A.G. Gancarski
Gov. Ron DeSantis outlined his latest plan to “fight back” against the decision by the Joe Biden administration to cut off access to monoclonal antibody treatments but was short on specifics about how that battle would take place.
“We’re going to fight back against this because this is just wrong. It’s not the way, you know, that you help people,” DeSantis said Tuesday.
On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration revised emergency use authorizations for two two monoclonal antibody treatments saying they treatments are “highly unlikely to be active against the omicron variant,” according to a statement. The treatments are now not authorized for use, the FDA said.
Asked about the strategy for combating the federal pause, DeSantis replied, “We’ll see.” Part of the strategy will be to “expose what this actually means for people,” DeSantis said, though it’s uncertain what that entails beyond battling in the press.
DeSantis has communicated outrage since Monday night about the decision to halt use of monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19.
“Early this morning, thousands of Floridians woke up to news that their appointments to get treatment for COVID-19 infection were canceled by the Biden administration,” DeSantis said Tuesday, complaining the White House “revoked” those treatments.
The Governor rejected the premise that the treatments don’t work against omicron, saying Florida proved differently and that patients had the right to “try” the treatment despite changing federal guidance.
“We have had people use it, and we have had good results. It’s not 100%, we understand that. But you also don’t know when someone goes in whether it’s omicron or delta. Yes, mostly in Florida it’s going to be omicron at this point,” DeSantis conceded. “But it’s really a reckless decision.”
“Even if with omicron it’s half as effective, or even 25% as effective, that’s better than nothing for people,” the Governor added.
DeSantis suggested the monoclonal moratorium was driven by a failure to “stockpile” the treatment by the federal government.
“I think part of it is they don’t have enough treatments to go around,” DeSantis said.
He made the comments Tuesday morning during a press conference in Crawfordville.
Alternative treatments will be offered, according to the Biden administration. Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Ian Sams tweeted that the department this week is providing more than 34,000 treatments to Florida that “actually do work,” adding emphasis to those words. Those treatments include 21,080 doses of the molnupiravir pill produced by Merck.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki offered her own critiques of the DeSantis position Tuesday, calling it “crazy.”
“These treatments, the ones the Governor is fighting over, do not work against omicron and have side effects. That is what the scientists are saying,” Psaki said Tuesday at her regular briefing.
___
Renzo Downey of Florida Politics contributed to this report.
29 comments
PeterH
January 25, 2022 at 11:36 am
The Federal Government should not be financing drugs that no longer work. There will be new variants…. so perhaps DeSantis’s Regeneron will be back some day!
zhombre
January 25, 2022 at 12:35 pm
Lincoln Project shill. Has an autographed copy of Rick Wilson’s repulsive books.
nail
January 28, 2022 at 10:03 pm
But, but he will not get that commission from Regeneron. Plus the 10.5M he received from them may be on the line? We don’t know the deal he made but it must be good if he would sit back and watch 64,000 people die, including the most children under 18 in the country. Also the most over 70. We also have the 2rd largest amount of deaths per capita. What a sorry state because of a total incompetent DeSntis
Tom
January 29, 2022 at 7:37 pm
What a preposterous crock of crap you Fng liar. What kind of crap do you eat and read. There was no $10.5 million for the Gov u ass wipe. The Feds bought and paid for all Monoclonals Regeneron, bought in advance. It was warp speed. Biden and his idiots didn’t even know they had Regeneron. DeSantis did.
You are really demented nail. None of your numbers are substantiated. Biden’s HHS has acknowledged that Florida govt, is #1 for seniors vaccines. You are delirious nail.
mellie
January 25, 2022 at 12:21 pm
The governor needs to find a way to fight this. The FDA is DENYING TREATMENT THAT SAVES LIVES.
Their contention–or the contention of that twitterbot–that their consolation prize med DOES WORK is another lie, as well. And they know it.
They’re playing politics with our very lives, Florida–what are we going to do about it?
Frankie M.
January 25, 2022 at 12:42 pm
The Governor rejected the premise that the treatments don’t work against omicron, saying Florida proved differently and that patients had the right to “try” the treatment despite changing federal guidance.
People have the right to “try” bleach too. That doesn’t mean they should.
PeterH
January 25, 2022 at 4:14 pm
You are free to pay for monoclonal antibody treatments that don’t work. Open up your pocketbook! Ask the governor to use Florida resources to pay for failed Omicron treatments.
zhombre
January 25, 2022 at 5:07 pm
Hey, Lincoln Project lackey, will you move to another state after DeSantis is re-elected?
Frankie N.a.
