People are protesting the shelter-in-place order outside the Orange County administration building

Updated: April 18 | WKMG's Erik Sandoval survived the protest! He reached out to say how: "I was at least 50-75 feet away ... I was practicing as much social distancing as they were not. Staying safe. Cheers!!"

Updated: April 17, 4:30 p.m. | During the press conference, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings was asked about the protesters outside, and responded, in part: "In my humble opinion, it's much of a circus. Perhaps one person has the right to risk their health and safety, but they don't have the right to endanger the health and safety of others in the community. I wouldn't want to play Russian roulette with myself like that."

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer added, "So, there are some people that don't accept science or facts, and I suspect that's a bunch of them that are out front. What I'd probably do is suggest they speak to family members of someone who has died of COVID-19. Maybe that would wake them up a little bit."
–

Very brave reporter Erik Sandoval of WKMG Channel 6 just tweeted photos taken Friday afternoon of protesters outside the Orange County administration building.

They're holding signs saying "Re-Open Schools, Re-Open Florida," "Practice Media Distancing," and "Everyone's in Denial." One man in the photo is holding a "Don't Tread on Me" Gadsden flag.

People gathered outside @OrangeCoFL bldg to protest Stay At Home order @news6wkmg pic.twitter.com/WKhkzm9pma

— Erik Sandoval (@ErikSandoval) April 17, 2020

Approximately 15 adults and two children are visible in the photo, outside the building at 201 S. Rosalind Ave. downtown. Then you see the video Sandoval shared 20 minutes later, with many, many more people present, and none wearing masks.

One protester's sign reads, "My Body My Choice Goes For Vaccines Too."

Conservatives have been intensifying efforts to reopen businesses and beaches in Florida, despite the state's rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Approximately one out of every 890 Floridans have tested positive.

Just hope Sandoval and other media on the scene are taking precautions. Ignorance is not contagious, but COVID-19 certainly is.

Demonstrators are chanting “open up the state” in downtown Orlando @news6wkmg pic.twitter.com/rtMYiMOXKU

— Erik Sandoval (@ErikSandoval) April 17, 2020

_
Please follow CDC guidelines and Orange County advisories to stay safe, and please support this free publication.