Note: This article may contain commentary reflecting the author’s opinion.
Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) released a statement on Jan. 17th announcing new legislative proposals to permanently ban COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates, protect parental rights, and guard Floridians against job discrimination based on vaccination status.
DeSantis said in the statement, “When the world lost its mind, Florida was a refuge of sanity, serving strongly as freedom’s linchpin.”
He added, “These measures will ensure Florida remains this way and will provide landmark protections for free speech for medical practitioners.”
The statement lays out four prohibitions proposed by the Governor:
- “Permanently prohibiting COVID-19 vaccine passports in Florida;
- Permanently prohibiting COVID-19 vaccine and mask requirements in all Florida schools;
- Permanently prohibiting COVID-19 masking requirements at businesses; and
- Permanently prohibiting employers from hiring or firing based on mRNA jabs.”
Florida State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo told the press, “As a health sciences researcher and physician, I have personally witnessed accomplished scientists receive threats due to their unorthodox positions. However, many of these positions have proven to be correct, as we’ve all seen over the past few years. All medical professionals should be encouraged to engage in scientific discourse without fearing for their livelihoods or their careers.”
According to Timcast News, as of October 2021, eight other states had placed bans on employer vaccine mandates including Montana, Utah, Texas, Michigan, Indiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Georgia. After legal challenges, a federal court upheld the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for government contractors for Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio.
Subsequently, on Jan. 12th the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the ban ruling that the vaccination mandate was unconstitutional.
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron said in a statement, “The Sixth Circuit’s decision is a resounding victory against unlawful federal overreach into the personal medical decisions of Kentuckians.”
He added, “For over a year, the Biden Administration has fought against us, but the court has agreed with our legal arguments and has halted the federal contractor vaccine mandate for Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee.”
Original article: https://dcenquirer.com/gov-desantis-launches-covid-mandate-offensive-proposes-bans-on-vaccine-mask-mandates/