January 25, 2022 at 6:30 pm
Nope. I was here first mouthbreather.
zhombre
January 26, 2022 at 4:24 pm
Yeah, you are one of the first mouthbreathers and emerged from the primordial slime during the Miocene. And haven’t evolved much since.
nail
January 28, 2022 at 9:42 pm
It is not only the FDA, Regeneron parent company, put out their own statement that it does not work. Do you ppl ever read and research? or do you just take a incompetent governors word for everything?
Think about this: the FDA and Regeneron both put out reports a month ago that Regeneron did not work for Omicron.Why would DeSantis push a medication that does not work? Never mentioning that the vaccines work and you need to have the vaccine after Regeneron?
With Regenron, you have to be sick first for it to work. It is not a vaccine. To be completely vaccinated and a booster you are sure not to die and not be hospitalized. So why would he suggest that you get a Regeneron Treatment when you have Omicron? How many had this treatment but really needed hospitalization? Hospitals will not administer any meds, oxygen, or a ventilator.if you have had Regeneron. How many have died from this delay in a treatment that could have worked? We have no idea because DeSantis never kept records or any follow up.
How many were told that they needed to get the series of vaccine within 30 days of a Regeneron treatment? We have no idea, no follow up from the state. Other states did this, but had follow up and records..
Yet, we had DeSantis’ voodoo doctor that the DeSantis GQP rubber stamps (no matter what) legislature passed this idiot through the 1st hearing that makes FL and DeSantis a laughing stock of the world. 5 times Democrat Senator Book asked this question. Very easy, yes or no she asked.the question of Ladapo: “do the vaccines work?” Finally on the 5th time asked, he answered, YES, they stop you from dying and going to the hospital. The Democrats walked out of the hearing. At that point I would have also.Watching it I wanted to shake this guys shoulders. “You are supposed to be a MD, and you refuse to answer the simplest of questions because it goes against your and DeSantis’ rhetoric you tell the people of Florida.” I would have said this as I am sure most that sat through this sad inquiry wanted to. A man sitting in the audience was hysterical to watch. He was shaking his head and looking away from the disaster with the name Ladapo, FL Surgeon General.
I received a call from a friend in Italy today that reviewed the video of Ladapo making a complete ass of himself. She asked a great question: Ladapo said they had the data that proved Regeneron worked, where was it? When you know that this will be the line of questioning, why don’t you bring your evidence? When questioned it was ah, ah, there was no answer, like everything this con artist said.
Since she writes for ANSA, an Italian English speaking newspaper of the caliber of AP. She wanted to know what I knew about Ladapo and I explained to her what I have said here.
DeSantis has put this state and himself, in a awkward position. How does he remove himself from the mess he has made of Covid in Florida. His sale of clothing that defames the creator of the vaccine that has saved millions of lives. Pushing a MD that has no experience viral medicine and who lied about his experience. A person who schooled for Americas Frontline Doctors that are still under a investigation for as scamming ppl, when Ladapo was the face of this corporation.
How far is this going to go. DeSantis’ numbers are failing faster than a freight train. If only he had told the truth. But as we all know, this is not what the very small base wants to hear.
Tom
January 29, 2022 at 7:48 pm
Moron, DeSantis numbers ain’t dropping you idiot. You are mental.
You must be red Sonja. He’s in the lead in every poll. Biden is negative in 46 states, he’s 38% approval in Florida. DeSantis is in the lead in every poll, plus to 10.
Frankie M.
January 25, 2022 at 12:39 pm
Seems like a strange hill to die on for someone who believes in making their own personal health decisions. No masks, vax, social distancing, or contact tracing but he’s still pushing an expensive treatment that doesn’t even work?? Better off pitching natural immunity & covid parties. Or horse dewormers? But maybe that’s plan B.
Tom
January 25, 2022 at 9:23 pm
Typical stupidity from DNC and local hack Florida Dums. What a crock of manure, propaganda minister Jen Psaki lies.
Memo: Biden is negative 38% to 53% in Florida.
Biden is atrocious. DNC, Psaki or Nikki Fraud are building him up further.
DeSantis is America’s superstar Governor. Conservative leader! He is speaking at CPAC in February/Orlando.
Btw, thanks to the Gov, $4billion in new additional sales tax and housing transfer document revenues! Cause Gov kept Florida flourishing! Go ahead attack Gov Ron, make his day!
Tom’ s Mom
January 27, 2022 at 3:50 pm
Hey stupid, stay on point with your comments. I wish I was pro choice before I had you. But I still love you.
Tom
January 27, 2022 at 5:31 pm
Piece of crap faker, go F your sister!
