CAPE CORAL, Fla -- When it comes to rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic, some Florida counties have been forced to take steps backwards.
The number of coronavirus cases have surged in Florida. Starting Wednesday, Miami-Dade County restaurants must close inside dining again.
A few things contributed to the decision on Florida's East Coast. Including the controversial topic of wearing a mask, and hospital staffing.
The county continues to lead our state with the most coronavirus cases, and had already been moving at a slower pace than the rest of the state when it comes to rebounding.
Now, restaurants will only be allowed to offer outdoor dining, takeout and delivery again. Local leaders there said they want to ensure hospitals continue to have the staffing necessary to save lives.
They've also warned in recent days that compliance with things like the mandatory mask ordinance there, would contribute to any closures.
In Southwest Florida, we've watched this debate heat up over the past several weeks. But case counts in areas like Lee and Collier remain significantly lower than Miami-Dade, and there's no indication yet that we could see similar closures.
Despite Florida surging past 200,000 cases, Governor DeSantis has said "we're not going back closing things."
He, along with the governor of Texas, have both come under recent criticism.
Both are presiding over states that are reeling from the virus. Still, Governor Abbott has ordered face-masks be worn in all Texas counties that have 20 or more cases, which is most of them. Whereas Governor DeSantis continues to leave this up to counties and cities to decide.
"Ultimately, we've got to trust people to make good decisions," said Governor DeSantis.
