Sunrise

Gov. DeSantis decided not to talk about the COVID-19 crisis — at least not to the media — by skipping the usual briefing. That was fine with Sen. Jason Pizzo, who says he’s tired of the BS over Florida’s failed unemployment compensation system and the fundamental lack of human empathy from some of Florida’s top officials.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Pizzo speaks his mind.

— Dr. Anthony Fauci testifies before a U.S. Senate committee, warning about the danger of reopening states too soon. He says it could kill more people and do even more damage to the economy. Florida also got a shoutout during that hearing from the head of the CDC.

— Attorney General Ashley Moody says Floridians have received nearly half a million dollars in refunds from businesses accused of inflated prices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

— Florida State University will spend more than $400,000 to fund 26 projects that address questions related to coronavirus. Research will try to explain the effects of COVID-19 and investigate how humanity can cope with the changes brought on by the disease.

— The Florida Citrus Commission will spend more money advertising the state’s citrus crop, especially orange juice, which has become more popular during the pandemic. They’ll be using money from the travel budget because no one at the commission is traveling anymore.

— Checking in with Florida Man and his better half, who is accused of stabbing her husband with a screwdriver to protect her sister.

Over the weekend, Florida’s state unemployment office sent out a lot of money, but still has a long way to go before it can get to all the claims already filed.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— When the pandemic began, a test for COVID-19 meant meeting all sorts of criteria and jumping through hoops. Now Gov. Ron DeSantis says there are enough test kits now and anyone who wants to be tested can do so. And if you work at a long-term care facility, you no longer have a choice. If the state shows up to test the staff, you cannot refuse.

— The Governor travels to Fort Myers for another panel discussion with doctors, who are trying to convince Floridians it is safe to go to the hospital for routine problems that have nothing to do with COVID-19. DeSantis — who himself has a brand-new baby at the Governor’s mansion — says he’s troubled by reports of people refusing to get their kids vaccinated because they’re afraid of taking them to a doctor’s office.

— A north Florida man is suing the state because the website to apply for concealed weapons permit is shut down during the pandemic, even though you can still apply by mail. Nevertheless, Cliff Maloney — president of a group called Young Americans for Liberty — insists his rights are being violated because he can’t apply online.

— Checking in with Florida Man and Woman: one has a problem with fleas; the other, with feminists.

You can once again get a haircut or a perm in Florida, now that Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared that barbershops and beauty salons can reopen during the pandemic. You won’t even need a mask — but the barber will.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The state issues new emergency orders requiring all patients and staff at adult living facilities to submit to testing if they get a visit from the Department of Health.

— The stay at home order has lifted in Palm Beach County, which today entered Phase One of the recovery. Broward and Miami/Dade are the only counties still under lockdown, DeSantis is hoping they'll reopen as soon as next Monday.

As South Florida begins to reopen, the Governor is working on plans to screen airline passengers from overseas — especially South America. He wants to check them for COVID-19 before they get on the plane.

— The state’s unemployment compensation woes continue. Florida has received claims from almost 1,300,000 residents, but the state has only sent payments to 532,000.

— More media bashing from DeSantis during the pandemic, taking another page from Donald Trump’s coronavirus playbook. He’s taking credit for the fact that Florida wasn’t hit as hard as the experts thought, but the Tampa Bay Times crunched the numbers and found average, everyday Floridians began social distancing and staying at home weeks long before the Governor issued any orders.

— Checking in with two Florida Men who probably should have stayed away from the restaurants when they reopened.

Florida’s Department of Corrections release some scary numbers about the spread of coronavirus behind bars.

Gov. Ron DeSantis heads to Hard Rock Stadium to talk about coronavirus testing, show off the state’s new mobile laboratory — and do some China-bashing.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is announcing a new tool in the fight against COVID-19 in Florida — it’s an RV.

Also, on today’s #Sunrise:

— Although the state health department didn’t confirm the first case of coronavirus in Florida until March 1, a new report in the Palm Beach Post says it was here as early as January 1.

— DeSantis gives another upbeat assessment of Florida’s response to the pandemic during a visit to a coronavirus testing facility in Sarasota. The first batch of tests for COVID 19 antibodies is ready to go, the Governor says.

