The Free Press readers may remember when we first reported on 8-year-old Fiona Lashells, who at the time was handed down 36 days of suspensions for not wearing a mask at school, and ended up with a total of 38 days out of school.
Fiona is a 2nd-grade student in Palm Beach County, who her mom Bailey Lashells describes as a child who loves the typical things, kids, her age do: arts and crafts, drawing, making jewelry, painting, and getting to be a fun-loving kid.
“Fiona has changed her priorities a bit and is on a mission to take back, not only her rights but every American child’s constitutional rights from the tyrant school board being operated by a financial expert who has no knowledge of how to safely and effectively run the 10th largest school district in America,” said Lashells to The Free Press in October.
Today, Fiona joined Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for the signing of legislation, that effective immediately, bars schools from issuing a mask policy.
“Today was fun, but I was a bit scared,” said Fiona, “But I like Governor DeSantis, he’s a nice guy.”
The bills, that Fiona witnessed the signing of Thursday, were passed through a Special Session of the Florida Legislature and are effective upon the Governor’s signature.
During the press conference, DeSantis said about Fiona, “She got things done, I’ll tell you what.”
Lashells told The Free Press that Florida State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo saw Fiona was nervous and jumped in to help, “Fiona was super nervous about the appearance today, and in the hallway, Dr. Lapado stopped and said that it’s ok and showed Fiona pictures of his sons to calm her nerves.”
“Dr. Lapado just sat there and talked to Fiona like any dad that sees a nervous kid would do,” said Lashells.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody also stopped by to offer words of encouragement. According to Lashells Moody told Fiona that “she was doing a great job,” and talked about her son with Fiona.
With the signing of the legislation today, that Fiona witnessed, in Florida effective immediately:
- Private Employer COVID-19 vaccine mandates are prohibited.‣ Employees can choose from numerous exemptions, including but not limited to, health or religious concerns; pregnancy or anticipated future pregnancy; and past recovery from COVID-19. ‣ Employees can choose to opt for periodic testing or PPE as an exemption. ‣ Employers must cover the costs of testing and PPE exemptions for employees.
- Employers who violate these employee health protections will be fined.‣ Small businesses (99 employees or less) will face $10,000 per employee violation.‣ Medium and big businesses will face $50,000 per employee violation.
- Government entities may not require COVID-19 vaccinations of anyone, including employees.
- Educational institutions may not require students to be COVID-19 vaccinated.
- School districts may not have school face mask policies.
- School districts may not quarantine healthy students.
- Students and parents may sue violating school districts and recover costs and attorney’s fees.
“I told Floridians that we would protect their jobs and today we made that the law,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Nobody should lose their job due to heavy-handed COVID mandates and we had a responsibility to protect the livelihoods of the people of Florida. I’m thankful to the Florida Legislature for joining me in standing up for freedom.”
Fiona’s mom, Bailey Lashells said, “She (Fiona) was nervous and I promised her ice cream after the event today.”
And yes, Fiona got her ice cream after the event and enjoyed it, so it appears.
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