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By Evelyn Romo |

VP Pence Urges Young People to Wear Masks, Praises Gov. DeSantis on COVID Testing

Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis
(AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

UPDATE:

During his visit to Tampa on Thursday, Vice President Mike Pence reminded everyone, especially young people, to wear a mask over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

The vice president added that he realizes young people, who have a “strong, independent streak,” want to socialize over the holiday weekend, but urged them to be responsible in order to protect their parents and grandparents.

“Wear a mask if you’re not able to practice social distancing or wear a mask if state and local authorities direct you to do so,” Pence said.

He met with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whom he praised for the five million new jobs that have been created in the state, and efforts to “continue to rebuild our economy.”

In terms of the coronavirus, Pence told DeSantis, “We’re with you. We’re gonna make sure you have whatever you need. We fully support your prudent steps in working to slow the spread.

The vice president also said Florida is performing around 60,000 COVID-19 tests per day, and thanked DeSantis for his “innovative efforts” to expand testing.

“We’re gonna continue to find ways to scale testing all across the state. To go from diagnostic testing to even surveillance testing,” Pence said.

According to the latest numbers from the Florida Department of Health on Thursday, there are 169,106 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, which is a record increase of 10,109 cases from Wednesday.

Still, the vice president said, “We’re in a much better place thanks to the leadership of President Trump. The innovation of American industry.”

DeSantis’ main message to Floridians going into the holiday weekend is to avoid enclosed spaces, crowds, and close contact situations.

“In Florida, when it’s hot, people retreat into the A/C,” DeSantis said. “They get close together, they have a party. You’re much off being in the 95 degree heat than being in that enclosed space with poor ventilation.”

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ORIGINAL STORY:

Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to visit Florida on Thursday to speak with Gov. Ron DeSantis about the latest efforts to combat the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Florida’s cases reported Wednesday were third in the nation behind California with 9,740 and Texas with 8,076.

The two will hold news conference at USF Health in Tampa at 3 p.m.