MIAMI (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday criticized recent U. S. efforts to curb the recent surge in COVID-19 cases through transient or masking restrictions, and his state’s surgeon general warned he opposes getting the newest COVID-19 vaccine. which is expected to be available this month.
DeSantis’ complaint at a news conference in Jacksonville, Florida, came on the same day his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination sent an email to supporters vowing to “retaliate against any and all false attempts by the left to expand. “of the government” regarding COVID-19 precautions.
At the Jacksonville press conference in an Irish pub, DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo promised that Florida would not enroll U. S. states, cities or school districts in temporarily permanent schools or require masks to be worn due to the recent surge in COVID-19. . 19 cases.
“People are resorting to this madness again,” DeSantis said. “As we see that those things are being orchestrated . . . We have to react. “
Lapado said there is no argument in favor of the newer vaccine. “There are a lot of red flags,” he said.
Ladapo’s past warnings about COVID-19 vaccines have merited a public letter from federal fitness agencies stating that his claims were destructive to the public. The U. S. Food and Drug Administrationand the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sent the letter in March to Ladapo, a DeSantis appointee who drew national scrutiny because of his close alignment with the governor in his opposition to COVID-19 vaccination mandates and health policies followed by the federal government.
Ladapo issued rules last year recommending that physically fit youth not get vaccinated against COVID-19, contradicting federal public health leaders whose recommendation says all young people get vaccinated.
“It is the duty of public health officials across the country to the lives of the populations they serve, especially the most vulnerable. Fueling vaccine hesitancy undermines this effort,” read the letter signed by FDA Commissioner Robert Califf and CDC Director at the time. Rochelle Walensky.
DeSantis’ news conference in Jacksonville came about two weeks after three black people were shot and killed by a 21-year-old white supremacist who the government says left ramblings that resemble “a madman’s diary. “After the shooting, DeSantis was booed by the crowd during his speech.
This year, DeSantis signed a bill allowing others to carry guns without obtaining a state permit. He disappointed civil rights leaders by mocking the “awakening. “
During a question-and-answer era at Thursday’s news conference, an unidentified man reported that the governor’s policies contributed to the shooting. The governor responded angrily, saying he can’t be blamed for the movements of a “madman. “
“I’m going to allow myself to be charged with committing criminal activity,” DeSantis said. “I’m going to accept that!