I think the checkpoints were basically retaliation against states - like New York - that tried to blame Florida and Florida travel for “the virus.” If you were coming from a nearby state like GA, they waved you through, and much of the time they were closed anyway. In other words, it was sort of a PR stunt meant to make it clear that Florida was not the source and that it was “taking precautions.”
“I think the checkpoints were basically retaliation against states - like New York - that tried to blame Florida and Florida travel for ‘the virus.’”
If that’s the case, then ... hooray for Florida! NYS did everything wrong so it’s good that someone made them hurt a bit.