FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
CONTACT: Liz Doherty
Forest on Florida’s Coronavirus Response: “They’ve Done A Much Better Job”
Florida Republican Governor DeSantis last week forced to re-close bars due to surging cases
This didn’t age well. In April, Dan Forest said in an interview, “Quite frankly other states have done a much better job than North Carolina. In Florida they’ve done a much better job and haven’t had these kind of outbreaks.”
Forest has repeatedly spread misinformation regarding the virus outbreak and downplayed its impacts:
- Also in April, Forest claimed more people have died from the flu than from COVID-19. Politifact gave this claim a “False” rating.
- On May 1st, Forest claimed Governor Cooper had “no moral, ethical or rational justification” for extending the state’s Stay At Home order
- On May 12th, Forest claimed “there is absolutely no proof” that a lockdown actually prevents COVID-19 deaths.
- On May 26th, Forest claimed “the curve has always been flat in our state.”
Yesterday in a press conference about his politically motivated lawsuit against the governor, Forest was questioned about Florida and Texas walking back their reopening and again closing down bars. He refused to answer:
WRAL: “What we’re seeing clearly in Florida and Texas with Republican governors reclosing parts of the economy that had been open because this virus is running rampant in those states. What would you and the Council of State do?”
FOREST: “That’s really not relevant to the lawsuit, Laura.”
Does Forest still think Florida is doing a “much better job” with their coronavirus response?
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