Tampa Bay protesters do pushups in front of courthouse to prove they need gyms to do pushups

Phase 2 of DeSantis’ plan will allow for gyms to reopen, as well as bars, but at 75% capacity and strict sanitation and social distancing rules.


This morning, protesters gathered outside of the Pinellas County courthouse to do pushups and squats, and demand that the state allow gyms to reopen so that they can proceed to do these exercises.

As first reported by WFLA and perfectly captured by its helicopter cam, aerial footage shows a group of 20 to 30 gym enthusiasts in Clearwater holding signs, chanting, and successfully exercising on the sidewalk, while also not wearing masks or standing six-feet apart. 

As you can see in the video, some of the signs included in the protest read "Freedom not Fear," while others promoted local gyms like 9 Round Fitness in Largo. 

Florida is currently in phase one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ reopening plan, which allows for retail and restaurants to open with some restrictions, but not gyms. Phase two of DeSantis’ plan will allow for gyms to reopen, as well as bars, but at 75% capacity and strict sanitation and social distancing rules.

However, as of now, there’s no time table for when this will actually happen.

In the meantime, apparently the best way to prove to the public that you need your gym to workout is to show the public that you don’t need your gym to workout.

Last weekend, Florida logged 595 new cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the total to 40,596 and 1,721 deaths. 

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