On Thursday, March 16th, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held a news conference in Polk County.[0] Florida has been particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 7.5 million cases and 87,000 deaths since the outbreak began.[1] DeSantis was accompanied by Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, who DeSantis appointed, who stated that the decisions made for the state were “absolutely correct”.[1]
Dr. Ladapo also expressed his opinion that the mRNA Covid vaccine has a “terrible safety profile” and that he is “not sure if anyone should be taking them”.[2] This statement was met with backlash from the CDC and Food and Drug Administration who sent him a letter warning him that his claims about COVID vaccine risks were harmful to the public.[3]
DeSantis has also made it clear that Florida will not be joining the states that have pre-ordered vaccines for children under five years old, which has been met with criticism from the Florida Democratic Party.[4] Spokeswoman Devon Cruz stated that “DeSantis’s extreme approach to the COVID-19 pandemic has left Floridians with less options to protect themselves and their children, all in the name of right-wing culture wars”.[4] Federal guidelines recommend that children receive COVID-19 vaccine, but only states can require it as a part of school immunizations.[3]
0. “WATCH: Gov. Ron DeSantis criticizes COVID-19 lockdown orders in Winter Haven” msnNOW, 16 Mar. 2023, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/watch-gov-ron-desantis-criticizes-covid-19-lockdown-orders-in-winter-haven/ar-AA18HSSn
1. “DeSantis says he prevented ‘Faucian dystopia’” The Hill, 16 Mar. 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3904287-desantis-says-he-prevented-faucian-dystopia/
2. “DeSantis calls out Fauci, Birx, ’15 Days to Slow the Spread’ on three-year anniversary” Florida’s Voice, 16 Mar. 2023, https://flvoicenews.com/desantis-calls-out-fauci-birx-15-days-to-slow-the-spread-on-three-year-anniversary/
3. “DeSantis says COVID vaccines will never be required school immunizations in Florida” WUSF Public Media, 17 Mar. 2023, https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/politics-issues/2023-03-17/desantis-says-covid-vaccines-will-never-be-required-school-immunizations-in-florida
4. “Gov. DeSantis marks 3-year pandemic anniversary with COVID-19 policy victory lap” Florida Politics, 16 Mar. 2023, https://floridapolitics.com/archives/595956-gov-desantis-marks-3-year-pandemic-anniversary-with-covid-19-policy-victory-lap
