Jason Delgado
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried accused Gov. Ron DeSantis Wednesday of playing “COVID-roulette” with the lives of Florida students.
Speaking on CNN, Fried charged the Republican Governor with an “indifference” toward human life, particularly those of children.
DeSantis, she alleged, is prioritizing politics over public health.
“He’s creating chaos in our state,” Fried, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, said.
Fried’s national television appearance marked her latest attack against DeSantis.
She blasted him for barring school districts from requiring students to wear face masks in an executive order.
Citing a Quinnipiac poll, she noted 60% of Floridians support school mask mandates.
“I am absolutely in support of all of our local school districts having the power to do what they believe is right for their own communities and against the bullying of DeSantis,” Fried told CNN.
More than half of Florida’s public-school students attend districts that require masks.
DeSantis on Monday punished two school districts — Alachua and Broward counties — for defying the order.
Until the counties are compliant under the state order, the Department of Education will continue to withhold the salaries of each respective school board member.
An ongoing court proceeding, however, may soon undermine DeSantis’ effort.
Though Fried voiced support for local mask mandates, she spoke against a statewide mask mandate.
Fried defended her stance when pressed further about the issue, noting each of Florida’s 67 districts are unique.
Fried said she is “very confident” that school districts will “do what’s right for their communities.”
“People should be governed closest to themselves and that’s our local government,” Fried said. “So, I do think that a local school district is where (the) decision needs to be made.”
Fried’s TV appearance proceeded an afternoon event Wednesday to honor the lives lost from COVID-19.
The moment of silence paid respects to the roughly 45,000 who have died in Florida with the virus.
According to the Florida Department of Health, 251,661 kids under the age of 12 have tested positive for COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic.
Last week alone, 26,275 tested positive — marking a 19.4% new case positivity rate.
For DeSantis’ part, he maintains children are free to wear a mask under the order.
The decision, however, best rests with parents, he says.
10 comments
JmjUSA
September 1, 2021 at 2:02 pm
…. And Fried?… Disney already has Snow White, what’s her motive? Pure as the driven ‘snow’-flakes…
Nice try of presenting our newest “savior” Delgado…
Tom
September 1, 2021 at 8:52 pm
No one, no one takes this blow hard and Fraud seriously.
Except Alex.
Alex
September 1, 2021 at 9:08 pm
Wearing a mask took your right to be free of unreasonable search and seizure right?
Please tell us what the government searched of yours, and/or what they seized.
Then explain why you didn’t sue the big bad rights stealing government for it.
Lol
Tom
September 2, 2021 at 9:04 am
You are ignorant, established.
You have no clue what you speak.
I actually work and represent people’s and property owners. Unlike pontificate like yourself with no experience or understanding. You are just a Corrupt socialist. My actions are documented in court. No secret 4th amendment and 2nd amendment under duress.
Regardless, you enjoy every freedom still overall pre/post pandemic due to this Gov. Unlike blue state tyrants.
You lack of comprehension is appalling.
Tom
September 3, 2021 at 2:47 pm
Of course we did.
Are you an idiot.
Go away, you are a 5 yr old child.
My goodness.
Were you left on a door step.
Who answered? Peter H.
Alex
September 1, 2021 at 2:10 pm
The smartest thing to do to keep them healthy?
Insure all possible steps are taken including requiring masks.
Then you’ve been a responsible parent.
Evan Miller
September 2, 2021 at 7:40 am
Fried is a liberal hack. Is she dumb because she is liberal, or liberal because she is dumb?
Impeach Biden
September 2, 2021 at 9:48 am
Well she is a graduate of the University of Florida. That is all I need to know.🤣
Impeach Biden
September 2, 2021 at 9:54 am
If we could only get Fried to wear that mask 24-7.
Zhombre
September 2, 2021 at 3:50 pm
Or a ball gag.
Comments are closed.