In first post-pandemic election, Covid mandates are still a political football
By Emma Coviello
Gov. Ron DeSantis is seeking a second term this election as he leads Democratic rival Charlie Crist by double digits. Charlie Crist, who is a former GOP governor, has fallen heavily behind Ron DeSantis in the polls. According to the Florida Atlantic University’s Business and Economics Polling Initiative, DeSantis holds an 11 point lead over Charlie Crist.
One thing that distinguishes the two candidates is their markedly different approaches to the pandemic, in particular mask and vaccine mandates.
“Over the past two years, the data has shown us what works and what doesn’t work. It is long past time to stop the Covid theater,” said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during a speech earlier this year. Since the beginning of the Coronavirus global pandemic, 5.84 million cases and 72,767 deaths have been reported in the state of Florida alone.
As the COVID-19 rates rise and fall due to spikes here and there, DeSantis is either favored or disliked by many, sometimes in part on the basis of how he dealt with the pandemic. Based on the upcoming elections polls, so far he is favored by most. DeSantis has been transparent about his views on the COVID-19 outbreak and the pandemic itself.
It is no secret that Ron DeSantis is against mandatory COVID-19 vaccines. “As long as I’m kicking and screaming, there will be no COVID shot mandates for your kids. That is your decision to make as a parent,” DeSantis said during a recent speech about the upcoming election.
“I get a kick out of it when people kind of compare it to [measles, mumps and rubella shots] and things that have been around for decades and decades,” DeSantis said. “Parents, by and large, most parents in Florida have opted against doing these booster shots, particularly for young kids,” DeSantis said.
As the cooler weather arrives, the COVID-19 rates start to rise. When this occurs, many people are quick to vaccinated or boosted. On the contrary, during the summer months, the COVID-19 rates begin to fall.
On the other hand, Charlie Crist he said he was “‘open” to a mask mandate. “I would be open to doing what scientists advise — not political scientists,” Crist said at a campaign event in early November. “Yes. I just read an article this morning. I’m glad you brought it up,” he told an off-camera questioner.
“So I’m going to the airport right after this. I’m going to Orlando, and I’m going to wear a mask on the plane. You don’t have to anymore, but I’m going to because Florida is experiencing an uptick that began this week. And it’s not even the Omicron B2. It’s a new variant,” Crist said.
Face covering mandates were enacted in some cities and municipalities in the wake of the pandemic, particularly at times of high community transition. The mandates, based on CDC recommendations about the airborne virus, were highly divisive, and in Florida in particular became a political football. Some people feel still feel safer wearing masks, particularly in crowded indoor spaces, while others want to shed this layer of protection and move on.
“I’m really curious to see how this upcoming election plays out. DeSantis has a pretty good lead going for him and I’m sure he’ll take this one home,” said Matthew McCrory, a junior studying engineering at Florida Atlantic University.
“I am very open about my views on the COVID-19 pandemic in regards to the vaccine mandates,” McCrory said. “I stand by DeSantis and his decision not to mandate and enforce the COVID-19 vaccines. We as citizens should have the freedom to decide whether or not we want to get vaccinated or not.”
Many people are using this election to take a stand for their freedom and their rights. These citizens want to choose a candidate who is going do just that, by being an advocate for them. As the polling continues, every vote counts and every vote matters. This election has been a big eye opener for many about this. Many more young voters are taking a stand by using their voice and their vote to demand a change.
