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White House press secretary Jen Psaki criticized Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, accusing the Republican governor of choosing “politics” over “public health.”
DeSantis, a declared opponent of coronavirus restrictions such as state-level mask warrants, has been repeatedly touted as a potential challenger to President Biden in 2024.
During his daily press briefing on Monday, Psaki said the Biden administration was “ready and available” to provide federal assistance, “whether in Florida or any other part of the country,” after the Sunshine State said broke two coronavirus-related records over the weekend. with the highest number of cases reported in one day and the highest number of hospitalizations per capita.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki has attacked Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
(Photo by Joe Raedle / Getty Images)
FLORIDA BEATS A RECORD FOR COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS
“Twenty percent of the cases we see are in Florida,” Psaki said.
“There are measures and precautions that can be taken,” she continued, “including encouraging people to get vaccinated, encouraging people to wear masks, including allowing schools to impose masks and allow children to wear masks, which is not the current state of affairs in Florida. ”
Psaki appears to have partially distorted Florida policy – DeSantis has made the wearing of masks optional for Florida students but has not prohibited students from wearing masks.
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“So, you know, at some point, leaders are going to have to choose whether they are going to follow public health guidelines or if they are going to follow policy,” she added. “And we certainly encourage all governors to follow public health guidelines. “
DeSantis’ office hit back at Psaki, pointing out that the state allows parents to decide whether their children will wear masks or not, and noting that the governor has held more than 50 vaccine-specific events urging Floridians to get vaccinated.
“Contemptuously ignoring Governor DeSantis’ efforts to protect vulnerable Floridians, Psaki is the one playing politics with the pandemic,” DeSantis press secretary Christina Pushaw told Fox News in an email. .
“The White House should be more concerned with the CDC’s about-face, which inadvertently encourages vaccine reluctance with their confusing and contradictory public communications. Declare that those vaccinated should wear masks and socially distance themselves. implies that the vaccines do not change anything, which is not the right message for our federal government to promote. ”
Fox News’ Peter Hasson contributed reporting
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