Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed the "Prescribe Freedom" measure that seeks to ban all COVID-19 mandates in his state, including mask requirements in schools and vaccine passports.
The measure requests the GOP-controlled state legislature to make Florida's bans on COVID-19 mandates permanent. This includes mask and vaccine requirements in schools and the government and prohibitions to keep private employers from enacting mask mandates or hiring and firing based on vaccination status.
Ban on All COVID-19 Mandates
DeSantis signed the bans currently in place last year during a special session of the state legislature. The Florida governor's move to solidify the bans comes ahead of an expiration date set for June.
The latest proposal argues that making the bans permanent will protect Florida residents' "right to disagree with the preferred narrative of the medical community" and gives more room for more religious views.
In a release, the Florida governor said that when the world lost its mind, his state was a "refuge of sanity" that strongly served as "freedom's linchpin." DeSantis argued that the measures would ensure that the state remains in this manner and will provide protections for free speech for medical practitioners, as per The Hill.
DeSantis has transformed himself into a strong opponent of federal policies and pandemic restrictions since the beginning of the health crisis. Last month, he called for a grand jury investigation to look into what he called "crimes and wrongdoing" related to COVID-19 vaccines in Florida.
He also set up the state's own Public Health Integrity Committee because he did not trust the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, several health experts quickly denounced DeSantis' move.
The situation also comes as the Florida governor is seen as a potential candidate for the 2024 presidential elections. DeSantis is seen as trying to assert himself as someone who can stand toe-to-toe against former United States President Donald Trump.
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Punishments For Non-Compliance
On Tuesday, the Florida governor said that the federal government was wrong about lockdowns, mask mandates, and school closures. He also accused authorities of being mistaken regarding the mRNA shots, which have effectively prevented severe disease. DeSantis also said that officials were wrong about vaccine passports and vaccine mandates, according to CNN.
DeSantis also urged other lawmakers to support a ban on vaccine mandates in general and place punitive penalties on businesses that do not comply. He also threatened to pull state protections against COVID-19-related businesses to any establishment that continued to follow President Joe Biden's mandates.
While the Florida legislature is not expected to go that far, the new proposal that could end up on DeSantis' desk argued that businesses could require vaccination as a condition of employment. However, this would only be allowed if workers opt out through a medical or religious exemption, proof of natural immunity, or by submitting to regular testing for COVID-19.
DeSantis announced the proposal during a press conference held in Panama City. He noted that they believed there was no going back from their course of action. The Florida governor said they need to lead by making the protections permanent in state statute, told Politico.
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