California has some of the highest COVID restrictions in the nation, whereas Florida has lifted many of its restrictions, including restaurants and schools. Let’s explore the facts. As of 03/09/2021, there are 16 states that have lifted COVID restrictions/mask mandates.
CALIFORNIA | FLORIDA | |
Total Cases Overall | 3,620,000 | 1,980,000 |
Total deaths (03/15/20-03/14/21) | 56,351 | 32,254 |
Schools | Six million students in distance learning.A projected cost (incentive) of at least $2 billion just to open TK-2nd grade classes by 04/01/21. | All schools open as of October 2020. |
Restaurants/Dining | Nearly 95% statewide shutdown of indoor dining. | All restaurants and dining open as of June 2020. |
2020 Year-End Report: Losers | 1.6 million job loss. Business property values plummet by 30%. Unemployment rate 9%. >111,000 callers to LifeLine (suicide helpline) from Jan-Jun 2020. | |
2020 Year-End Report: Winners | California State: tax collection $10.5 billion ahead of schedule, billions in federal money is paying hotels for rooms for homeless and meal delivery services for seniors and homeless. Billionaires and large corporations: wealth increased by $1.3 trillion. Ventura County public official: pay raised by 12.5% during the pandemic. | Florida constituents: recovered >60% of lost jobs. Suicide rates dropped by 13%. |