Yesterday, as the pandemic continues and infections spike in Florida, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis complained that for some reason he couldn’t imagine, masks had become politicized.
"I don't know why the masks have politics around it," said DeSantis. Oh, why, oh, why? It is uncertain whether anyone on his staff sat the embattled governor down – as his approval has dropped, while infections soar, with some early polls showing prospective Democratic opponents running ahead of him for the race in 2022 – and explained that he has signed an executive order banning mask mandates…and when the courts ruled that his ban on mask mandates in school districts were illegal, DeSantis said he was going to ignore the courts and withhold funds from the schools anyway. So…y’know, yeah – why, oh why? But that’s no my favorite comment in his statement. It came immediately after saying, "I don't know why the masks have politics around it," and keeping a straight face. What the then continued saying was – "Let the parent make the decision that's best for their kids. If you want the masks, do it, if you don't, don't -- that's fine." This is Ron DeSantis no doubt returning to his Hippie days. The "If it feels good, do it" gambit. Whatever, man. Cool, kumbayah. To be clear, this about parents and their kids is something he’s said before. And what I wrote the first time I heard him say it holds true this time, as well – and will hold when he says it again, and every time. And that’s -- how about them wearing clothes? Or what if parents decide that what’s best for their kids is that they don’t need to go to school? Or that what’s best for their kids is only one meal a day is fine? Or if parents decide that what’s really the very best for their rambunctious kids is a good punch in the head that will get them to straighten up? What if, hunh, y'know? Sometimes we not only actually let, but accept government stepping in when what parents decide is “best” for their children is totally irresponsible and dangerous, and puts their children at risk. Sometimes government even steps in and takes a child away from a parent when that risk is too great. In fact, sometimes we even let and accept government stepping in when what adults might decide is best for themselves may be actually totally irresponsible and dangerous, and puts themselves and society at risk. Like requiring seatbelts. Or needing a license to practice medicine. Or stopping at a red light. Or have safety codes. Or health codes. Health codes, what a concept. Like perhaps even, you know, wearing masks during a pandemic. Even if Ron DeSantis can't figure out why, oh, why, that’s become political.
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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