On a Saturday in September 2020, amidst the devastating toll of Covid-19 in the United States, Dr. Deborah L. Birx, a member of the White House coronavirus task force, received a call from Dr. Scott Rivkees, the Florida surgeon general. Dr. Rivkees was in distress, informing her that Governor Ron DeSantis had concluded that the worst was over for Florida and had disregarded preventive measures like restrictions on indoor dining. This decision marked a turning point in DeSantis’ approach to the virus, which he now presents as his greatest achievement and the basis for his presidential campaign.
However, a thorough analysis by The New York Times of Florida’s pandemic response, including data on deaths, hospitalizations, and vaccination rates, reveals that DeSantis’ narrative overlooks crucial details. While he emphasizes the swift reopening of schools, which has been linked to less learning loss, other policies, such as reopening businesses, likely contributed to the spread of infections. Nevertheless, the most significant flaw in DeSantis’ approach was his failure to prioritize widespread vaccinations. Despite initially advocating for vaccinations among the elderly population, he shifted his focus away from vaccine promotion and instead emphasized his opposition to vaccine requirements.
This approach had dire consequences for Florida when the Delta variant emerged. The state experienced higher death rates compared to other states, with a majority of the fatalities occurring among unvaccinated individuals. Florida’s vaccination rate, although initially strong among the elderly, lagged behind the national average for younger age groups. A study published in The Lancet suggests that if Florida had achieved a higher vaccination rate, it could have prevented thousands of deaths and hospitalizations during the summer.
While Florida’s death rate during the pandemic ultimately fared better than the national average, it is notable that most deaths occurred after vaccines became available to all adults. This raises questions about DeSantis’ shifting stance on vaccines and the impact it had on the state’s mortality rate.
Critics argue that DeSantis’ leadership style during the pandemic mirrors his approach to his presidential campaign. By catering to his political base and tapping into the Republican resistance against scientific authority, he gained popularity but at the cost of preventable deaths. Dr. Rivkees, who served as the Florida surgeon general until September 2021, laments that embracing vaccines instead of fueling anti-vaccine sentiment could have made a significant difference in Florida’s outcome.
DeSantis initially approached the pandemic as a pragmatic leader, relying on scientific consensus and expert advice. However, he also extensively studied scientific research and formed his own advisory team consisting of academics who aligned with his views. This approach led to some success in protecting vulnerable populations, such as the elderly in long-term care homes. Florida’s death rate in the first year of the pandemic was relatively low compared to other states.
DeSantis also defied national public health guidance by mandating in-person classes in schools, a decision that was supported by experts such as Dr. Anthony Fauci. However, the governor’s embrace of extreme views, including those of Dr. Scott Atlas, without expertise in infectious diseases, raised concerns among public health experts. These views advocated for allowing the virus to spread among low-risk individuals to achieve herd immunity. Critics argue that this strategy was unrealistic and failed to prioritize the protection of vulnerable populations.
In conclusion, Governor Ron DeSantis’ response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Florida is marked by both successes and failures. While he highlights his achievements, such as reopening schools and businesses, his approach to vaccinations and his shifting stance on vaccines have had detrimental effects. The high death rate among unvaccinated individuals and the missed opportunity to prevent thousands of deaths through higher vaccination rates raise questions about his leadership and the impact on Florida’s handling of the pandemic.
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