Jan 18, 2023 -- 10:38AM, NY23 wrote:

Jan 18, 2023 -- 9:06AM, bertram wrote:

Gov. Ron DeSukkkazzz has just given Florida residents and outsiders entering the state a much better shot at contracting old Covid, new Covid, long Covid and any future Covid strains policies like his are encouraging.  All Hail Ron, the Grim Reaper!

Yes, he is that idiotic:

DeSantis proposes policy permanently banning Covid-19 vaccine and mask requirements

Permanent is a often misused word in politics.  It's often used to gain support of followers but nothing in politics is ever permanent.  The next legislature or executive authority can change things as they see fit.  People made a big deal that the Trump tax cuts for corporations were "permanent" while the cuts for individuals sunset after 10 years but honestly, they have already been changed by the Democrats.

Regardless, this policy permanently banning COVID-19 vaccine and mask requirements is just dumb.  The science, for masks at least, is clear that thety do help when used for short periods of time in areas of high transmission.  We are also seeing the negative effects of long-term masking in our population right now.  As far as the vaccines are concerned, I would imagine that eventually we will have a vaccine that is FDA approved.  Once that happens, I hope Florida would reconsider this policy.  Personally, I think it's unconstitutional to require people to take a medicine that is still experimental, but I also understand the reasoning for some of the mandates.   In the news yesterday, the current bivalent vaccines have triggered a "danger" response from the FDA regarding increased clot and stroke risk, but that shouldn't scare people away.  A discussion with your doctor along with personal research is the best way to determine if the shot is right for you.