Florida surgeon general removed from briefing after urging a year of social distancing

[RandySF]

Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees was removed from a coronavirus briefing moments after he urged social distancing to remain in place until a coronavirus vaccine is developed — which could be at least a year away.

“Until we get a vaccine, which is a while off, this is going to be our new normal and we need to adapt and protect ourselves,” Rivkees said Monday at a news conference held by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Rivkees' comments contrast with sentiments voiced by both DeSantis and President Donald Trump, who have expressed fear that the economic toll of sheltering in place for a lengthy period of time could devastate more lives than the coronavirus itself.

Shortly after his remarks, Rivkees was ushered out of the room by the governor’s spokeswoman, Helen Aguirre Ferré.

In a statement to NBC News, Ferré asserted that Rivkees "was not pulled out of the press conference, which ran longer than expected."

"He had a pre-scheduled meeting with Governor DeSantis’ Deputy Chief of Staff Adrian Lukis he needed to attend," she said, adding that after the meeting, he went to the State Emergency Operations Center with Florida's Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz.

Public health officials have urged restraint in lifting social distancing measures, warning that pulling them back too quickly could result in a disastrous spike in new coronavirus infections.






https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/live-blog/2020-04-14-coronavirus-news-n1183181/ncrd1183511#liveBlogHeader

[Grins]

1. Leave your boss' conf. to meet a DEPUTY chief of staff..?

Yeah; that happens all the time.

[Hortensis]

2. I'm sure most older people who can will be self isolating

until a vaccine becomes available. After all, the risk of DEATH is high to very high and real.

Here in Florida, full of retired people who go out to lunch a lot (lots of time in the middle of the day, less expensive menus), in February 24 we found a restaurant empty at lunchtime. The poor owner told us her usual customers were afraid.

We don't know when those who could actually started isolating, but it was earlier in February and must have happened around the nation far earlier than the first state, California, issued a stay-at-home order almost a month later.

We're in that age group and won't be going dining and shopping until it's no longer suicidal, regardless of what governors decide.

The problem of course is with those in their 30s, 40, 50s, and pre-retirement 60s, risk of death rising sharply every decade, who need to work. We speak of the heroism of medical professionals and not enough about the grim courage of others, like the 50s-ish store checker I didn't want handling my items. For sure she didn't want to either and was constantly wiping herself and her area down.

[Chainfire]

3. This near 70 guy

Would far rather self isolate in my home than in a hole in the ground. I don't care what the government says, this Floridian is going to do his best to outlast the virus. If it gets me, it is going to have to be very sneaky.

By the way, don't blame me for DeInsanetist, I voted for the Democrat.

[Arkansas Granny]

4. I'm with you, Chainfire. That hole in the ground doesn't look very inviting.