As a testament to just how widespread the coronavirus pandemic is in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis and other top government officials were potentially exposed to the deadly virus at an event last week where five attendees, so far have tested positive for the virus.
DeSantis attended the July 27th meeting of the Florida Sheriff’s Association with 60 other people from across the state. The event organizers say they practiced social distancing and masks were required. But five individuals who were in attendance at the event tested positive for COVID-19. They include an unidentified individual who first notified the association of a positive test, Corrections Secretary Mark Inch, and his deputy Ricky Dixon. Two sheriffs, Mike Chitwood and Bobby Schultz also tested positive for the virus. Chitwood was notified of his positive test moments before meeting with Donald Trump on Friday.
More than a dozen other sheriffs who attended the conference with Chitwood met with Donald Trump on the tarmac at the Tampa international airport. Neither Trump nor the sheriffs wore masks.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis suggested that his test results were negative.
“I’m tested regularly and I don’t have or have not had any symptoms. The number of times I’ve been tested has been pretty significant, and I’ve had my temperature checked probably 100 times in the few months,” DeSantis said.
