Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference. Joe Raedle/Getty images DeSantis blames the media for creating panic over Covid surgeTALLAHASSEE Governor Ron DeSantis attacked the media Tuesday, accusing them of creating panic over the recent surge in coronavirus infection.DeSantis stated that Florida's situation was better than last year, as the state had prioritised getting older residents vaccinated. The state's mortality rate, especially among seniors, has also dropped. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that Florida had more than 11,500 infections and has made it one of the most infected states.Would I prefer to have 5,000 cases in 20-year-olds or 500 in seniors? DeSantis stated that he would prefer to have the younger during a Miami press conference about the state's Everglades restoration efforts.Multiple media outlets have reported that hospitals have been limiting their visits and cancelling elective procedures because of the surge. DeSantis said that while this is true, DeSantis stated that our hospitals remain open.DeSantis instead blasted the media, claiming they were too focused upon case counts and could cause Floridians to abandon needed medical procedures.He said that the media is prone to hysteria and you should fear mongers.DeSantis has repeatedly criticized the media, while simultaneously downplaying the severity and impact of the coronavirus epidemic. Florida is now the country's leader in new infections and accounts for roughly one fifth of all cases. DeSantis has stopped cities and school districts from implementing Covid restrictions or mask mandates despite the rise in new infections.Both Democratic elected officials and Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, have claimed that DeSantis response is more political. As a Republican governor, his potential status as a presidential candidate in 2024 has increased as he promoted his Freedom over Faucism approach towards the pandemic. He has been critical about federal health authorities and has resisted lockdowns and mask mandates.After being asked for her opinion on Florida, Psaki was more critical of DeSantis's performance Tuesday.She said that if you don't want to help or abide by public-health guidance, you should get out of the way.Christina Pushaw, spokesperson for DeSantis said that Psaki misunderstood the governor's record and pointed out that he had promoted vaccinations earlier in the year. She pointed out that students are allowed to wear masks at school, but it is up to their parents. Pushaw responded in an email that Governor DeSanti's efforts to protect Floridians from the pandemic were being ignored by her dismissively.Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist is challenging DeSantis as governor and called for him to take more steps to ensure that Florida's over 100,000 state workers get vaccinated. He suggested that state employees be required to have their shots every week or get them vaccinated.Crist released a statement saying that he was calling upon the Governor to require state employees to be vaccinated immediately or, if they don't choose to, to be regularly tested for and wear a mask indoors. Our state government can also do it if Disney, Walmart and our military can. There is no reason Florida should be again in this situation. This pandemic must be stopped.Nikki Fried (Democratic Agriculture Commissioner) urged DeSantis, who is also running to governor, to declare a state of emergency in the state. This would allow for a greater push by state governments to get more people vaccinated. As cases have risen, Florida's vaccination rate has been on the rise.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have data showing that 49% of Florida's population, or 10.5million people, has been fully immunized. This puts Florida 24th in all 50 states and District of Columbia.
