Marco Rubio won’t support a second shutdown of Florida

Marco Rubio 2
"We are in a very different place now.”

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio stressed the value of flattening the curve with the first statewide lockdown. But he’s pushing back against suggestions by Centers for Disease Control about closing businesses again.

“I supported first ‘shutdown’ to flatten the curve,” Rubio tweeted. “But we are in a very different place now.”

Rubio articulated his different position on a second round of closures after Dr. Anthony Fauci,  director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told The Wall Street Journal’s podcast, The Journal.

“What we are seeing is exponential growth. It went from an average of about 20,000 to 40,000 and 50,000.” Fauci said. ”That’s doubling. If you continue doubling, two times 50 is 100.

“Any state that is having a serious problem, that state should seriously look at shutting down. It’s not for me to say because each state is different.”

But the comments certainly cover Florida, which grew from 100,000 to 200,000 cases in a span of two weeks. As of Thursday morning, Florida’s Department of Health reported 232,718 total cases of COVID-19 and 4,009 deaths of patients with the disease.

Rubio early in the pandemic stressed the importance of limiting mass gatherings and staying at home to flatten the curve.

“I know its a big hassle & comes at a high economic price,” he tweeted on March 30. “But the alternative outcome is far worse.”

But he’s now pushing back against assertions from Fauci and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that another shutdown may be warranted in states with an ongoing surge like Florida.

“Must weigh cost versus benefit,” his Thursday tweet continues. “Social, economic & enforcement costs are significant

“Benefits are questionable, govt can’t shutdown private gatherings & most businesses already restricted.”

The Miami Republican’s tweet also notably comes as Miami-Dade County, the most highly infected in the state, shifts back into lockdown mode, closing down in-person dining, short-term rentals and other services.

Jacob Ogles

Jacob Ogles has covered politics in Florida since 2000 for regional outlets including SRQ Magazine in Sarasota, The News-Press in Fort Myers and The Daily Commercial in Leesburg. His work has appeared nationally in The Advocate, Wired and other publications. Events like SRQ’s Where The Votes Are workshops made Ogles one of Southwest Florida’s most respected political analysts, and outlets like WWSB ABC 7 and WSRQ Sarasota have featured his insights. He can be reached at [email protected].


13 comments

  • Sonja Fitch

    July 9, 2020 at 11:57 am

    Of course little Marco will do as the Putin loving scum traitor trump tells him to do! Stfu marco

  • Anes11

    July 9, 2020 at 12:09 pm

    Covid is easily treated outpatient (and cheaply) with almost 100% success if started early. No need for shutdowns.

    • NO MORE REPUBLICANS !!!

      July 9, 2020 at 2:10 pm

      You’re nuts!

    • Gary Smith

      July 12, 2020 at 3:31 pm

      I call BS. There is no way to treat it on an outpatient basis.

  • Maya M Thomas

    July 9, 2020 at 12:25 pm

    Politicians are not health officials, follow the recommendations of the Health Organizations. What if one of your family members were infected with COVID-19 Virus. Be RESPONSIBLE!!

    • God

      July 10, 2020 at 11:56 am

      If they are on of the their family memebers would get it they would have 10 dotors around them 24-7, all the medicine they need and test results back in an hour. They are the shepard and we are the sheep

  • Sam

    July 9, 2020 at 12:31 pm

    If it gets bad enough he will. This is “what if” news at this point.

  • Jeremy

    July 9, 2020 at 1:19 pm

    No worries, the Governor is adding beds as needed… we’ll continue to add beds until the entire state is one giant hospital. VOTE these people out of office!

  • NO MORE REPUBLICANS !!!

    July 9, 2020 at 2:07 pm

    Friggin’ Republicans! Then – the voters should simply STOP SUPPORTING RUBIO!

    The friggin’ Republicans care NOTHING about “The People” – ONLY the monied special interests that belong to their tribe, ONLY the Big Businesses that support their tribe, and ONLY that their tribe keeps winning – AT ALL COSTS!

    NO MORE REPUBLICANS !!!

    Pppffttt!

  • Bill Wilson

    July 10, 2020 at 5:06 pm

    Rubio just another Republican that cant think for himself does he really believe the Dr Trump does what he’s doing just look at the way he ruined Atlantic City when things went bad for his casinos he couldn’t figure a way out because all the smart executives were unfortunately killed in a helicopter crash.So he just went Bankrupt and hurt all those mom and pop businesses that trusted him when he said just trust me you will be paid.History always repeats itself but we have an opportunity to through him out in November so he can’t hurt the entire World any more

  • Susan Gilmore

    July 12, 2020 at 9:42 pm

    What is the current price of a human life in the state of FL? Marco Rubio is every bit of a pos as DT and the Republican Congress & Party. All about personal wealth, greed and power. People rarely even make the list. Despicable, disgusting and extraordinarily stupid. How does he defend his previous statements against his current statement? What changed except the number of infected human beings and the number of deaths but you know, “the economy”. What a group of heathens who have no integrity nor do those who support them and they also bear the burden of guilt for what amounts to murder by government.

  • Darlene Latham

    July 16, 2020 at 8:08 am

    They have no cure for it. Pretty soon all our streets will be full of patients on hospital beds cause hospitals will be full again. We need a second shut down. And close everything. Last time they left stores open and all Walmart employees got cornovirus. If people need food only delivery. If convenience stores open make all drive through. All they doing is watching people die of this cornovirus.

  • Jose

    July 17, 2020 at 6:48 am

    I’m a Democrat and I support Rubio and Trump on this.
    Do NOT lockdown Florida!

Comments are closed.


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