Two Florida school districts refuse to let students opt out of mask mandates

Two Florida school districts refuse to allow parents to refuse their children to wear masks at school, risking financial retaliation and the wrath of the Florida government. Ron DeSantisRon DeSantis As COVID-19 infections rise, vaccine mandates follow Teachers union president signals personal support for vaccine mandates GOP senator says he disagrees with DeSantis on mandates mask PLUS (D)

As ABC News reports, superintendents in Leon and Alachua counties have outlined their plans to enforce mask warrants, citing the latest increase in COVID-19 cases brought on by the delta variant.

“If something happened and things turned out badly for us this week and next as we started school, and God forbid, we have lost a child to this virus, I can’t just blame the state governor. I can’t, ”Leon County Superintendent Rocky Hanna said at a press conference.

“If there is a withdrawal and I haven’t withdrawn it, and I haven’t done what’s best for the kids here in Tallahassee and Leon County, it’s mine. Hanna added.

ABC notes that Florida currently has the highest number of COVID-19 pediatric hospitalizations. The state is currently considered the most affected by the upsurge in COVID-19 cases. Although it represents about 7% of the US population, Florida reports about 20% of new cases of COVID-19.

Parents in Leon County can submit a note signed by a doctor that a child can go to schools without a mask or they can transfer their child to another school district as well, ABC News reports.

Alachua County superintendent Carlee Simon also said she would not give parents the option to opt out of the district’s mask mandate without medical reasons.

“I’m going to listen to the experts and let them guide them, and I think that’s what we need to do. Safety and security and the quality of teaching hours are what matters right now,” Simon told ABC. “I know it seems like I’m combative and I don’t want to be combative, but that’s the responsibility I have in this position.”

ABC reports that two employees of the Alachua County Public School have died from COVID-19 in the past two weeks.

Apparently in response to opposition to his ban on mask warrants, DeSantis’ office on Monday released a statement saying it could withhold salaries from superintendents and school board members who challenge it.

“With regard to the application of the financial consequences of failing to comply with state law regarding these rules and, ultimately, the rights of parents to make decisions regarding the education and health care of the their children, it would be the goal of the National Board of Education to closely tailor any consequences of the offense committed, ”DeSantis said in a statement.

“For example, the State Board of Education could decide to withhold the salary of the district superintendent or members of the school board, as a narrowly suited means of addressing the decision-makers that led to the violation of the law,” added his office.

When asked if she was concerned about losing her salary because of her actions, Simon told ABC: “I would be interested in the legal argument as to how this could happen.”

DeSantis has received criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for his ban on mask warrants, including falling out with President BidenJoe BidenCuomo’s senior assistant resigns Berlin nightclubs participate in COVID-19 pilot Project Lead pipe replacement funds in bipartisan deal sparks skepticism MORE who said governors like DeSantis should “get away from people who are trying to do the right thing.”

GOP Sen. Bill CassidyBill Cassidy Fox’s Baier Urges Scott On GOP Support For Increased Spending Under Trump Cassidy On Growing COVID Crisis In Louisiana: “All We Need To Do Is Get Vaccinated” GOP Senator Says He disagrees with DeSantis on PLUS mask mandates (R-La.) Said on Sunday that he did not agree with the ban on DeSantis’ mask tenure.

“If a local community has a – their intensive care unit is full and the people in the local schools see that they have to make sure they stay open because otherwise the kids miss another year of school, and they put in place a policy, then local officials should be listened to, ”Cassidy said during her appearance on CNN’s“ State of the Union ”.