Biden COVID adviser can't explain why closed California isn't doing better than open Florida

Fox News.com ^ | 2/17/2021 | Bradford Betz

[Beave Meister]

Data from Johns Hopkins University shows California has reported nearly 3.5 million COVID-19 cases in total, while Florida has reported more than 1.82 million.

White House COVID-19 adviser Andy Slavitt appeared stumped Wednesday when asked on MSNBC to explain California and Florida’s similar COVID-19 trends, despite having wildly different responses to the pandemic.

Slavitt said the virus was still very unpredictable and "a little bit beyond our explanation."

"What we do know is that the more careful people are, the more they mask and social distance. And the quicker we vaccinate, the quicker it goes away and the less it spreads," Slavitt said, noting that variants make it harder to predict.

"As we all have learned … this is a virus that continues to surprise us. It’s very hard to predict. And all around the country, we’ve got to continue to do a better job, and I think we are, but we’re done yet."

California has emerged as one of the strictest states in the nation, with Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, shutting down businesses and schools. His administration said it was implementing these measures based on counties’ ICU capacity.

Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, has taken an entirely different approach. Though he took similar measures to Newsom early on in the pandemic, he eventually lifted statewide restrictions on the economy and prohibited law enforcement from fining people.

[Beave Meister]

If hungry cannibals were to crack their skulls open, there wouldn't be enough brains to put on a oyster cracker...

[Steely Tom]

Slavitt said the virus was still very unpredictable and "a little bit beyond our explanation."

Well, ya gotta follow the science.

[Artcore]

They will never, ever let this thing go! They will lie, and distort actual science to keep this ridiculous thing going. Think masks are going away? Think again!

I’d also like to say a very sincere FU to all the FReepers who did their part in pushing this bull sh*t on America!

[Travis McGee]

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Because it’s all been a big, effing LIE?

LIBERATE WISCONSIN! LIBERATE AMERICA!

[chopperk]

Has the advisor ever thought of the unvetted illegal aliens arriving into Ca. everyday.

[Fungi]

Bingo!!!

[Texas Eagle]

"What we do know is that the more careful people are, the more they mask and social distance. And the quicker we vaccinate, the quicker it goes away and the less it spreads," Slavitt said, noting that variants make it harder to predict. "As we all have learned … this is a virus that continues to surprise us. It’s very hard to predict. And all around the country, we’ve got to continue to do a better job, and I think we are, but we’re done yet."

If you can't dazzle 'em with brilliance.....

[BrexitBen]

It’s the damn face masks.

Rebreathing exhaled air is very unhealthy.

Has anyone compiled statistics on the increased number of simple headaches ?

[budj]

Translation: we have no idea what the hell’s going on.

[ifinnegan]

They can’t overcome their magical thinking.

[TigersEye]

"What we do know is that the more careful people are, the more they mask and social distance."

If that is the reason for the difference between CA and FL that must mean that conservatives treated like adults are more careful than liberals treated like children.

Which is true even though I don't think that is the reason for the difference.

[stylin19a]

when asked on MSNBC to explain California and Florida’s similar COVID-19 trends, despite having wildly different responses to the pandemic.

Slavitt said the virus was still very unpredictable and "a little bit beyond our explanation."

Yet he says this with a straight face?

"What we do know is that the more careful people are, the more they mask and social distance. And the quicker we vaccinate, the quicker it goes away and the less it spreads," Slavitt said, noting that variants make it harder to predict."

[olivia3boys]

Here is my best guess. Latinos in CA, from Mexico, like crowded indoor parties and don’t wash their hands often (I’ve heard that handwashing is more key than many realize) and crowd together in cramped housing. Latinos in FL, from Cuba and Venezuela etc, don’t?

Different habits of different Latino groups?

[olivia3boys]

Keeping outdoor dining open keeps people outside, where the virus doesn’t spread.

Banning outdoor (and indoor) dining drives people indoors into private crowded parties.

[zeugma]

I’d also like to say a very sincere FU to all the FReepers who did their part in pushing this bull sh*t on America!

I'll second that.

[Secret Agent Man]

can’t admot to the shamdemic

“lid day”

[adorno]

Well, ya gotta follow the science.

You have to understand the way liberals use 'science'.

Liberals believe that, talking about 'following the science', makes them immune from questioning of their policies and idiocy.

In reality, one's skepticism radar should always set off a very loud alarm, whenever a liberal uses the word 'science' or 'follow the science'. Every time they use the word or phrase, you know they're lying their asses off.

If you question the 'science' they mention, you're either a racist or want to kill the environment and all of its life forms.

[Mariner]

It’s because CA is not really closed.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Newsom and Hogan: we gotta stay shut down!

De Santis: