Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing for a permanent ban on all mask and Covid vaccine mandates — the latest glimpse into his anti-vigilante vision for America.
The so-called “common sense” bill would prohibit businesses, government agencies or schools from requiring employees or students to be vaccinated or masked indoors.
Governor DeSantis – who has positioned himself as a staunch opponent of government-approved Covid rules – has announced plans to lift Florida out of the “biomedical safety state”.
It’s the latest example of Gov. DeSantis claiming to be a contrarian on the Covid policy after announcing last month that he intends to petition the state Supreme Court for a grand jury to investigate how the Covid vaccines have been introduced and marketed.
DeSantis told supporters in Panama City Beach on Tuesday that his goal is to protect Florida from the “biomedical security state” by permanently banning COVID-19 vaccines and masks.
Governor DeSantis told to an enthusiastic audience Tuesday in Panama City Beach: “It’s just crazy that we’re still doing this…
“We must take the lead in putting all of these protections permanently in Florida statute, as we must do in the upcoming legislative session.”
The state parliament will meet in March for its 2023 session, in which the draft law will be debated.
DeSantis continued, “We also believe that being able to live your life and breathe fresh air should essentially be a civil right.
“You shouldn’t have any of these mask requirements on you.”
The bill would indefinitely extend provisions in a 2021 law that prohibit companies that all Florida entities, from government offices to private employers to schools, from mandating vaccines.
The rules allow workers to undergo regular Covid tests instead of receiving the vaccine. Employees may also make medical or religious exceptions to vaccination requirements.
The fines for companies that violated the ban were high. Small businesses with 99 employees or fewer are fined $10,000 per violation by an employee, while larger employers are fined $50,000 per violation.
The law also prohibited school districts from requiring students and staff to wear masks and from quarantining healthy students who may have been exposed to the virus.
Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, a vocal skeptic of Covid vaccines, reiterated his claim that masks are not effective in preventing the spread of Covid and denounced the vaccines
According to polls, DeSantis would defeat Biden if an election were held today
Governor DeSantis, who has not yet announced his presidential bid, should have the support of 45 percent of likely voters to Biden’s 42.
Those penalties would be set in stone with the passage of this law.
“It’s crazy, it’s irrational, and so there’s no discrimination regarding that Vax status, no requirement to mask in leiu or vax or any other reason, that’s really, really important,” Governor DeSantis said continued
DeSantis has risen to party prominence since his narrow gubernatorial victory in 2018, positioning himself as a conservative interest eager to confront the liberal policies of state leaders like Calfornia Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“Sometimes you just have to say enough is enough, and you think it’s enough, but you’re still seeing it across the country,” Governor DeSantis told the crowd.
Governor DeSantis was joined by another figure known for his vaccine and veiled skepticism: Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo.
Dr. Ladapo has condemned the widespread use of mRNA technology, which he says is untested and unsafe.
The mRNA vaccines have proven to be safe and very effective at preventing serious disease, but not so well at preventing infection.
Children are at minimal risk of contracting Covid and there is minimal risk of heart inflammation after vaccination in young people – nuanced discussion of minor disorder.
Governor DeSantis surpassed former President Trump in a poll that said he would run for the highest office in 2024.
Democratic State House Speaker Fentrice Driskell of Tampa condemned Gov. DeSantis’ administration for spreading misinformation about the vaccines, which he strongly and explicitly advocated in 2021.
His stance as an anti-babysitter culture warrior has catapulted Gov. DeSantis to the top of most 2024 Republican fantasy maps.
The GOP firm Ragnar Research Partners released poll results last month showing Republican voters favoring a whopping 86 percent.
Meanwhile, a YouGov poll of 413 Republicans and Republican-leaning independents found DeSantis overtook former President Trump as the party’s nominee within two years, 42 percent to 35 percent.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
