As the Delta Variant of the virus that's killed over 600 thousand Americans continues to wreak havoc on the nation with yet another surge in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, a number of Republicans who embraced former President Donald Trump's dismissal of the threat are doubling down.
Among these is Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida.
In addition to reopening Florida early on in the pandemic, the Governor signed legislation to block private businesses and local governments from requiring vaccinations. In one of his most recent controversial moves, DeSantis has banned schools from enforcing mask mandates, even after Florida recently broke its all time record in daily new cases and leads the population in hospitalizations for the virus.
With the Delta Variant affecting more children—many of whom are not yet eligible for vaccination—than the original strain, concerns are growing that educators and their students will be uniquely vulnerable to the virus.
But the Superintendent of schools in Florida's Leon County, Rocky Hanna, has said they will be requiring masks for children from kindergarten through eighth grade, with only medical or religious excuses for backing out.
Yet DeSantis' office is once again doubling down, with his office threatening "financial consequences" in a recent statement:
"[I]t would be the goal of the State Board of Education to narrowly tailor any financial consequences to the offense committed. For example, the State Board of Education could move to withhold the salary of the district superintendent or school board members, as a narrowly tailored means to address the decision-makers who led to the violation of law."
Alberto M. Carvalho, Miami-Dade County Superintendent, said:
"At no point shall I allow my decision to be influenced by a threat to my paycheck, a small price to pay considering the gravity of this issue and the potential impact to the health and well-being of our students and dedicated employees."
People were incensed by DeSantis' threats of financial consequences.
Imagine thinking that exposing children to a deadly disease will get you elected President? This is where we are with the @GOP, folks.https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1425054707328950284\u00a0\u2026— Chattanooga Holler (@Chattanooga Holler) 1628598360
Floridians are asking him, 'Who the hell do you think you are? You're supposed to be helping us, not hurting us.'https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1425054707328950284\u00a0\u2026— Lin Soo (@Lin Soo) 1628603121
Didn't have "kill the children" on my 2021 Bingo card. \nIsn't this reckless endangerment?https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1425054707328950284\u00a0\u2026— ActionTogetherNJ (@ActionTogetherNJ) 1628597963
I can\u2019t think of anything more heartless for withholding teachers\u2019 and other educational leaders\u2019 pay for doing the right thing. Gov DeSantis will be on the wrong side of history on this one. Teachers have already sacrificed so much during the pandemic and some have even left.https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1425054707328950284\u00a0\u2026— Adam Grundy (@Adam Grundy) 1628598209
This fucker\u2019s going to hell. Old school, fire and brimstone hell.https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1425054707328950284\u00a0\u2026— Kim (@Kim) 1628602243
So, is DeSatan of Florida about to get sued up one side and down the other or just charged with murder, manslaughter and the likes?https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1425054707328950284\u00a0\u2026— SouthSide (@SouthSide) 1628602091
Perversely, some think DeSantis is implementing the policy ahead of a potential White House run in 2024.
This is performative politics at its worse. These rules wouldn't hold up in court, and the entire point of this display is raise funds for 2024.https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1425054707328950284\u00a0\u2026— Not Dawood Farahi (@Not Dawood Farahi) 1628602335
If this guy runs in 2024 I will have to hibernatehttps://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1425054707328950284\u00a0\u2026— Mimosa boi (@Mimosa boi) 1628596607
I am an educator. I don't know any educator who would say "ok" if told their pay depended on putting students at risk. A reporting question: who does DeSantis think he is serving, what experts is he consulting, & why does he think doubling down will get him to the White House?https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1425054707328950284\u00a0\u2026— Ira Chinoy (@Ira Chinoy) 1628596494
Cases in Florida continue to rise.
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