The Governor’s Office is speaking out after what it calls “disproportionate attention for political reasons” on Florida’s recent measles outbreak compared to 16 other states dealing with the disease this year.
“Once again, Florida has shown that good public health policy includes personal responsibility and parents’ rights,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “While the national medical health establishment and media have lost the public’s confidence, Florida continues to restore sanity and reason to public health, and will always do so under my leadership.”
“It’s important that public health leaders consider all available data and make decisions that promote health while respecting the rights of individuals,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. “Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, I will always serve with integrity and prioritize a holistic approach to public health that tunes into the needs of Floridians – and tunes out the noise.”
The celebratory quotes are just part of a larger email in which the state claims vindication over the protests of politically-motivated critics.
“The national medical health establishment and the media lost the public’s confidence with their botched response to COVID-19. Conversely, Florida under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis has set the standard for public health with evidence-based leadership,” a press release from the Florida Department of Health recirculated by the Governor’s Office claims.
The release is a response to controversy over how the office Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo handled a February measles outbreak at Manatee Bay Elementary.
Ladapo offered guidance suggesting community immunity meant that those with measles could make up their own minds about attending school, given “people with a history of prior infection or vaccination of the full series of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) immunization are 98% protected and are unlikely to contract measles.”
“Because of the high likelihood of infection, it is normally recommended that children stay home until the end of the infectious period, which is currently March 7, 2024. As the epidemiological investigation continues, this date could change. However, due to the high immunity rate in the community, as well as the burden on families and educational cost of healthy children missing school, DOH is deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance,” Ladapo wrote last month.
Now that 21 days have passed, no additional cases have passed, and in the event of another “sporadic outbreak,” Florida will treat it the same.
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Dr. Debi Johnson is a medical expert and health journalist dedicated to promoting well-being. With a background in medicine, she offers evidence-based insights into health trends and wellness practices. Beyond her reporting, Dr. Debi enjoys hiking, yoga, and empowering others to lead healthier lives.
