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Ron DeSantis Fights Back–Again!
Governor Ron DeSantis is prepared to defy ignorance and fear, and he takes action consistently and courageously. He knew that schools would try to enact mandatory mask mandates throughout the state, and before they could, he banned mandatory mandates. The commissioner of the Department of Education, Richard Corcoran, backed him up:
Just days after a state judge ruled that the governor’s ban was unconstitutional, Florida’s education commissioner on Monday announced the state was withholding funds from Alachua and Broward counties ‘for their continued violation of state law.’
‘We’re going to fight to protect parent’s rights to make health care decisions for their children. They know what is best for their children.’
So how do we explain the number of school districts that have ordered mask mandates in spite of the ban? Broward County Public Schools Interim Superintendent Vicky Cartwright made the following statement:
‘The health and safety of our students, teachers and staff continue to be our main priorities. As such, BCPS will continue to mandate masks, knowing the data shows they help minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our schools.’
At this moment, the ban has been struck down by Leon County Circuit Judge John C. Cooper, stating that the ban doesn’t pass “constitutional muster.” He added that school districts have the right to set policies, if they have “compelling state interest” and a “narrowly tailored plan of action.” Of course, it’s not obvious whether they meet either criterion. And his ruling ignores the fact that the school districts are, in fact, ignoring the data, which claims masks do little to protect the people wearing them. Meanwhile, funds are being withheld from Alachua and Broward counties until the districts comply.
* * * *
So how do we detect the wisdom of Governor Ron DeSantis?
First, he has studied the science on Covid-19 in depth; unlike the school districts, he not only knows the studies for mask-wearing, but understands the reasons behind them.
Second, he insists that parents should make decisions for their own children. That means that parents who want to dictate what other parents require for their children is unacceptable.
Third, DeSantis has been consistent in his requirements and restrictions regarding Covid-19. He knows that lockdowns don’t work, so he won’t require them. He knows that small businesses are the backbone of the state’s economy, so he will not require mask mandates that not only don’t work, but would discriminate against people who have not been vaccinated. They also are damaging to small businesses, especially restaurants.
But especially insightful is his understanding of the requirements for the schools. The school districts are pacifying the teachers’ unions, as well as frightened parents. The Delta variant has been especially hard on children, who can’t receive vaccinations, and at least mandating masks is doing something. Parents and superintendents, who must feel helpless in dealing with this virus, can calm their fears by telling themselves that at least masks can’t hurt. There are studies, however, that show that masks are not helpful for their children, but they prefer to believe reports that contradict that data.
Finally, Gov. DeSantis realizes that fear, especially regarding the safety of our children, is a serious issue for parents; in fact, fear in any setting can be detrimental to those involved. His wisdom shows up when he remains consistent in working from the scientific data, rather than operating on rumor and political pressure. Neither the teachers’ unions nor the district superintendents are going to dictate guidance for our state.
Ron DeSantis is wise enough to fight back.
Published in Education
Why do teachers unions still have power in Fl? Why not do away with them by making schools independently run by parents and teachers and paid for through the students who attend? Unless we go after the basics we lose.
I keep hearing from teachers all over the country that the unions do whatever they wish, @iwalton; I don’t know how powerful they are in FL. I do know that among other bans, DeSantis has banned Critical Race Theory from the schools. I assume that stands, at least so far.
Ten school districts have instituted mandatory mask mandates. I suspect DeSantis will fine them, too, or he might wait for the ruling on his appeal.
Is DeSantis in his first term? Gosh I hope he is re-elected.
Several people have said they want him to run for President in 2024! But then we lose him here!
As President he could maybe do for everyone, what he has done for Florida. And Florida would still be protected as a result.
I recently heard from someone knowledgable that the masks most folks use don’t provide the protection expected because 1) they aren’t worn properly and people touch their faces when they shouldn’t, and 2) masks need to be changed with a much higher frequency even when worn properly. Put those two together, and one could argue lockdowns were more effective than masks and anti-social distancing.
I cannot trust experts any more. I’m depending on me to stay safe, even not vaccinated . . .
They should send in the State Police and National guard to enforce the ban and ignore the judge.
We are not rules by judges.
I was looking for political statement masks in case a mask mandate gets put in place in our district and I found a DeSantis ’24 – Make America Florida mask. I liked it… but I didn’t, lol.
I have posted this elsewhere on ricochet and am posting it here in case some didn’t see it. In my state, the other side is now going to pit parents against each and force them to have kids wear masks by quarantining kids when they don’t wear masks.
I love it. But not yet. He’ll have lots to do in the meantime. I have no doubt!
Good grief. Who thinks of these things?? Those poor kids.
I find the idea that children have to wear masks to protect teachers who refuse to take the Covid vaccine repugnant. If teachers are worried about being exposed they should get vaccinated. It is a really simple equation. My brother lives in Florida, loves Desantis, as do most Floridians. I live in the Soviet Socialist Republic of Washington under a quasi-dictator who is following the party line. The requirement that we wear masks in indoor settings no matter our vaccination status has been reinstated. I find it completely obnoxious, but since the population of the state is largely centered in Olympia/Seattle/Tacoma and their immediate suburbs, and those areas are populated by morons, there is little that can be done at this point. One can only hope that the absurdity of the Biden administration might be enough to convince some supporters of Democratic candidates that they really need a change. Hope springs eternal!
I wonder what would happen if the parents of say 20 – 30 % of a mask mandate district refused to comply? Is a school district really going to bar that many students from attending?
How do you get so many to not comply? I do have protest masks for the kids… maybe I can recruit several parents into a mask protest. I have an inkling who some may be…
I’m with you Eugene! Come to Florida!
You go girl!!
The NEA et al should be banned. I know it’s hard to put the genie back in the bottle, and it’s not a single step process. But we have to figure out how to break them. They must be crushed.
I completely agree. But I haven’t heard any strategies from TPTB; everyone seems too afraid of them and their power.
Fight breaks out over mask mandates in FL–
The super made the call???
And what recourse have we? The super is voted on by the school board. I do not know if a school board can remove a super.
The State made the Call.
School Boards don’t have any power other than what the States give them.
Use the State Troopers.
Use the National Guard.
Force the School into compliance.
I think she means that the superintendent made the call on enforcing mandated masks.