Florida Today

Published 12:12 a.m. ET April 25, 2020

Stop the partisan bickering

In a recent letter, the author asked, “Who’s the engineer here?” No engineer needed, but we are fortunately have a president to handle the COVID-19 crisis. The Democratic governors of our two largest states have praised the POTUS for prompt support of their needs. The POTUS updates the nation almost daily to keep people informed. He has rallied individuals, companies, and health groups to meet the call for needed medical equipment.

New data reveals that the original models of illness and death were grossly exaggerated. The problem with models is that they are dependent on the assumptions of the modeler. The old adage “garbage in, garbage out” seems to apply. The is no question that COVID-19 is a serious virus, but its ability to spread seems to be greatly overblown.

When COVID-19 passes, we can assess actions and inactions. In the meantime, quit the petty bickering and work to restore the U.S. economy. Act like Americans and pull together.

Jack Ward, Melbourne

Florida isn’t ready yet

During a coronavirus briefing last Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis indicated that he wanted to lift some or most of the current restrictions intended to stem the spread of the pandemic in Florida. It appeared as something urgent and to be implemented no later than at the end of the current “safe-at-home” order. We need to tell our governor that we are not ready for that yet.

Last week, President Trump released guidelines — titled “Opening Up America Again” — that urge states not to lift stay-at-home or travel restrictions until they reach a 14-day period in which the number of coronavirus cases is steadily declining, hospitals are not overwhelmed and robust testing is in place for health care workers and others.

I am looking at the statistical charts of the Florida Department of Health published daily by FLORIDA TODAY. There is not even a faint indication that the “flattening of the curve” may materialize soon, and certainly not in the next 14 days. Thus, I urge DeSantis, to wait until the epidemiological data indicates strong scientific reasons for lifting the current restrictions.  

Florida has been affected by thousands of visitors coming here in February and March from hot pandemic areas and bringing the contagion. We are not in a race to reopen quickly; we should lift the public health restrictions when it will be safe for all Floridians.

Warren Charminski, Indian Harbour Beach

DeSantis is doing a good job

Kathleen Barmark, in a recent letter, decries the Florida reemployment system and goes on to assert that Gov. Ron DeSantis is a laughing stock to her relatives in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Connecticut for his handling of the virus epidemic.

I looked at coronavirus deaths for those states, Florida and for New York, whose Democratic governor’s performance has been generally favorably reported in the press. The only state with a lower death rate per million than Florida is relatively rural Kentucky. This suggests that Florida has fared well under DeSantis’ leadership.

She apparently disapproves of the governor’s appointment of a coronavirus task force, which is tasked with developing recommendations for reopening the state, because she believes he is following the lead of President Trump. Jerry Deming, Democratic mayor of Orange County, has appointed an economic recovery task force which has a similar charter. Is he also following the lead of the president whom she disparages?

James Beasom, Melbourne Village

Stand Your Ground needs to go

The Stand Your Ground law is perhaps the worst gun law ever pushed through Republican controlled states with or without NRA backing.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey, who has long favored the NRA’s promotion of guns, seems to believe it’s a one-way street. A deputy may shoot first: justified.  A civilian protecting someone: he should have known better.

In the DeRossett case, it’s not like he was the “protection” for a drug operation.  Not likely someone was going to break in with a gun or knife and steal sex.

The Deputies handled the arrest of the niece poorly, which unfortunately resulted in a wounded deputy Smith. The true injustice however: DeRossett spent almost five years in jail. Why wasn’t he released on bond?

I await the day this “death” law is stricken from the books.

Brian dean, Melbourne

Coronavirus not a reality show

Stop it, Mr. President. Just, please, stop contradicting your own briefings. Here’s my disclosure: I voted for him because I didn’t want another Clinton in office and I wanted to keep a conservative Supreme Court.  I knew I was dealing with an immature frat boy but I was “hoping” he would grow into the office like so many others have.

I was incorrect.  This is not a reality show; this is reality.  You cannot say that we need social distancing and then praise idiots protesting the same concept.  End the media circus of the press briefings. Let the experts talk and go find something useful to do.

We know you’re running for re-election. Let your friendly PACs do their business.  Just find something useful to do and quit causing more problems.

Gordon Hemphill, Satellite Beach

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