200 Florida doctors pen open letter to Jacksonville mayor, calling RNC 'medically disrespectful'

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Across Florida, hundreds of doctors are adding their signatures to a letter over the decision to hold the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville. 

The letter is addressed to the city's mayor, Lenny Curry, and the city council, noting the recent surge in cases. It calls the move to hold the event, "medically disrespectful to the citizens" of Jacksonville, reports First Coast News. 

The group is asked for the RNC to be postponed or significantly reduced in size, based on the recommendations set forth by the CDC and Florida Surgeon General when it comes to social distancing and crowds. 

The letter points out that more than 40,000 people are expected to attend from around the U.S. 

"Allowing this number of people to descend on Jacksonville is unequivocally provocative of disease, predictably harmful, and medically disrespectful to the citizens of this city, much less the rest of the country," the letter said. 

The doctors warn there could be an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, long-term health problems and deaths if the RNC is held without restrictions.

"At greatest risk are our most vulnerable populations: the poor, the elderly, and those with underlying conditions," the letter said. "Others most likely to be affected include our health care workers at all levels, our first responders, our service workers, and airport workers."

They are also asking for Jacksonville to mandate the use of masks, similar to other large Florida cities, such as Miami, Tampa and Orlando. 

The full letter can be viewed below: 

"Dear Mayor Curry and Jacksonville City Council:

Recent statistics show that the number of Covid-19 infections and hospitalizations are increasing in Florida, including Jacksonville.  As the economy has opened up, the number of Covid -19 cases in Jacksonville has increased substantially; local restaurants and bars have had to close again because of  this. Florida, Texas, and California are the new “hot spots” for Covid-19.  

As physicians, we have trained many years for one purpose – to help cure the sick and diminish suffering.  We are very concerned. This is a new virus, and we unfortunately have neither a vaccine, nor a particularly effective treatment. The good news is that both the Florida Surgeon General and the CDC have guidelines for reducing spread of the virus: maintain social distancing of 6 feet and wear a face mask in any public space, unless outdoors, and strictly adhere  to social distancing.  In addition, both recommend no groups of more than 50 people should gather, and particularly not indoors.

Unfortunately, for some, a face mask has become a political statement.  This is irrational and meant to sow division.  The enemy is this virus, not each other. There are ways of encouraging compliance short of making it a criminal offense, and it’s working in hundreds of cities worldwide.

The Republican National Convention (RNC) is scheduled in Jacksonville for late August. It is estimated that more than 40,000 people, including the press and protestors, will attend from all over the US. Allowing this number of people to descend on Jacksonville is unequivocally provocative of disease, predictably harmful, and medically disrespectful to the citizens of this city, much less the rest of the country. There will be increased hospitalizations, long-term health problems, and deaths. At greatest risk are our most vulnerable populations: the poor, the elderly, and those with underlying conditions. Others most likely to be affected include our health care workers at all levels, our first responders, our service workers, and airport workers.

It is extremely dangerous and contrary to current public health recommendations to stage a large event in an area where the number of cases is surging.  The RNC should be postponed or very significantly reduced in numbers because of these risks.  In addition, Jacksonville should follow the leads of Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and other cities in Florida, along with Texas and California, in immediately (before a convention) mandating the use of masks and social distancing."