Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has continued his fight with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after CDC Director Rochelle Walensky put forward new mask requirement recommendations for K-12 school systems for the upcoming school year regardless of vaccination status.
The CDC has changed its tune, once again, after COVID cases have risen over the last few weeks and the school year is fast approaching for many across the country.
Just three weeks ago, CBS News covered the CDC’s recommendations, which said, “vaccinated children and teachers won’t need masks in class this fall,” and Fox News reported on the CDC saying they have “no plans to update” school mask guidance less than 10 days ago.
However, DeSantis has said he will not back down from pressure coming from the White House and Washington D.C. since federal officials change their guidance so frequently.
“I think our fear is, seeing some of those rumblings, that there will be an attempt from the federal level or even some of these organizations to try to push for mandatory masking of school children. And so our view is that this should absolutely not be imposed. It should not be mandated,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis Press Secretary Christina Pushaw said the CDC’s decision “isn’t based in science.”
“It isn’t based in science. There is no indication that areas with mask mandates have performed any better than areas without mask mandates. In fact, this policy could actually backfire,” Pushaw told Fox News. “Mandating masks for vaccinated people erodes public trust and confidence in the effectiveness of the vaccines. To me it appears that the government wants to be perceived as ‘doing something’ during a seasonal infection surge, even if their policy does not necessarily make people safer.”
DeSantis has previously said lockdowns and mask mandates will not happen on his watch.
“I get a little bit frustrated when I see some of these jurisdictions saying, even if you’re healthy and vaccinated you must wear a mask because we’re seeing increased cases,” DeSantis said. “Understand what that message is sending to people who aren’t vaccinated. It’s telling them that the vaccines don’t work.”
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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at the Florida Capital Star and the Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
