Florida has an issue with Miami-Dade sharing omicron data with the public? Puh-leeze! | Editorial
Omicron is now the dominant strain of COVID in Miami-Dade County. The highly transmissible variant is driving the surge in cases here. We know that because Miami-Dade County’s mayor announced it, giving all of us critical information as we assess the risk of getting together over the holidays.
So why, then, was this the reaction of the Florida Department of Health?
“It is unfortunate that the county has decided it is more important to share these data with the press rather than coordinating with the Florida Department of Health or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” said Weesam Khoury, director of communications for the health department.
She continued by saying that the department “can only make determinations based on verifiable evidence” and added that, “It would benefit the state of Florida and the entire scientific community if these local officials uploaded their sequencing data into a transparent and verifiable data base.”
Seriously? This is from the same department that Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, has slow-rolled COVID data for almost two years, forced news organizations — including this one — to file lawsuits to get public information on the pandemic in Florida and, in early June, stopped publishing extensive daily data on infections and deaths by county, triggering yet another suit.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, a Democrat, armed county residents with information they need, when they need it, to help them stay safe. It was the right thing to do, whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican. Too bad the state can’t stop wagging its finger long enough to see that.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat's an editorial?
Editorials are opinion pieces that reflect the views of the Miami Herald Editorial Board, a group of opinion journalists that operates separately from the Miami Herald newsroom. Miami Herald Editorial Board members are: opinion editor Amy Driscoll and editorial writers Isadora Rangel and Mary Anna Mancuso. Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
What's the difference between an op-ed and a column?
How does the Miami Herald Editorial Board decide what to write about?
The Editorial Board, made up of experienced opinion journalists, primarily addresses local and state issues that affect South Florida residents. Each board member has an area of focus, such as education, COVID or local government policy. Board members meet daily and bring up an array of topics for discussion. Once a topic is fully discussed, board members will further report the issue, interviewing stakeholders and others involved and affected, so that the board can present the most informed opinion possible. We strive to provide our community with thought leadership that advocates for policies and priorities that strengthen our communities. Our editorials promote social justice, fairness in economic, educational and social opportunities and an end to systemic racism and inequality. The Editorial Board is separate from the reporters and editors of the Miami Herald newsroom.
How can I contribute to the Miami Herald Opinion section?
The Editorial Board accepts op-ed submissions of 650-700 words from community members who want to argue a specific viewpoint or idea that is relevant to our area. You can email an op-ed submission to oped@miamiherald.com. We also accept 150-word letters to the editor from readers who want to offer their points of view on current issues. For more information on how to submit a letter, go here.
This story was originally published December 21, 2021 at 1:19 PM.