Thousands of people flocking to reopened Florida beaches that were forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic prompted the #FloridaMorons hashtag on Twitter.
Florida Gov Ron DeSantis gave the green light for some beaches and parks to reopen if it can be done safely, even as the Sunshine State recorded its highest single-day increase in confirmed coronavirus cases. As of Sunday afternoon, Florida has more than 25,000 cases of the coronavirus and 748 deaths.
Photos taken on Sunday showed locals running, walking, biking and fishing at a Duval County beach.
Mayor Lenny Curry said Duval County beaches reopened Friday afternoon with restricted hours. Curry said beachgoers are only allowed to walk, bike, hike, fish, surf, run, swim and take care of their pets while on the beaches.
‘If for some reason it turns to helter skelter, we’re going to pull the plug again,’ Curry warned on Friday.
Curry said he is letting the public back onto Duval County beaches because he is ‘encouraged’ by the rate of infections and hospitalizations and said there is evidence they are flattening the curve.
‘This can be the beginning of the pathway back to normal life,’ he said on Thursday. ‘Please respect and follow these limitations. Stay within the guidelines for your safety as well as for the safety of your neighbors.’
People taking to Twitter to voice their concerns over the reopening of the beaches prompted the trend of #FloridaMorons:
Wasn’t there a movie about a stupid politician who insisted on opening the beaches despite the warnings of people much smarter than him? #FloridaMorons pic.twitter.com/sa8TN1sNdV
— Joe Gorbsky (@JoeGorbsky) April 18, 2020
The leader of the #FloridaMoronspic.twitter.com/Jax5T9Ubok
— Morgan J. Freeman (@mjfree) April 18, 2020
Seems it would be more accurate if it showed #FloridaMorons pushing down with the other cretins.#FloridaMoron pic.twitter.com/cV12LTadOk
— elenadreams (@elenadreams2) April 19, 2020
‘Fear of The Walking Dumb (Who Won’t Stay Home)’https://t.co/UA74e6fYR2#FloridaMorons pic.twitter.com/i82scLxCTk
— John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) April 18, 2020
When your leadership watched Jaws for their research. #FloridaMorons pic.twitter.com/oWsq608XYG
— I am Jack (@I_Am_Jacks_Blog) April 18, 2020
Florida, you are screwed #FloridaMorons https://t.co/TPBASEITAu
— Joe (@joe_viterbo) April 18, 2020
#FloridaMorons please sign this. pic.twitter.com/Zs9uyzNQkj
— JenniferDeansBitch (@Jenny108) April 18, 2020
I live in Florida. I’m staying home and not going to the beach because I’m NOT one of those #FloridaMorons pic.twitter.com/3GBHFSfeDU
— Lorenzo The Cat (@LorenzoTheCat) April 18, 2020
Florida reopened some beaches today & they were packed. I guess in a way it makes perfect Florida-sense. To try to get a little sun so you look healthy at your funeral.#FloridaMorons
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) April 18, 2020
Dear #michiganmorons
Thank you for taking some heat off of #floridamorons for a few minutes. https://t.co/4MAuAKI9Xi
— Sandy (@grrrrlygrrrl) April 15, 2020
How everyone else in America feels about us Floridians 😭 #FloridaMorons pic.twitter.com/SGwiPnnG4K
— Mehran (@mvafamand) April 18, 2020
I’d like to apologize on behalf of FL. True, it’s full of idiotic hillbillies, Trumpers, climate change deniers, meth heads, and bigots but there are SOME decent folks. Don’t judge us based on the actions of a few. Feel free to judge our Governor. He IS a moron.#FloridaMorons
— Erick Stevens (@erickstevens82) April 18, 2020
If you could end Covid-19 by sacrificing a part of the United States, which state would you choose and why Florida? #FloridaMorons
— SchindlersCat (@FelisDave) April 19, 2020
Universal Studios is developing a #FloridaMorons ride that will take you on a wild journey from the crowded beaches to the chaotic hospitals, then finish at the overfilled ice truck morgues.
— Evan (@skinnycoolkid) April 18, 2020
It’s like even God is now telling people to stay indoors. #FloridaMorons pic.twitter.com/oz2BHAtD47
— MakeTeaNotWar123 (@NotWar123) April 18, 2020
Florida is populated by a bunch of people who were fraudulently sold swampland by organized crime several generations ago. #FloridaMorons
— Benjamin Franklin🆘 (@benFranklin2018) April 18, 2020
A few years ago, I saw that there were people who prefer environmentally-less-efficient lightbulbs *because* they are worse for the environment.
What we’re seeing on Florida’s beaches today is a segment of the U.S. population that is pro-destruction, pro-failure. #FloridaMorons pic.twitter.com/IEBB9RmCuL
— JRehling (@JRehling) April 18, 2020
If Trump & DeSantis tell you to jump in and swim would you? #FloridaMorons pic.twitter.com/OpGNfw8I2s
— Eric P (@EricP4Life) April 18, 2020
Florida Department of Health said confirmed cases in the state rose by 1,421 Friday, the highest one-day number yet.
Florida officials, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, were criticized early on in the pandemic for not closing the beaches during spring break.
Shocking photos from March showed huge crowds frolicking on the sand and ignoring social distancing advice.
Curry’s move means residents can go to the beaches as long as they adhere to social distancing guidelines.