Renzo Downey
Gov. Ron DeSantis says there could be more consequences to come for districts that flout the state’s rules against mask mandates in public schools.
A growing number of school districts have been adopting mask mandates for students despite the administration’s threats to punish district administrators. Those that already had mandates have stood their ground or returned to them after initially backing off.
When asked by a reporter Wednesday whether he would reverse his ban on school mask mandates, DeSantis returned the question, “How about keeping the power with the parents?”
“You can’t go above the law and take away people’s rights, and that’s what they’re doing. They’re taking away parents’ rights, and there will be consequences,” DeSantis said.
The State Board of Education last week ruled that Alachua and Broward county school districts were violating state law with their mask mandates. During the meeting, State Board Chair Tom Grady suggested suspending district administrators that violate state law.
That’s the way it works, DeSantis added, suggesting there will be more consequences to come.
“There’s consequences for that. There’ll continue to be more, and I think we’ll see that,” DeSantis said.
Many of Florida’s school districts are already seeing record numbers of COVID-19 infections among students. Still, the Governor maintains that masks don’t have a track record of reducing infections in schools.
Differences between schools that required or didn’t require masks were not statistically significant last year, DeSantis said. However, medical experts say the delta variant is much more contagious, including in children. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend everyone wear masks in school regardless of vaccination status.
Schools shouldn’t send healthy children home either against their parents’ wishes, the Governor said. Additionally, he said they should recognize that some children might have antibodies through infection.
During expert testimony in a legal battle this week over DeSantis’ executive order against mask mandates, medical experts said people who have been vaccinated or were previously infected can transmit the delta variant at higher rates than prior prominent variants.
DeSantis has frequently criticized the “corporate media” for backing and highlighting pro-lockdown, pro-mask policies. He continued that line when asked about the rising number of infections in schools.
“I understand, respectfully, people in your profession love having kids in masks,” DeSantis said. “I get it, you guys have taken an editorial position on that, very clear. The data doesn’t support it.”
12 comments
suzan
August 25, 2021 at 3:45 pm
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Peterh
August 25, 2021 at 4:01 pm
From the article:
“ “You can’t go above the law and take away people’s rights, and that’s what they’re doing. They’re taking away parents’ rights, and there will be consequences,” DeSantis said.”
DeSantis’s misinformed statement here is his statements about mask mandates is “LAW!”
DeSantis has no authority to write law.
Alex
August 25, 2021 at 4:42 pm
Empty threats now angry little weenie?
We have a child in the Governor’s Mansion
ScienceBLVR
August 25, 2021 at 9:02 pm
I read DeSantis’s beads when he used his own toddler as a prop in a political ad for governor, “building a wall” against the migrant hourdes, with play blocks..who does something that disgusting with their own child? Obviously he is willing to sacrifice Florida’s children with this moronic anti mask mandate. Thank you to the communities who are standing up to his perverted tyranny.
Jerry
August 25, 2021 at 11:02 pm
Tyranny? LMAO!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!
Democrats call it tyranny to give parents the power to make their own choices for their children.
Democrats call it tyranny for people to control what gets injected in their own bodies.
Since this pandemic started, you Democrats have wanted nothing but mandates with no end and constantly moving goalposts. You are obsessed with power and control. THAT is tyranny. Let me explain something to you. I control my body. Not you. Not the government. I control what goes in it. Not you. Not the government. Period. If you want to wear a mask and take 50 vaccine boosters.. DO IT! But you will not be making me do it. I promise you that!
Peterh
August 26, 2021 at 1:53 am
Parents have the power to make choices for their children. School districts are tasked with protecting faculty, school administrators, school operations and maintenance staff, school housekeeping staff and school groundskeepers unvaccinated unmasked children and adults. If you can’t train your child to wear a face mask than don’t send your child to school, malls, grocery stores or movie theaters. Keep your miserable unteachable child at home and you and your child can wallow in stupidity.
Remember that with 650,000 Americans dead and 1200 dying daily the climate is ripe for a new variant to evolve. You and your ilk will either be getting vaccinated every six months for the next two decades or wallowing in self pity like a child. Wear a mask and stop worrying bout freedumb!!!!!!!
Sonja Fitch
August 26, 2021 at 6:58 am
Duffus Desantis is willingly slaughtering Floridians and our children for his own personal bs political goals! Lock up Duffus Desantis! Not only is Duffus Desantis a drug dealer but he is criminally negligent for providing the common good!
JoAnne
August 26, 2021 at 8:12 am
DeSantis.. best Governor ever. That’s just for you liberal transplants. Move back please.
Patrick DAnnunzio
August 26, 2021 at 12:02 pm
A sign of an inability to make a responsible, knowlegeable argument is telling people to go back or leave. Especially when they have no idea of where the person is from. It’s about a half step above “yo momma”.
Tom Palmer
August 26, 2021 at 8:14 pm
My family has been here since the 1920s You guys are the newcomers.
Patrick
August 26, 2021 at 11:59 am
Benito DeSantis at his fascist best.
Tom Palmer
August 26, 2021 at 8:14 pm
We’re soooooo scared.
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