Haley Brown
While many school districts are settling on workarounds to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ anti-masking policy in schools, the political discourse is far from settled.
Agriculture Commissioner and Democratic candidate for Governor in 2022, Nikki Fried, held her second press conference of the day Monday to criticize DeSantis’ school mask policy.
Fried took an ironic swipe at the conservative Governor saying of his new policy she is “deeply troubled by the government overreach.”
DeSantis’ recent executive order prohibits schools from requiring masks and threatens to defund school districts that defy his order.
The policy has resulted in a patchwork of workarounds from school districts eager to follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines that advise indoor masking for all teachers and students regardless of vaccination status. As school start dates near, many schools have made last-minute decisions to require masks but are allowing opt-outs if parents fill out paperwork.
Fried accused DeSantis of creating “chaos, confusion and panic across our entire state.”
“School boards should have the authority to make decisions that are in the best interest of their students and teachers without facing political retribution. Period.” Fried said.
At the press conference, Fried was joined by Wakulla County School Board Member Verna Brock. Brock said decisions about school mask mandates should be made on a case-by-case basis by local elected officials.
“I think without a doubt the Governor should reconsider his stance and allow these different communities to make the choices they feel are most effective for their community,” Brock said.
The continued fight over masks in schools comes amid unpleasant headlines of record-breaking COVID-19 cases in the Sunshine State including thousands of school-aged children. Health department data from July 10 through Aug. 5 showed an additional 13,596 COVID-19 cases among children under 12, an age bracket unable to get vaccinated.
Recent reports have shown Florida has the highest rate of kids hospitalized with COVID-19 in the country.
“The Governor’s actions and (the) numbers now show Florida is failing our children,” Fried said.
Fried said her office is in “constant communication with the White House” and made a plea to local governments to contact her office if they need any resources such as testing, pop-up vaccination locations or hospital resources.
By offering the help, Fried continued a pattern of positioning herself — the only statewide elected Democrat in Florida — as a foil to DeSantis and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
8 comments
Blade
August 9, 2021 at 4:23 pm
Nothing like this liberal democrat woman trying to score some cheap political points while little children suffocate under these useless masks.
Her brain seems to be “Fried”.
Mike M.
August 9, 2021 at 4:34 pm
Provide proof (link to an actual reliable and verified website source) of even one “little” child has suffocated from wearing a mask. As for “cheap political points,” simple projection and transference which is the only defense you Trumpies/DeSantistas have since the truth will never defend your ideology of fear, hatred, bigotry, and greed.
Steven J Eide
August 10, 2021 at 9:22 am
I dunno, limiting a growing child to 80% of his/her required oxygen supply is actually dehumanizing and hazardous to his/her mental health.
You in FAVOR of this child abuse, Mikey?
Jmjusa
August 9, 2021 at 5:10 pm
Fried said her office is in “constant communication with the White House”…
I’m presuming to check on poor dementia jill & her lap dog, corn pop… Demon-rats playing the game of government knows best…
Tom
August 9, 2021 at 9:22 pm
The only one confused is Nikki Fraud, she’s causing confusion and creating harm.
Fraud is corrupt and lacks character.
Just a continued embarrassment.
Steven J Eide
August 10, 2021 at 9:20 am
Nikki Fried eggs Governor DeSantes by holding CV19 briefs, ignoring her OWN job in search of his job.
She will UNDOUBTEDLY IGNORE THAT job if she gets it too.
Steven J Eide
August 10, 2021 at 9:24 am
If you “follow the REAL science” you would KNOW that the masks are USELESS against a virus 1000x smaller than the space between the fibers/threads.
Tom
August 10, 2021 at 2:01 pm
CDC and and Fraud put out wrong numbers, apparently aware. They grossly exaggerated infections over weekend. As usual media provided no check on the fraudster.
Fraud lives up to her nick name.
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