Governor Ron DeathSantis is bad for Floridians

Message from Chair Donna Hart

 Osceola County DEC Press Release on Governor DeSantis
August 2021

Do Nothing DeSantis threatens lives with his inaction.
I am writing to support the position that Orange County Democratic Executive committee brought forth regarding the no mask mandate. The Osceola County DEC shares their position.

We know of three ways that are medically proven to deal with the pandemic: Social Distancing, Face Masks, and Vaccines. If our governor was a true leader, he would model all three. In fact, he is vaccinated although he doesn't publicize that fact, and because of that, he doesn't practice the other two methods. Let's look at each of these separately, and how it affects our citizens.

1. Social distancing. Governor DeSantis has placed UNNEEDED REGULATIONS on Florida businesses that they cannot ask patrons to wear a mask essentially DENYNG them the FREEDOM to protect their customers and employees.  Strike one.

2. Face masks. Gov. DeSantis has always mocked wearing masks, and sells campaign items that say “Don’t Fauci our Florida.” He mandates that schools may never require masks, including for children who are too young to be vaccinated. Children who will no doubt bring the virus home to their parents and grandparents, if they become infected. Social Distancing is likely IMPOSSIBLE on a bus, a major physical and scheduling challenge in lunchrooms and a serious logistical problem in the classroom. Yet, now the governor  makes it worse by denying schools the FREEDOM to protect its students from the virus -- through simple masking.
Strike two.

3. Vaccines. While Gov. DeSantis initially worked to help seniors get vaccinated, he has failed to make a push for the rest of our population. Many other governors have appealed to reason and the common good, and even offered incentives, to achieve a much higher vaccination rate. Rather than traveling the state to encourage vaccinations, he has been traveling out of state to promote his own national name recognition. Strike three. Florida strikes out!

Is this the governor’s plan to control and minimize the effects of Covid-19:  Let's just go against medical science and roll the dice? Basically, the plan is do nothing at all. Citizens and reporters need to demand an answer from Gov. DeSantis: “What is your plan for Covid?”

Should Floridians accept a do nothing governor, with no plan to protect them?  We think not! 
 

Donna Hart, ODEC Chair