(As originally published with bells and whistles, Thu, March 3rd 2022, 10:50 AM EST)
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (CBS12) — Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke at length about the Covid-19 pandemic that occurred over the past two years.
The governor said physicians who disagreed with the majority of doctors, like Dr. Anthony Fauci, should’ve had their voices heard, but instead were subject to censorship in some instances.
The governor made a big push for the Florida legislature to pass the Free Speech of Health Care Practitioners Act (HB 687 / SB 1184), while speaking in Panama City, Thursday morning.
He said it “would protect health care workers from having their licensure revoked for simply exercising their right of free speech.”
He also made proposals to “ensure that woke corporations cannot prevent a doctor from exercising their sound judgment by prohibiting hospitals from interfering with a doctor’s recommendation for Covid-19 treatment if the patient agrees.”
DeSantis’ policies toward Covid have been controversial. Last summer, he launched the effort to keep school districts from requiring masks in schools, an issue that ultimately became law in a special session.
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“Vaccine passports” were never going to be allowed in Florida.
DeSantis has referred to Florida as the “free state,” saying people from around the country choose to visit and decide to live here.
DeSantis introduced the state surgeon general by saying, “Dr. Ladapo, from the very beginning of Covid, has been basically saying the emperor has no clothes.”
Ladapo approved, saying, “It would be one thing if you’re proven right, people would acknowledge it.”
At one point during the news conference, Lapado smiled and held up a mask.
Despite most doctors having suggested people wear them for protection against Covid, Ladapo joked, “It’s hard to find these in Florida.”
Doctors behind him smiled and applauded, while Ladapo added,
“Unfortunately, we have a country right now where most people … across the political spectrum think that these things are saving lives.”
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