Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida urged a group of youngsters at a press conference on Wednesday to take off their face masks. Throughout the outbreak, the governor has been a vocal opponent of face mask mandates in schools, calling their mask-wearing “COVID theater.”
“You do not have to wear those masks,” the governor told the students standing behind him at the University of South Florida, as per The Associated Press. “I mean, please take them off. Honestly, it’s not doing anything. We’ve got to stop with this COVID theater. So if you want to wear it fine, but this is ridiculous.”
Before opening his press conference, the governor sighed and shook his head. He then announced a $20 million investment in cybersecurity workforce education. For the event, some of the students removed their face masks, while others kept them on.
In response to the governor’s remarks, DeSantis’ press secretary Pushaw remarked, “Someone had to say it, after 2 years of propaganda that terrified and manipulated young people.”
Pushaw stated on Twitter, “Breathe free, feel safe, and be happy.”
The most recent public data from the Florida Department of Health reveals Florida reported 25,640 new cases of COVID-19. It was during the week of February 18 to February 24.
DeSantis is up for re-election in Florida this year. He is likewise being eyed as a possible presidential candidate in 2024.
The Florida governor came in second in the annual presidential straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando over the weekend. He was likewise below former President Donald Trump.
