Florida didn't order pediatric COVID-19 vaccines, then reversed after negative publicity; pressuring DeSantis still worthwhile
June 20, 2022
The FDA recently approved the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months to 5 years. In the lead up to this, states were given the opportunity to pre-order vaccines from the federal government, and every state but Florida did so.
Due to negative publicity, on Friday, June 17, 2022, Florida finally launched a portal for physicians and hospitals to order the pediatric COVID-19 vaccines.
Governor Ron DeSantis drives decisions like this in Florida, and he is quite beholden to the anti-vaccine portion of his political base, who often prefer unproven and discredited treatments over efficacious vaccinations. Of course, he and other Republican leaders are overwhelmingly vaccinated.
This is a good example that it is still possible and worthwhile to pressure Governor DeSantis and other Republican politicians to act in the interests of the people. As another example, in September 2021, after enormous criticism, Florida applied for $820 million of federal food relief for needy families that every other state had enrolled in. This resulted in millions of Florida families getting a one-time debit card to purchase several hundred dollars of groceries.
As further examples, Governor DeSantis recently vetoed the anti-solar net metering bill that would have reduced Floridians' compensation for selling solar energy back to their power companies, and he did a line-item veto on a provision to punish 12 Florida school districts for implementing mask mandates that would otherwise have prevented each district from seeking millions of dollars in supplemental funding.
Of course, Governor DeSantis has overwhelming autocratic tendencies and needs to be voted out in November 2022, but in the interim we should continue to seek whatever relief that we can for the Floridian people.
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Notes:
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/16/florida-is-the-only-state-that-hasnt-ordered-covid-vaccines-for-kids-under-5.html
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/06/17/world/covid-19-mandates-vaccine-cases
https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2021/09/21/in-reversal-florida-to-apply-for-820-million-in-food-aid/
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/04/27/desantis-vetoes-net-metering-bill-leaving-solar-energy-as-is-in-florida/
https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2022/06/02/desantis-overrules-lawmakers-rejects-penalties-for-school-mask-mandates/
You're a good man Richard. I wish all the best for you and your family. Charlie is a known honest guy who does care about the people of Florida. Just like Bob Graham and Walking Lawton did.
I lived in Florida for over 30 years leaving Florida in 2021. The main reason for leaving was the Florida GOP autocratic stronghold on the citizens of Florida. There is no doubt Desantis who has officially changed the state's name to DeSantisStand is a "clear & present danger" to the young and old Florida citizens.
His ability to divide the Citizens of Florida over his tyrant actions is clearly the work of a Jr Dictator. Soon because as you may have noticed he has become a portly slob who does not fit into his tight fit slim suits; he will be flying (on the States Plane) touting his prejudicial policies in a uniform.
Clearly folks there is a choice on the horizon VOTE Charlie Christ and Run RON OUT.... no Medicare expansion, no vaccinations to help sick children and older sick people, No quality of Life for ALL with Dictator DeSantis.... RUN RON OUT of Florida ....