorons hashtag trending on Twitter (probably not for the last time).
The Governor issued a spirited defense of Duval’s decision.
“For those who would say you’re morons,” DeSantis said, “I’d take you any day of the week and twice on Sunday.”
8 comments
RANDY BRIDGEMAN
April 25, 2020 at 2:12 pm
Our Governor is doing a very good. It’s better to err on the side of caution as opposed to taking risks. After all, people’s lives are at stake. We will continue to pray for our Governor.
Frankie M.
April 25, 2020 at 2:16 pm
When they talk about Floriduh morons they’re talking about you Ronnie. Your priorities are in the wrong place. Sporting events for TV, golf, wrasslin, & beaches?? If only you put as much energy into the broken unemployment site as you are to such trivial things. No mass gatherings but beaches and churches are open. You talk out of both sides of your mouth. Who taught you that?
Bryan Fischer
April 26, 2020 at 1:31 pm
Right, if Florida is so bad and New York is so great, why has New York lost 15 million residents over the last thirty years?
Let’s have the state with the most Covid deaths tell us how to do it right. F.U.
Paul
April 25, 2020 at 5:15 pm
See even your Governor agrees you are morons, but he still loves you as long as you vote for him!
Sue Jones
April 25, 2020 at 9:21 pm
What about the people who work on our beaches(Panama City who by the way has already suffered through Hurricane Michael) during the summer which should have started back in March? What happens at the close of the summer season and they file their unemployment but because they didn’t work March through May it seems. They will not get enough to survive until next March. I know your trying to take care of Florida and I’m glad but think about those who work seasonal heck think about everyone who works.
DisplacedCTYankee
April 26, 2020 at 8:50 am
Words are *so* important. “Flattening” the curve means it has leveled off at a peak level of diagnosed cases, not that it is “waning.” This is absolutely no time to loosen restrictions.
I went to a Bradenton Publix on Saturday and at least most customers (and all workers) were wearing face masks or homemade coverings. Unfortunately, still too many who weren’t. Two who weren’t were a woman in a motorized cart and her male handler. I will never get it.
Fred Kirby
April 26, 2020 at 11:30 am
No, you probably will never get it.
Nate Greene
April 27, 2020 at 12:37 pm
And apparently you and others who ‘think’ like you never will. Just continue to believe everything that you hear from all the mainstream media outlets. Don’t question the ‘experts’, their models or their data. Don’t seek out or ponder what others in the scientific or medical profession who may offer different opinions have to say. No independent thinking or rational though please. Just accept it all and do as your instructed citizen. If not, we’ll send the authorities for you and you will comply. Not in my America sir.
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