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Florida’s former Governor still would not mention Gov. Ron DeSantis by name in criticizing the state’s COVID-19 response, saying that “in the middle of a crisis you shouldn’t just be criticizing everybody.”
But on CNBC’s Squawk Box Monday morning Sen. Rick Scott criticized, at great length, “inconsistent” messaging from Governors of hotspot states. Florida is currently the leading example.
“What you’ve got to do is get out there and give good information,” Scott said. “This is not just for the Florida Governor, it’s for Governors around the country.”
Scott has previously discussed what he sees as a void of “good information.” On Monday, with interviewers pressing him to get specific about DeSantis, Scott expanded on previous talking points.
“The difference between this and what I did with hurricanes when I was the Governor was I just inundated people with information,” the Senator said. “Across the country, we still don’t have good information.”
“If you look at it, there were a lot of people that were inconsistent with that message early on,” Scott said regarding mask wearing and social distancing.
“We’ve got to get more information out there about where the problem spots are,” he added. “How you stop it.”
“If you do that, people are smart, they’ll figure it out. They figured it out with hurricanes. So they’ll figure it out with this.”
“At every level, federal, state, and local, government needs to tell us where the hotspots are,” Scott said, before comparing the pandemic to the Zika “issue” he addressed as Governor.
“I was very specific as Governor,” he said. “This is where the local transmission is. Tell us where the problem spots are. We’re pretty smart. We don’t go there.”
“But without information, how do we make good decisions,” Scott asked.
Scott’s concern extended to the controversial topic of school reopening, in which he said that parents need “choice” and teachers need more clarity given assorted uncertainties related to returning to the classroom.
“I was talking to a teacher the other day. That person doesn’t know, are they going to be given masks, are they going to be given face shields, are you going to be giving them gloves, how many kids are being in their class … come on!”
Scott’s voice went up an octave in umbrage.
“I was talking to another teacher who said that she’s going to teach online but she has to go to the school to do it,” Scott said. “How does that make any sense?”
“What you see is you see inconsistency,” Scott said, pleading again for “good information.”
The Senator, as we reported previously, has expressed concerns about school reopening, and has already said his grandchildren will not be in brick and mortar schools next month.
5 comments
Frankie M.
July 27, 2020 at 9:44 am
It’s a good thing Ronnie’s kids aren’t old enough to go to school. He might actually have to make a decision.
Sonja Fitch
July 27, 2020 at 10:15 am
As if nazi rick cares!!!!! Lol. Both duffus Desantis and Nazi Rick are loyal goptrumpers! But something is happening! Notice how the goptrumpers are turning on each other! Love it
PeterH
July 28, 2020 at 8:17 am
It’s absolutely unbelievable to hear from Rick Scott on “consistencies” when our Washington Senators do nothing to encourage or formulate a National Covid plan. Republicans are responsible for incompetence. Vote them all out of office up and down the ballot!
Glenn Reihing
July 28, 2020 at 8:25 am
From a retired ER nurse…
1. Messaging starts at the top.
If you have the President say “Wear a mask” and then doesn’t lead by example, then you set yourself up for failure…period.
2. Sometimes the best course of action sucks.
Right now shutting down completely and going back to sheltering in place is absolutely the right thing to do. We need to do it for at least 60 days in order to allow this virus to burn itself out. Yeah, I know it is hard. But I will lay money on if we do this and get the federal government to support small businesses, Americans and State and local governments through this shutdown, we will see infections go down significantly.
3. Be consistent.
Please keep in mind that medicine is always everchanging. What we tell you to do today may change tomorrow. This is because medical decisions are based on what we call “evidence-based, peer-reviewed” material. We look at the data and throw out what is not working. So be kind when we change the message, it’s backed by scientific data.
What should be consistent is this. Stay out of crowds. Wear a mask when you go out (always). Social distance. Avoid enclosed areas as much as possible. And if you have comorbidities, stay at home as much as you can until the numbers go down.
Noo nottoday
July 28, 2020 at 6:32 pm
When even this scumbag can see it and say it, you know you have a problem!
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