All articles tagged with #desantis administration
Cuban Americans are protesting a plan by the DeSantis administration to donate land next to Miami's Freedom Tower for Donald Trump's presidential library, sparking controversy in the community.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's administration has ordered state universities to ban the pro-Palestinian student organization, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), from campuses, accusing them of illegally supporting Hamas militants. The move comes as some college students express solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel's attacks on Gaza. Critics argue that the ban is an attempt to suppress freedom of speech on campuses, while supporters claim it is necessary to combat terrorism. SJP has been on U.S. campuses for decades, advocating for the liberation of Palestinians and boycotts against Israel.
The former Florida surgeon general, Dr. Scott Rivkees, has criticized the DeSantis administration's claims that updated COVID-19 vaccines have not been proven safe or effective, stating that the vaccines are very safe and have proven efficacy. Federal health authorities recommend that everyone over the age of 6 months receive the updated COVID vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have defended the vaccines, emphasizing their safety and effectiveness. Dr. Rivkees points to CDC data showing that a significant number of COVID deaths in Florida were in individuals under 65, highlighting the importance of vaccination. The current Florida Surgeon General, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, has expressed vaccine-skeptical ideas in the past and faced scrutiny for omitting data on vaccine risks. Dr. Rivkees argues that the risk of myocarditis from COVID is greater than from the vaccine, and that vaccines have a strong safety profile.