Governor Ron DeSantis says parents in Florida will decide whether their kids wear face masks not schools.
The statement is in response to President Joe Biden’s call for Florida to allow face mask mandates in schools.
Biden’s comments came at a coronavirus update at the White House yesterday, when he said, “if you aren’t going to help at least get out of the way of the people who are trying to do the right thing. Use your power to save lives.”
Still, DeSantis maintains that he won't back down on his executive order banning face mask mandates in classrooms.
“Let me tell you this. If you're coming after the rights of parents in Florida, I'm standing in your way. I’m not going to let you get away with it. If you’re trying to deny kids a proper in-person education, I’m going to stand in your way and I’m going to stand up for the kids in Florida.”
[audio mp3="https://www.wmfe.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/13003_DESANTIS-ECON_DANIELLE.mp3"][/audio]
DeSantis says in Florida, parents will continue to have the right to choose whether their kids wear facial coverings or not.
"He doesn't believe the parents should have a say in that. He thinks that should be a decision for the government. Well I can tell you in Florida, the parents are going to be the ones in charge of that decision."
[audio mp3="https://www.wmfe.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/13004_DESANTIS-ECON_DANIELLE.mp3"][/audio]
The CDC recommends all students in face-to-face settings wear face masks this coming school year especially in high transmission states like Florida.
Florida currently leads the country in the highest rate for coronavirus-related hospitalizations in children.
