JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The number of doctors to sign on to an open letter addressed to Jacksonvilles Mayor and City Council asking for masks and social distancing at the Republican National Convention in August has more than doubled since News4Jax first learned about it Saturday. The response was truly overwhelming, said Dr. Nancy Staats, a retired doctor who wrote the letter and sent it out to colleagues. Staats moved to Jacksonville around two-and-a-half years ago from New Jersey. Members of Mayor Lenny Currys staff also spoke about this issue during Mondays announcement that the city would be requiring masks in public. Delaney responded: I think every mayor wakes up, trying to find a way to help the economy and bring more jobs to town.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. As of Sunday morning, the city had not received a letter signed by about 200 physicians who have concerns about bringing the Republican National Convention to Jacksonville, according to a city spokesperson. The physicians, many of whom are from Northeast Florida, signed the letter to Mayor Lenny Curry and City Council, asking for the convention to be postponed or reduced in size and for the city to immediately mandate the use of masks and social distancing before the convention. On Sunday morning, city spokesperson Nikki Kimbleton sent News4Jax a statement, saying they had not yet received the letter. Mayor Curry continues to work with closely with the CEOs and additional leadership from all area hospitals, speaking with them daily and listening to their valued feedback. Of those polled, 71% said they are very or somewhat concerned about the spread of the coronavirus during the convention.