DeSantis Dismisses Fauci’s Suggestion Florida ‘Jumped Over a Couple of Checkpoints’ With Reopening

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is pushing back against Dr. Anthony Fauci insisting claims that his state disregarded checkpoints for reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic.

On Friday, DeSantis discussed Fauci’s remarks about the state’s reopening. Despite the state becoming the country’s epicenter for coronavirus, the Republican governor insists there was no reason not to move forward with the state’s reopening, according to the Sun-Sentinel.

“I think there was really no justification to not move forward,” DeSantis said.

During an appearance on FiveThirtyEight’s “PODCAST-19,” Fauci noted how failure to adhere to reopening guidelines and recommendations likely contributed to the surge in coronavirus cases.

Singling out Florida specifically, Fauci admitted that he believes some states “jumped over a couple of checkpoints.” 

“Despite the guidelines and the recommendations to open up carefully and prudently, some states skipped over those and just opened up too quickly,” Fauci said. “Certainly Florida … I think jumped over a couple of checkpoints.” 

Despite DeSantis arguing that his state reopened properly, multiple reports signaled the possibility of impending red flags.