Ron is right. Floridians have the right to be free. They have the right to decide not to get vaccinated, to become hospitalized, and to spread the disease to their children, friends, and co-works. They have the freedom to all that, but it is a leader's job during a deadly pandemic to discourage dangerous choices.
Some Florida school districts are defying DeSantis's highly dangerous executive order.
A record-breaking 23,903 new Covid-19 cases were reported in Florida on Friday, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This marks the third time this week that Florida has surpassed its record of new daily Covid-19 cases.
ABC News reports, "This weekend, some of Florida's largest school districts have moved to require masks for students, the latest in a weeklong saga that began when
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order aimed at preventing districts from mandating face coverings for kids.
"However, the mandates -- issued by districts including Hillsborough (Tampa), Orange (Orlando), and Palm Beach -- come with a catch: parents are allowed to opt their children out of them, without providing a reason."
DeSantis is trying to salvage his ludicrous order while attempting to save face as the nation laughs at him when not crying in frustration over the menacing order.
ABC continues, "Giving the choice to opt out complies with an
emergency rule issued Saturday by the Florida Department of Health, which told districts they must give parents the option.
"The state's biggest school district, Miami-Dade, has not announced whether it will mandate face coverings for students. Its latest protocols, issued July 29, require them on school buses but not inside school buildings.
"Broward Public Schools, the state's second-largest district, has not updated its guidance from Wednesday, which said masks are required for students. The guidance did not mention the choice of opting out.
"Some large school districts, like Polk, Pinellas, and Lee, are making masks optional for students, according to their most updated guidance."
Put a different way, DeSantis's order has thrown Florida school districts into a sea of confusion.
Fox News reports, "For DeSantis, a potential 2024 Republican presidential contender, the give and take with the president has a very obvious political payoff –
it only increases his popularity among GOP base voters who will cast ballots in the next race for the Republican presidential nomination."
Incredible!
Is the Republican base really that stupid? We don't know. When it comes to real issues, they don't say much.