I was going to say yes...but on a population basis, CA has just under 2x the population of FL...and only a little bit under 2x the COVID-related fatality rate of FL (assuming fatality rates are accurate). IOW: very similar per capita death rates accounting for significant digits.

OTOH, the article makes it seem like an either/or. Many places in CA also reopened its restaurants last summer for indoor dining before closing them again, and restaurants have been open for dining for months in CA.

The big difference between the two states is the aftermath of COVID: CA's economy has recovered faster than any other states' economy, while FL is facing an impending crisis due to the complete loss of the cruise-related tourism industry (which represents more than 7% of its GDP, including both wages and spending by tourists).