Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo pilloried policymakers for the re-imposition of mask mandates across the nation, describing these mandates as “terrible policies,” and encouraged the public to resist compliance.
Various institutions, including schools, hospitals and businesses, have reintroduced mask mandates in response to warnings from some scientists about a potential surge in COVID-19 cases.
Notably, Morris Brown College in Atlanta decided to reinstate its mask mandate even though no COVID-19 cases had been reported on its campus. Similarly, Lionsgate film studio in California briefly reintroduced mask mandates for some of its Santa Monica offices but later rescinded the decision after containing the spread of the virus.
“What do you call re-imposing mask policies that have been proven ineffective or restarting lockdowns that are known to cause harm? You don’t call it sanity,” Ladapo X’d on Thursday. “These terrible policies only work with your cooperation. How about refusing to participate.”
Legacy media outlets have also been advocating for the return of mask mandates. A recent CNN article suggested that it might be time to reintroduce masks in the fight against COVID-19.
Additionally, a CBS News medical contributor proposed that individuals over the age of 65 and those with compromised immune systems should consider wearing masks in indoor public spaces during flu and COVID seasons.
The Florida surgeon general’s opposition to mask mandates isn’t new. He declared in March 2022 that the rationale behind pushing for mask mandates is misleading.
“It needs to stop and people need to un-believe it,” Ladapo said.
Beyond mask mandates, Ladapo has also expressed reservations about vaccine mandates. He collaborated with Gov. Ron DeSantis to position Florida as the first state to advise against COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children. This recommendation followed a study suggesting that the vaccine might pose a greater health risk to young males. DeSantis further solidified this stance by signing legislation in May that prohibited mask and vaccine mandates in Florida, rendering any mask mandate from kindergarten through college illegal.
“First, the bill really goes back to the idea of prescribing freedom and it really does a lot of things. It makes all these protections permanent that we have done over the last two years,” DeSantis said after signing the bill.
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
