Jason Delgado
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried bashed Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday after the state reported the highest single-day count of COVID-19 cases since the onset of the pandemic.
Overnight, Florida reported 22,784 new cases of COVID-19 and 199 additional deaths, Fried said. State health officials also reported 13,447 COVID-19 hospitalizations, breaking the all-time state record set the day before.
Noting that 20% of COVID-19 infections nationwide are among children, Fried pleaded with parents to stress the importance of handwashing and other health precautions.
“Please bring your kids to school in masks,” said Fried, face cover in hand. “This is the way that we are going to save our children. This is the way we’re going to keep our schools open.”
Fried’s plea comes after DeSantis denied local school boards the authority to implement student mask mandates on school grounds.
A Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Fried blasted DeSantis for leaving the state to fundraise elsewhere amid the summer surge of COVID-19 cases.
She addressed the Republican Governor as “Ron.”
“When we were in the middle of a crisis, the person who was charged with the responsibility to take care of our state is traveling across our country raising money for his PC,” Fried said. “That is unacceptable.
With classes set to resume in the coming days and weeks, schools have reemerged as a political battleground amid the pandemic.
This time, however, critics of DeSantis point to the rise of infections among Florida’s youth. According to the Florida Department of Health, 10,785 kids under age 12 tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
The increase marks a dramatic shift between the novel coronavirus and its more contagious delta variant.
For his part, DeSantis maintains students are still welcome to wear masks. But now, the decision rests with parents instead of the government.
Fried called on school boards, local governments and the business community to continue making the “tough decisions” despite DeSantis.
20 comments
Ed
August 6, 2021 at 4:24 pm
So when was the last time Fried actually spent time in her office accomplishing tasks actually related to her job. Looking forward to that financial disclosure. I bet its going to be a doozy.
tjb
August 6, 2021 at 5:08 pm
The rumor is that she will release her financials when Trump voluntarily releases his tax returns
tjb
August 6, 2021 at 5:08 pm
The rumor is that she will release her financials when Trump voluntarily releases his tax returns
Ed
August 6, 2021 at 6:00 pm
Everyone in state leadership positions has done so. Why not her? You will be surprised at her newfound wealth. A typical politician with her hand out. Just like your last gubernatorial candidate Gillum.
Tom
August 6, 2021 at 6:05 pm
Tjb when you defend this flip flopper fraud you know it’s over. She is pathetic.
Manchurian school 101, repeat Trump,Trump and Trump. More miserable news from chamber poll, America’s Gov in landslide.
You bots are such idiots. There is no federal law requiring Pres candidate or President to have to release tax returns, period. It’s all voluntary. The Fraud required under state law. Hearings will be held.
tjb
August 7, 2021 at 5:33 pm
And you are proud that Florida is leading the country in new covid cases and death so you attack Nikki to defect to from the real issue in the article?. Keep up the name-calling … and again how many times has trump stated that he would release his tax returns ( than not doing it) and demanding other politicians to release their returns. It is ok to be a DeSantis minion but wake u8—DeSantis is not perfect. Love from your favorite bot
Tom
August 8, 2021 at 2:19 am
Wah, Wah and Wah,
You are such a baby.
Not attacking the fraud, calling her out for her deception and incompetence. She says she supports No mask mandates. She supports kids not being mandated. She’s an elite embarrassment. But go ahead and defend incompetence.
FP is a press release for fraud. No one said America’s Governor is perfect. He’s dealing with a 100 yr pandemic. Not perfect is cuomo making $5 million book deal off of death and sending seniors to their death in nursing homes. Buy why share facts. In totality DeSantis has done a good job. He’s governed with balance on Covid. Liberals/Dems have benefited as they just refuse to admit.
America’s Gov.
tjb
August 8, 2021 at 8:23 am
Do you think DeSantis’s campaign slogan will be:
“Vote for me and I will send your children home from school in a box”
When's that wedding?
August 6, 2021 at 9:44 pm
Meanwhile, Nikki is raising money between the sheets.
Ed
August 7, 2021 at 7:59 am
Nikki Fried is an easy person not like. Kind of like Kamala Harris with her nodding head and condescending tone. Nikki is cut from the same cloth and absolutely has no regards for the Chain of Command. She thinks she is Governor. Go tend to the weed garden MS Agriculture Commissioner.
Ed
August 7, 2021 at 8:30 am
not to like
Ocean Joe
August 7, 2021 at 9:38 am
Ed, good morning. I’m sure everybody already knew what you were trying to say.
Tom
August 7, 2021 at 8:16 am
Nikki Fraud epitomizes incompetent Liberal scream. Just a flip flopper joke, in both polls losing to America’s Governor. Even in the push sand bag poll she was losing. In the credible chamber one, was down 10 pts. LMAO.
Do FP reporters ever ask her a serious question ? or just roll out her press releases. My goodness.
Ed
August 7, 2021 at 8:38 am
She is more suited for California or New York. Her liberal scream won’t work in Florida. Not yet anyway.
Edward Lyle
August 7, 2021 at 9:54 am
Nikki Weed has no chance… and Chuckles the Clown doesn’t either. Florida will not replace a strong, effective, and successful Governor.
Of course the DemoKKKrat’s campaign of hate and lies will try, and the push-polls will profess… but to no avail I suspect.
Kristi B.
August 7, 2021 at 1:13 pm
Edward Lyle: “Florida will not replace a strong, effective, and successful Governor.” Newsflash: The last time Florida had such a governor, his name was Charlie Crist. I voted for him before, and I’m happy to do so again.
Desantis and Republicans are forcing awful policies down the throats of voters, and parents of school aged children are beginning to recognize that and its a relief.
Hospitals are filling up, kids are dying, and parents are terrified. Meanwhile, Ron is posturing for the delight of his corporate-owned colleagues in the GOP cult as the COVID body count increases.
He’s no effective governor; what he actually is is a disgusting, amoral man who is playing politics with the health of millions of Floridians.
Ed
August 7, 2021 at 10:37 pm
How many kids are dying. Let’s see some numbers not just some fake hysteria.
Tom
August 8, 2021 at 2:37 am
Total liberal scream meltdown.
Really severe. No facts, just lies.
Trevor In Gainesville
August 7, 2021 at 1:19 pm
I’m very tired of the never-ending hypocrisies, lies, and inept and dangerous incompetence of the GOP. They claim they support freedom, but want the state to be able to tell people who they should sleep with, what to do with their own bodies, and now, they want to force you to surround yourself with mask-less people who could very likely be infected with a deadly virus.
They also want the government to tell you when and how you can and cannot vote. Not very democratic.
WAKE UP FLORIDA!! That’s not leadership. Today’s GOP is in fact very socialist. Not sure? Google socialism and you’re guaranteed to read a description that perfectly fits the Republican party.
Tom
August 8, 2021 at 2:45 am
You are right, Republicans support lockdowns ,mm MT Dems support individual liberty. Do us a favor, just hide in the cave for 20 yrs.
Comments are closed.