Governor is gambling with health of schoolchildren | News, Sports, Jobs – Pineisland Eagle – Pine Island Eagle

To the editor:

It is not extreme to tell the truth.

Ron DeSantis is gambling with the health and safety of Floridas schoolchildren. And he is doing so in violation of the Florida Constitution, which says school boards shall operate, control and supervise all free public schools. His executive order, to withhold funding from school districts that do not comply with his dictates, appears to exceed his executive power.

DeSantis says he questions the science of face masks. His executive order is based on the position that his opinion is equivalent to the knowledge of scientific experts. Because he is governor, he has the power to turn opinion into public policy.

Face masks decrease the spread of respiratory viruses. Over 99% of COVID deaths occur in the unvaccinated. Vaccinations are about 94% effective at preventing transmission of COVID-19 infection. The Delta variant is 1,000 times more transmissible than the original COVID 19 virus. The virus is mutating, aided greatly by the unvaccinated, so there will be future variants. Pretending it is not a clear and present danger makes matters worse, not better.

The truth is that scientifically proven public health measures, not politically motivated opinions, are needed to protect schoolchildren from COVID-19 when classes resume this month.

Susan McGuire

Bokeelia

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Governor is gambling with health of schoolchildren | News, Sports, Jobs - Pineisland Eagle - Pine Island Eagle