Dear Gov. DeSantis: We represent many of the major news organizations in Florida. We, like you, have been working around-the-clock to get important information about the COVID-19 crisis to Floridians. We appreciate the efforts you and your team have made to keep the public informed and provide access to decision makers. At the same time, we are concerned that the current setup for media availability in Tallahassee is not in line with the best safety practices of social distancing -- an issue for our reporters and visual journalists as well as you and your staff. The briefing room at the Emergency Operations Center is typically packed with reporters in a room about 15-20 feet wide. Reporters are seated in chairs close together. At the Wednesday briefing, there were 22 reporters and photographers in the room. For the last several days, reporters have been asked if they had a fever or cough or had recently traveled internationally. And more recently, staff used a no-touch thermometer to take the temperature of journalists, but quickly concluded the measurements were not accurate. We’d ask, respectfully, that the state move these briefings to a larger space to accommodate all reporters in person and at recommended distances. Alternatively, we would ask that the state set up a small pool of reporters for each briefing along with the ability for the governor and staff to take questions from press corps members outside the room through a live-stream. Either option, or a combination of both, would preserve access to these critical meetings and ensure a safer environment for all concerned. Regards, Julie Anderson Editor-in-Chief Orlando​ Sun​ Sentinel/South Florida Sun Sentinel Mark Katches Executive Editor Tampa Bay Times Aminda Marques Gonzalez President & Publisher/Executive Editor Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald/Bradenton Herald Nicholas Moschella Executive Editor Palm Beach Post