https://washingtonexaminer.com/news/trump-white-house-urged-desa…
Former President Donald Trump's administration told Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) to reinstitute masking and social distancing in Florida in 2021, months after the governor had reopened the state.
In a letter obtained by the Washington Examiner, Trump's White House Coronavirus Task Force warned DeSantis's administration that "aggressive mitigation must be used," including "uniform implementation" of 2-3-ply well-fitting masks and "strict physical distancing."
A new rise in COVID-19 cases has prompted calls to reinstate masking and other mitigation measures, which in turn has renewed the debate over which Republican handled the initial virus response better.
DeSantis had lifted all COVID-19 restrictions on businesses and restaurants in Florida and banned fines for not wearing a mask in September 2020, months prior to the letter.
In a radio interview with Hugh Hewitt on Wednesday, Trump slammed DeSantis's COVID-19 handling, saying, "He shut down Florida. It was tight as a drum. He had vax lines. He was vaxxing everything. Now, he talks about the vaccinations this and that."
But in the letter sent to Florida from Trump's task force, DeSantis was told, "Do not delay the rapid immunization of those over 65 and vulnerable to severe disease."
It further advised "active and aggressive immunization."
The letter also instructed the state on "maintaining public confidence and maximizing vaccine acceptance" to address "persistent vaccine-hesitancy."
@Equ4l1tyDovesDemocrat8mos8MO
As much as he got right it would be nice if Trump would own up to his mistakes on Covid
@FoxSophie8mos8MO
He got nothing right.
@HouseOfRepsJohnny8mos8MO
More people died in Florida from COVID-19 than any other state because of Ron DeSantis inaction
Ron DeSantis valued Politics over saving peoples lives
Ron DeSantis is unfit to be President of the United States
@FoxSophie8mos8MO
Florida has the least amount of excess mortality out of every single Sunbelt state, including California. Also less than other large metros that followed The Science(tm).
@PupAlRepublican8mos8MO
The one thing that soured the Trump/DeSantis relationship was Trump’s asinine COVID policies that DeSantis rejected and refused to implement to save Florida from the decline in the states that accepted them. RDS lost respect for Trump but kept his promise to support him in ‘20.
@AmiableSheep8mos8MO
DeSantis helped generate massive donations for Trump in 2020 and ensured the election was efficient and secure. A far cry from the Florida election in 2000.
@RedWhiteBlueLarryRepublican8mos8MO
Desantis didn’t reject Fauci’s ideas. And there were no policies dummy! Governors run their states.
