DeSantis food tour slows Covid surge in Florida

COVID-19 numbers in Florida have been on a sharp decline since a surge in August, when the state was adding 20,000 new cases and several hundred deaths daily.

By all accounts, the numbers are going in the right direction.

On Oct. 11, WPLG Local 10 reported that hospitalizations and new Covid infections have trended downward in the Sunshine State for six straight weeks. As for lives lost, three deaths were tallied since Oct. 8.

Any Covid death is tragic, unfortunate and unimaginable. Even one death is too many. But Florida, by many measures, has been a world leader in mitigation efforts to keep everyone safe and sound.

Fortunately, Gov. Ron DeSantis has been urging Floridians to get vaccinated and reflect on the importance of taking proper precautions against Covid.

This, of course, would include getting out of the house — to spread people out around the community instead of keeping families cramped together in a tight space.

Luckily for Florida residents, the summertime surge from the highly contagious delta variant was tamped down by DeSantis’ critically-acclaimed food tour across family-owned restaurants in the area.

The tour, which included stops at Pensacola’s Bagelheads and Dominic’s Deli & Eatery in Palm Coast, ensured that locals would leave the home and get some fresh air — important steps in Covid safety.

By encouraging Florida residents to head out and support local businesses, the governor saved countless lives.