Florida radiologists and other physicians are imploring Gov. Ron DeSantis to repeal what they believe is a “reckless” recent executive order banning mask mandates in schools.
The Sunshine state has seen COVID-19 cases surge over the summer, infecting more than 19,000 residents daily — the worst weekly infection rate since the pandemic started. At least 35 Florida children are being hospitalized every day with the virus, physicians charged, and more than 120,000 kids under age 12 are unvaccinated in the Tampa Bay area alone.
However, state leaders recently barred local school districts from enacting mask mandates. Dozens of docs, including several in imaging, are asking DeSantis to reverse that decision while also resuming daily reporting on case totals and encouraging Floridians to get vaccinated.
“For children ineligible for a vaccine, the only protection they have against COVID-19 is for them to wear a mask, and for those around them to do the same. As physicians, we agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation that all schools have students, staff and teachers wear masks, which scientific evidence shows reduces COVID-19 spread,” radiologists wrote in a letter published by the Tampa Bay Times Aug. 10. “What’s heartbreaking and infuriating for us as doctors is watching children needlessly suffer while Gov. DeSantis rejects simple protections such as masks and vaccinations.”
For his part, the Florida political leader has argued for the importance of letting parents dictate healthcare decisions, rather than school administrators. DeSantis this week threatened to withhold school leaders’ pay if they ignore his executive order.
“When the wellbeing of our students and our constitutional freedoms are at stake, we will stand up for Florida families,” he said in a statement. “Giving parents options to make these decisions is not controversial.”
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.