In a largely self-serving speech, that included his trademark ability to take credit for what others accomplished, President Joe Biden suggested on Thursday that by July 4, perhaps, maybe, Americans could gather in small groups.
“If we don’t stay vigilant and the conditions change and we may have to reinstate restrictions to get back on track. Please, we don’t want to do that again. We’ve made so much progress,” Biden said at one point.
On Friday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had a reply to that:
Nope.
In a press conference to announce a new surge of vaccines in the Daytona Beach area, the Republican governor vowed that no one was going to shut down his state again.
“I was watching this speech last night, about saying, oh well, we may have to impose lockdown restrictions again – Biden said that – let me just tell you: There’s no lockdowns in Florida,” DeSantis said.
“It’s not gonna happen.”
The governor added, “We’re not gonna let anyone close schools. We’re not gonna let anyone take your job. We’re not gonna let anyone close your business. So don’t worry about that in Florida. … We’re definitely not going to be diverted by any of that talk.”
In response to a reporter’s question, DeSantis argued that people must be treated like adults and citizens, not subjects
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“Florida’s open. And people can make decisions based on information. But we’re not gonna have government dictate to people,” he said.
He cited Bike Week, Daytona Beach’s popular annual motorcycle rally, as an example.
“If you want to come to Bike Week, come to Bike Week. If you don’t, that’s fine. No one’s saying you have to come – and that’s just how it’s gonna be. Common sense.”
DeSantis also maintained that the message from people like Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci, who advocate for vaccines ad then say people still must wear masks and social distance for months on end, is self-defeating.
On Thursday, Biden said, “We need everyone to get vaccinated. We need everyone to keep washing their hands, stay socially distanced, and keep wearing the mask as recommended by the CDC.”
To which DeSantis replied, “If you want people to get the vaccine, then you tell them you get the vaccine and then you live your life.”
“When you tell them that they have to abide by all these restrictions Infinitum, … why would you do that? … It’s a little bit odd when you say get the vaccine, it’s important – but then nothing changes when you get the vaccine.”
“The whole reason to get the vaccine is to be able to protect yourself, but then to be able to not have to worry like you’ve had to worry so often, so many times.”
“The message has gotta be: You get your shot, you’re not gonna have to be social distancing for the rest of your life,” the governor added.
“There’s a lot to be thankful for, and I’m optimistic about the way forward.”
DeSantis noted that the rolling seven-day average of new infections for people over 65 has plummeted 84 percent since the first week of January. Meanwhile, 40 states have a higher COVID-19 mortality rate among senior citizens than Florida – which has America’s highest percentage of people over 65.
We love our Governor DeSantis.. More governors need to take his example.