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Jacksonville Doctor Surprised By Pandemic Politics

The COVID-19 vaccination center at Regency Square mall is pictured.
BILL BORTZFIELD / WJCT NEWS
The COVID-19 vaccination center at Regency Square mall is pictured.

It was one year ago on March 11, 2020 that the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. 

The chief of the Division of Community and Societal Pediatrics at UF Health Jacksonville, Dr. Jeffrey Goldhagen, said he has been most surprised by how politicized the virus - and American’s response to it has become.

Goldhagen said Thursday on First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross that we can see the different approaches that were taken to the deadly disease.

“Even within our own six county region, Duval County [Mayor Lenny Curry] implemented a mask requirement early, which was courageous and the appropriate approach.  Other counties around did not.”    

Goldhagen warns this is not the last pandemic, since there are many viruses lurking out there. 

The rest of the entire interview with Dr. Goldhagen is available on Thursday’s First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross.

Michelle Corum can be reached at mcorum@wjct.org, 904-358-6308 or on Twitter at @MCorumonME.