FORT MYERS, Fla. — Earlier today Lee County officials spoke directly to the public in a press conference pleading with all of us at home to get on board and help fight the spread of COVID-19.
“Tomorrow starts the next phase in our fight against COVID -19” said Brian Hamman Chairman, Lee County Commissioners.
That’s what Brian Hamman Chairman of the Lee County Commissioners had to say regarding the new safer at home order put in place by Governor Ron DeSantis. The order goes into effect tonight at midnight and will last until April 30th. Closing all non essential businesses in the area, at this time officials are pleading with the public to not panic.
“We don’t want you to panic, but we want you to absolutely take it serious. Stop and listen to what we’re telling you, help us, help you”, said Sheriff Carmine Marceno.
Emphasizing that they need the public to fully comply.
“Get with the program we need you to stop trying to find loopholes to continue to party. Half of the questions I got today are people looking for loopholes to continue to do things that could cause you to catch the virus”, said Commissioner Hamman.
However if residents do not comply, law enforcement will step in.
“The last resort, we don’t want to make a difficult situation worse, but we can give a notice to appear, or we can arrest, and we will if need be. I’m thankful the residents have really listened and have been apart of the team”, said Sheriff Marceno.
Here in Florida we love enjoying our waters and officials say, that is okay, but enjoy the safe way.
“We want you to operate in the same manner that you were supposed to last weekend. You’re supposed to keep that 50 ft distance, you’re supposed to not have people out of your household on your boat, and no rafting the boats together” said Commissioner Hamman.
Officials are emphasizing that if we as a community do out part, we will get through this.
“Don’t panic, they key word being don’t panic, we are like the commissioner said, we are going to get through this as one team, but we need the people to listen this is not a joke, it’s very serious” said Sheriff Marceno.
