ToplineFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), said Friday that he plans to sign an executive Order aimed at making all Florida school districts "mask-optional." This is despite Florida's Covid cases rising rapidly and hospitalizations soaring towards record highs.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gestures during his speech at the Shul of Bal Harbour on June 14, 2021. This Shul is a... [+] Jewish community centre in Surfside, Florida. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Le) ASSOCIATED PRESSThe Key FactsDeSantis stated that the executive order will direct state's Department of Education and Department of Health, to issue emergency rules to ensure "parents' rights" regarding the wearing of masks by children. This order seems to be in response to Wednesday's Broward County School Board vote to implement a mask mandate in its schools. DeSantis, who is staunchly anti-mandate DeSantis said that "will be addressed". Florida is experiencing a huge Covid surge. Hospitalizations and cases are rising quickly. According to a New York Times tracker report, more than 9,000 people are currently in hospital. This is more than any time during the winter Covid surge. A surge in hospitalizations for children is also being caused by the delta variant. Jacksonville has reportedly seen a record number of children in its hospitals, while other cities such as St. Petersburg and Palm Beach have also experienced spikes.Important QuoteDeSantis stated that there will be no restrictions or mandates in Florida.Chief CriticOn Thursday, Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber (D), wrote to DeSantis asking him to allow localities enforce mask mandates as well as lift the ban on vaccine passports. DeSantis was also requested to reinstate the online Covid dashboard that provided daily Covid data updates during the pandemic.Important BackgroundFlorida leads the country in new Covid cases. It accounts for about one in five Covid cases in the United States. DeSantis has been opposed to any form of restriction for many years and is not showing any signs of changing his stance. Statistics show that Florida fared better in terms of deaths than other states during the pandemic, despite constant criticism from his political adversaries. According to the New York Times Florida ranks 26th in Covid deaths per head, behind many states with stricter restrictions. DeSantis also encouraged vaccinations, claiming they "save lives." However, shots are currently only available to children 12 years and older. Florida will join at least nine other states with Republican governors that have banned school districts from adopting mask mandates. These bans don't follow the American Academy of Pediatrics' guidance, which recommended that all children over 2 years old and all school personnel wear masks in the fall.TangentOrlando is experiencing the worst Covid surge since the pandemic. This week's new cases set a new record, while the major health care system in the area has run out ICU space.Continue readingHospitals in the Southern United States Report Record Numbers of Children Hospitalized During Delta SurgeThough Deaths are Still Extremely Rare (Forbes).Orlando Area Shaking Covid Records in Worst Surge Of PandemicLive updates and coverage of the Coronavirus
