Democrats know that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is a likely future presidential prospect. CPAC confirmed that likelihood as it showed the attendees placed DeSantis as the person second to President Donald Trump who they’d like to see run in 2024 at 21%. He also was a definite crowd favorite during his speech there.
So Democrats have been doing all they can during the pandemic to try to attack his response to it and contrast him to the “hero” who they fashioned in New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
But now that Cuomo has imploded in all kinds of scandal from the nursing home scandal to threats and the sexual harassment allegations, some Democrats seem more desperate than ever to distract from Cuomo and/or tag DeSantis with something. But unfortunately for their attempts, that effort isn’t going very well.
“The sole Democrat elected to statewide office in Florida is calling on the U.S. House of Representatives coronavirus committee to investigate the state’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, for ‘alleged political favoritism’ in coronavirus vaccine distribution,” Yahoo reports. “That call comes in a letter that Florida’s agriculture commissioner, Nikki Fried, will send on Monday morning to Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., who heads the coronavirus committee, and Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, its ranking Republican member.”
How dare DeSantis prioritize vaccinations for the elderly?! You know, those people who are most at risk from the virus. It’s the elderly who are most at risk of serious complications or death, which is the most important thing. They are the people that anyone with common sense and real concern would prioritize for the vaccines. But unfortunately, that’s not the case in some areas. In addition to seniors, Florida is prioritizing nursing home/long-term care residents and staff, healthcare personnel with direct patient contact — individuals deemed extremely vulnerable to the virus. DeSantis said they would likely start lowering the age requirement in March and that it would likely be widely available in April, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Unlike Cuomo, DeSantis also prioritized protecting seniors in nursing homes, actually telling them not to take in positive virus patients to protect their vulnerable populations. Plus he hasn’t driven his state into economic depression with economic lockdowns and schools are open. He’s been light years ahead of Democratic governors, some of whom have been so harmful to their states.
It’s surely not a coincidence that Fried and Charlie Crist, who have been bringing the complaints, have been touted as potential gubernatorial candidates, making the request for an investigation suspect as a political move.
Meanwhile, DeSantis claims he has gotten over 50% of Florida’s senior population vaccinated, which is a pretty amazing vaccination rate at this point. You can check out all the action they are taking to get it done.
Today the state announced the establishment of six COVID-19 vaccination sites — in addition to our Pahokee site — to provide greater access to the vaccine in underserved communities in the following counties: Broward, Duval, Leon, Miami-Dade, and Osceola. pic.twitter.com/RP2Zyc3Hf0
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 25, 2021
Florida has vaccinated millions of seniors representing over 50% of our senior population. Counties with noteworthy coverage of seniors include:
St. Johns – 78% (of seniors vaccinated)
Leon – 73%
Nassau – 71 %
Alachua – 67%
Indian River – 67%Great job!
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 1, 2021
In Florida, we have put Seniors First from day one and I’m pleased to announce that starting tomorrow we are providing vaccines directly to seniors at the Venice Municipal Airport Festival Fairgrounds. @HealthyFla will vaccinate 4,000 people over two days at this site.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 26, 2021
ICYMI: Yesterday we announced over 80 additional vaccination sites at select @CVSHealth pharmacy locations throughout the state, putting FL's total number of sites at over 800. We'll continue to put #SeniorsFirst & work to ensure that anyone who wants a shot, gets a shot. pic.twitter.com/4HkzFdjaPr
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 24, 2021
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