Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is trying to get out ahead of the issue, I suppose, of Covid-19 passports. He’s issued an Executive Order:
WHEREAS, so-called COVID-19 vaccine passports reduce individual freedom and will harm patient privacy; and
Uh, no it doesn’t reduce freedom. It makes that freedom rather more safe than otherwise. Ooops, sorry about the interruption.
WHEREAS, requiring so-called COVID-19 vaccine passports for taking part in everyday life … would create two classes of citizens based on vaccination; …
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida etc etc
That is, I’m tired of typing, so I’ll summarize it as forbidding any Florida government entity to issue vaccine passports or share a COVID-19 vaccination record, and any Florida business to require such a passport for doing business.
So, in part, your health privacy, if you live in Florida, on this one single matter, is far more important than the requirements of public health – that is, you may spread your possibly fatal, and highly contagious germs, far and wide, all with the approval of Governor DeSantis.
Now, suppose a variant appears in Florida that retains or even increases the R number – that is, the likelihood of being infected – and makes the death rate far worse. Say, MERS worse, like, 30%, rather than the 1% we see now. That’s the risk that comes with every single infection.
This executive order cripples any efforts to stop that from happening.
This order appeals to those who nurse resentments against being told what to do in matters in which they have no expertise, and, while it may be a way to gather up votes in the 2022 Florida Governor’s race – or the 2024 Presidential race – it takes unacceptable chances with the public health and national security.
And gives me another reason not to visit Florida, nor take Governor DeSantis seriously. As if I needed more.
