Florida’s governor on Thursday stood firm in the face of a growing number of public school districts that are breaking state law by imposing universal mask mandates for students to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Speaking in Orlando, DeSantis issued a stern warning to any school officials who violate his emergency order, warning there will be consequences.
Speaking in Orlando, DeSantis issued a stern warning to any school officials who violate his emergency order, warning there will be consequences.
“The penalties will be applied to the politicians who violated the law. There will be no penalties applied to school children or teachers,” DeSantis said. “The penalties will be focused on the politicians.”
Palm Beach, Indian River, and at least eight other school districts throughout Florida are requiring facial coverings for children without the ability to opt out.
DeSantis said the sweeping mandates are a direct violation of the newly passed Parents’ Bill of Rights, which gives parents and guardians the final say over whether their children should be masked in school.
“When you have a Bill of Rights, if your individual right as a parent is violated, then you have the ability then to go in and seek vindication,” DeSantis said.
