Pence speaking to economic group as calls for coronavirus response grow louder

Vice President Mike Pence is in Palm Beach County Friday, capping a week dominated by concerns about the global coronavirus outbreak.

© ANTONIO FINS/palmbeachpost.com/The Palm Beach Post, Fla./TNS Vice President Mike Pence arrived Friday at Palm Beach International Airport. [ANTONIO FINS/palmbeachpost.com]

Pence is speaking at the Club for Growth annual conference. Pence's staff said the vice president is scheduled to meet with Gov. Ron DeSantis this afternoon before departing for Sarasota.

The vice president arrived at Palm Beach International Airport before noon. He spent a few minutes greeting a couple dozen supporters on the tarmac before departing for The Breakers.

The vice president's visit comes as the Dow Jones industrial average on Wall Street again is hundreds of points in the red near the close of a five-day trading stretch that is the worst since the 2008 financial crisis.

At the heart of the Dow Jones industrial average's plunge are fears that the coronavirus spread will cause worldwide economic disruptions. Two days ago, President Trump named Pence to lead the U.S. government's efforts to combat the virus.

On Friday, Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott asked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide information on "security protocol and resources at Florida's airports and seaports" in the wake of coronavirus cases being reported in Brazil and Mexico.

© ANTONIO FINS/palmbeachpost.com/The Palm Beach Post, Fla./TNS Vice President Mike Pence arrived Friday at Palm Beach International Airport. [ANTONIO FINS/palmbeachpost.com]

Scott said he is "extremely concerned" about the cases "given the rate of travel between these countries and Florida."

In particular, Scott said he wants to know if federal authorities may impose travel restrictions in the hemisphere, implement new screening efforts, and to find out if additional U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel will be assigned to Florida international entry points.

Florida Democrats blasted Pence's "fundraising" foray in Florida on Friday given the growing fears of a coronavirus pandemic.

© ANTONIO FINS/palmbeachpost.com/The Palm Beach Post, Fla./TNS Vice President Mike Pence arrived Friday at Palm Beach International Airport. [ANTONIO FINS/palmbeachpost.com]

"The Trump administration's backwards priorities are on full display — Pence is coming to fundraise in Florida two days after being appointed to lead our national response on the coronavirus," said state party chair Terrie Rizzo. "Trump's carelessness with our health and safety is deeply alarming."

U.S. Rep Donna Shalala, D-Miami, said Pence should not be diverting his attention from the global health crisis.

"Rather than focusing his attention on leading the country's response to the growing coronavirus concern, Vice President Pence is instead spending his time flying to and from fundraisers," said Shalala, who served as Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Bill Clinton. "The people of America deserve an effective and coordinated response."

© ANTONIO FINS/palmbeachpost.com/The Palm Beach Post, Fla./TNS Vice President Mike Pence arrived Friday at Palm Beach International Airport. [ANTONIO FINS/palmbeachpost.com]

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