My moms been deceased for years, crap head.
Btw, had your sister, nothing to say.
You obviously are mentally challenged faker. You can’t run with me, I’m multi
versed. Enjoy your sister crap head.
nail
January 28, 2022 at 9:50 pm
Tom’s answer is to attack but no backup to any of his info. If Tom did a little reserch on Fl Politics, he would have seen the facts. He does not want facts, because GQP do not accept them. They will accept any of the info Kompromat Karlson gives him though
Tom with the Reynolds Wrap hat, would see that Desantis would lose to both Nikki Fried and Charlie Crist. They both would win today by over 10 points each. And Biden’s approval Wednesday was 49%.
Why does Florida politics accept troll statement from a disgruntled trumplican cult member?
Tom
January 29, 2022 at 1:15 am
You are mental nail.
There is no public poll that had America’s Gov losing to Fraud or crispy critters. You are mental to utter that. Fraud is a extremist, can’t get out of the primary. Crispy will lose the left wing and conservative vote. Fraud is electoral disaster. All the polls have Gov up 5,7 or 8 pts.
WhAt facts idiot ?
The 3 Monoclonals help. Of the 3, 2 have been 30% effective. 1 is very helpful. There is no study. Regardless, the Feds shouldn’t stop them. How stupid can you be nail. You obliviously are as you don’t know electoral politics. Biden ain’t aT 49%. He’s at 40% at best on avg. In Florida he’s at 38%. DeSantis wins easily! What an idiot nail is.
nail
January 29, 2022 at 8:59 am
Did you attend school beyond the second grade? Your writing is worse than my 6 yr old grandsons. Can’t make sense of whatever bull you are trying to throw.
Do you have any friends? Seek out adults, they can help with your conversation skills. Or there are remedial English classes taught at most HS. These classes will help you with sentence structure skills.
Tom
January 29, 2022 at 2:18 pm
My sentence structure says you are an idiot. My structure also states you lie repeatedly. You don’t have a clue what you are talking about.
I am a legend on FP, you can’t play with me pal. Feel free to try to though.
Biden is useless. He’s under water in 46 States. He’s negative in Florida, 38% approval, how’s that for English. Nail, Snail, or Nail.
DeSantis wipes the floor with you and the rest of your clown show.
Tom
January 29, 2022 at 4:22 pm
Attack the messenger you PUD, campaign 101.
When you can’t defend your incompetent President, V-President, Nikki Fraud, Charlie critters, Dum, Dum Demings, your list goes on.
DeSantis, America’s Gov is brilliant compared to your clown show!
Tom
January 29, 2022 at 8:40 am
You pathetic liar nail.
Biden is dismal in Florida and national polls. Fraud and crispy are totally behind Gov Ron. Losers, no poll had them leading.
nail
January 29, 2022 at 4:40 pm
Did I rile your feathers Tommy. Your mocking everyone has no substance. We all know what Russian trolls say. Did Kompromat Karlson give you the playbook on what to say at the cult meeting last night?
I have never read such insane rants in my life. Are you the old man who does the same in the Palm Beach Post? Responding to ever article and opinion. You have to be. Get a life honey. Get out of the house once in a while. You need diversity to learn how to interact with humans.
You would not know the truth if you were slapped across the face with it.
Tom
January 29, 2022 at 7:44 pm
I know you don’t know truth, just a incompetent idiot Manchurian. You are the supposed grandpa you old ass wipe. You aren’t a human, Manchurians don’t count!
You haven’t said one thing of substance in any if your toilet paper wipes posted. Go vote for Gillium.
Dumb ass nail.
Savannah
January 26, 2022 at 8:13 am
Dump Fidel DeSantis and his ignorant lackeys.
Tom
January 26, 2022 at 8:32 am
Why don’t you go out at 2 a m in Havana, Savannah. LMAO
nail
January 29, 2022 at 7:51 pm
Is this the way Florida Politics runs this page? When you allow wackos like Tom you will lose ppl who have actual minds?
Please block his IP, . He is abusive and FL Politics contributes to it by allowing him on this board.
No one else is as abusive as him.
He has been thrown off of many boards because of his language. It is debatable if he is a human. It might be a Russian troll.
Tom
January 29, 2022 at 10:12 pm
Troll my ass you liar. You can’t take the heat with your pathetic lies and disgusting comments. You are a ugly extremist. Lies, deceit and disgusting accusations. You prove nothing but make scurrilous accusations.
Whose attacking who now. You are full of manure grand pa.
Tom
January 31, 2022 at 8:06 pm
Wah Wah Rass.
What a lying baby.
Disgusting.
Comments are closed.