— DeSantis also continues to face questions about the state’s unemployment compensation system. Although he doesn’t want to play the blame game, the Governor threw one of his own people under the bus.

— Day 3 of Florida’s soft reopening and some local officials are worried that it’s happening too soon, increasing the chances of another lockdown later this year. Some are blaming the President for stirring up anti-lockdown protests.

— Rich Fiesta, of the Alliance for Retired Americans, talks about the importance of vote-by-mail. His group is one of several that is filing a new lawsuit in federal court challenging some of Florida’s rules for vote-by-mail ballots. They seek to make it easier to vote from home during the pandemic.

— The new adventures of Florida Man: One is a former Green Beret who tried to overthrow the President of Venezuela. Another carried a toy gun, wearing a dinosaur costume.

The fiscal impact of the COVID-19 crisis is starting to add up. State tax collections were down by more than $750 million in March.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Gov. Ron DeSantis is using his bully pulpit to defend the state’s unemployment system. Well, not quite “defend.” The Governor admits it's a crappy system that was designed to fail but insists he is making it work.

— That’s not good enough for Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. She’s demanding a formal investigation into potential mismanagement of Florida’s unemployment system

— As the death toll rises at nursing homes and adult living facilities, a south Florida Congressman says it’s time for Donald Trump and DeSantis to do a better job protecting seniors from coronavirus and be more honest about what’s really going on behind closed doors at senior care facilities

— Sen. José Javier Rodriguez talks about entering Phase One of reopening the state but warns that the people making those decisions are not looking out for the best interests of workers, small businesses, or local communities.

— Florida Man has been active: One dressed up as the Grim Reaper to protest reopening the beaches. Another shot and killed a man when he was a teenager, he’s now a South Florida sheriff.

Florida’s statewide stay-at-home order has lifted for every county except Miami/Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, and restaurants can reopen for business — but with limitations. The end of the lockdown does NOT mean an end to social distancing.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Floridians may be getting back to work, but seniors our urged to still stay inside for now because of the risk of infection. It will be a bit easier thanks to a new state program that provides free restaurant-style meals to elders — “Meals of Love.” Florida Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Richard Prudome and Lisa Bretz, the executive director of the Area Agency on Aging for North Florida, will talk about the program.

— Today is also the day that hospitals and one-day surgery centers can resume elective procedures that were on hold during the pandemic. That is good news for the hospitals, which lost so much business in the lockdown that some of the facilities started furloughing staff.

— Advocates for inmates are worried about the spread of COVID-19 behind bars and are urging state corrections officials to consider more conditional medical releases from inmates who face the most risk.

— And the latest on Florida Man and Woman, who are both in trouble for an X-rated video chat at a state prison. Both could end up wearing orange.

Florida House Democrats are trying to engineer a Special Session on coronavirus. Rep. Evan Jenne says enough lawmakers have now submitted a formal request to the Secretary of State — and she is legally required to poll the entire Legislature.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Senate Democrats hold an online news conference to demand more changes in the state unemployment system. Sunrise talks with five of them to hear why.

— Despite spending more than $100 million to try to patch the system together, Florida’s unemployment compensation system is still leading to anger, frustration, tears — and even a lawsuit. New numbers from the U.S. Labor Department show more Floridians filed first-time unemployment claims last week than any other state in the nation.

— Two stories featuring Florida Man and Woman, including a judge who’s in trouble for defending her son.

Gov. Ron DeSantis unveils his plan to reopen the Sunshine State, with Phase One beginning Monday — except for Miami/Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— In short, the reopening plan has schools sticking with virtual learning from home and nursing homes still off-limits to visitors. Theaters, bars, gyms, and personal services like hairdressers cannot reopen yet, but restaurants, retail stores and hospitals can open for business as usual, as long as they engage in social distancing.

— Businesses (and even a few Democrats) are giving positive reviews to the Governor’s strategy, but many are still griping about Florida’s troubled unemployment system. Democratic Rep. Geraldine Thompson was there when then-Gov. Rick Scott created that house of cards seven years ago. She offers a special “ask” for DeSantis.

— Both of Florida’s U.S. Senators are asking the USDA to rethink their decision to allow the importation of five types of citrus from China, the home of citrus greening disease.

 — And the latest on Florida Man, which includes a backhanded tribute from the Conan O’Brien Show.