Representative Anna V. Eskamani joined fellow lawmakers in sending a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis asking that a statewide mask-mandate be put into place. Below is a copy of the letter, which you can also find linked here.
July 3, 2020
The Honorable Ron DeSantis
Governor, State of Florida
Via Email
Dear Governor Ron DeSantis,
This week, Florida saw more than 55,000 new coronavirus cases. In just four months our state has recorded a total of 169,106 infections along with a seven-day average of about 42 deaths each day, the highest it has been since May 9.
In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, we are requesting that you immediately implement a statewide mask mandate, similar to what other states have already implemented.
Leading medical experts from across the globe have stressed that using face masks reduces exposure to the virus, potentially saving countless lives. Local health officials in Florida agree, with Dr. Raul Pino, the state health department’s officer in Orange County, recommending that the use of face masks be countywide. Dr. Timothy Hendrix with Advent Health was recently quoted as saying, “The more I read about the effectiveness of face masks, I am convinced that this is the only thing that’s going to help us to get through until we get a vaccine.” The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone wears a mask, too.
This is not a partisan issue; this is an issue of life and death. As lawmakers, there are many times that we must take difficult votes that aren’t popular but are the right thing to do. In watching the devastation that COVID-19 is causing in our communities we strongly recommend that the State of Florida implement a mandatory use of face covering over the nose and mouth while in a business or other building open to the public, as well as outdoor public spaces, whenever social distancing is not possible. This small but important gesture will have big consequences for the greater good.
Please let us know how we can help in this urgent request and process.
Sincerely,
Representative Anna V. Eskamani, Florida House of Representatives, District 47
Representative Shevrin Jones, Florida House of Representatives, District 101
Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith, Florida House of Representatives, District 49
Representative Cindy Polo, Florida House of Representatives, District 103
Representative Ben Diamond, Florida House of Representatives, District 68
Representative Adam Hattersley, Florida House of Representatives, District 59
Representative Fentrice Driskell, Florida House of Representatives, District 63
Representative Amy Mercado, Florida House of Representatives, District 48
Representative Dan Daley, Florida House of Representatives, District 97
Representative Javier Fernández, Florida House of Representatives, District 114