The Center for Disease Control sparked controversy and criticism for the Biden administration after it changed its stance on COVID, yet again.
The federal health agency announced earlier this week that Americans should resume wearing masks, even if they are vaccinated. This was a sharp departure from guidance the agency gave just two months ago. (Story continues below.)
Now, Florida may take center stage after local officials in the state have said they plan to defy the governor, who has made clear mask mandates are a no-go.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he would sign an executive order preventing schools from requiring masks, setting up a major fight on the increasingly contentious issue.
“I want to empower parents to make the best decisions they can for the wellbeing of their children,” DeSantis said.
Broward County Public Schools has made clear they intend to defy the governor and require masks. The school board voted this week to require students and teachers to wear masks.
“I am not looking for us to get ourselves in trouble over this mask issue,” said school board member Donna Korn.
Texas faced a similar question, and the Governor signed an executive order banning mask mandates.
“The Lone Star State continues to defeat COVID-19 through the use of widely-available vaccines, antibody therapeutic drugs, and safe practices utilized by Texans in our communities,” Abbott said. “Texans, not government, should decide their best health practices, which is why masks will not be mandated by public school districts or government entities. We can continue to mitigate COVID-19 while defending Texans’ liberty to choose whether or not they mask up.”
The governor’s office did say note that some areas are exempt from the rule, namely “state-supported living centers, government-owned or operated hospitals, Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities, Texas Juvenile Justice Department facilities, and county and municipal jails.”
