One in Four Floridians Say They Won’t Stay Home If They’re Sick

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By Giselle Balido

May 11, 2020

Despite the still growing number of cases across the Sunshine State, some people are disregarding official health orders.

The Florida Department of Health has announced the results of a survey that shows a concerning trend happening across the state: a significant number of Floridians aren’t following important official health safety measures put in place to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Launched by the FDH in an effort to better identify and predict coronavirus trends in Florida and “flatten the curve,” the StrongerThanC-19 community action survey asks participants seven key questions, including if they are taking steps to prevent the spread of the virus.

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As of Friday afternoon, 324,208 Floridians and non-Florida residents, or about 1.5% of the population of the state, had completed the survey. However, it is important to note that survey participants do not reflect the areas that have been most affected by the pandemic. Miami-Dade County, for example, which has seen the most cases and deaths with 13,664 total cases and 468 fatalities, was the eighth county with most surveys taken (about 12,400).

What the Numbers Reveal

The report shows that for some residents of the Sunshine State, hoarding toilet paper and disinfecting wipes seem to be all the precautions they are taking at this time. Despite the still growing number of cases across the state, some people are disregarding health official orders to stay at home and practice social distancing, as well as requests to sanitize and keep up with the updates released from their organizations.

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Of those surveyed:

  •  22.5% say they don’t clean or disinfect frequently.
  • 25.8% said they would not stay at home if they’re sick.
  • More than 50% of the participants said they haven’t been consulting the CDC, Florida Department of Health or their doctors.
  • 35,818 answered they have symptoms, 12,563 said they feel sick, and 882 said they traveled while feeling sick.
  • 94,838 believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19, while 229,370 said they were not exposed. Additionally, 5,848 said they were exposed and 88,990 of those surveyed were not sure.
  • Asked if they would seek medical care (though the survey did not specify the context or reasoning of seeking care) 305,885 participants responded that they would not. The survey does not ask participants if they will or have been tested.

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CATEGORIES: Coronavirus | Florida | Health | Local | Safety

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