The ongoing mask debate in Florida not only continues, but it is turning sophomoric, as now members of the state legislature are leaning heavily on the disputed nature of masks in order to derail the upcoming confirmation of Joseph Ladapo, who was recently appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis as the state’s newest Surgeon General. Ladapo still awaits Senate confirmation, but a very petulant episode may now lead to that confirmation.
Ladapo met with several Senators in preparation for the confirmation vote. Tallahassee was outraged by one visitorAs political outrage goes, Things turned contentious fast during a sit-down scheduled with Sen. Tina Polsky before the meeting began. Polsky demanded that Ladapo use a mask when they gathered at her office. She explained that Ladapo has a severe medical condition, and is at greater risk of developing COVID symptoms.
This triggered an exchange that Polsky claimed was testy and which is being used as a reason for the presumptive surgeon general to be denied confirmation. The woman requested that he don a mask to the meeting. He refused. He asked her to take the meeting outside, but she refused. The meeting ended in a stalemate between the two sides.
Polsky said there was a brief back-and-forth, and then she finally asked whether there was a reason he couldn’t wear a mask. “He just smiles and doesn’t answer. He’s very smug,” Polsky recalled. “And I told him several times, `I have this very serious medical condition.’ And he said, ‘That’s OK,’ like it basically has nothing to do with what we are talking about.”
Polsky, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, took the masking steps because of this diagnosis. Yes, COVID is an issue for cancer patients, however, we’ll see that her concern level seems to fluctuate. This little tiff between the two sides that sounded absurd has turned into an even bigger problem. Polsky made public her account of the incident, which is prompting a lot of politicians to take action.
A phalanx of state Democrats rose up on social to express their outrage over Ladapo’s alleged behavior, all of them delivering the chorus that this indicates how he is not fit to be the state’s Surgeon General. This is happening without any of the state Democrats questioning Ladapo’s alleged behavior and with no explanation or comment from him.
The exchange is then reconstructed by one senator. Florida PoliticsIt took him three days to write about it, so half of the legislature is outraged. Even the GOP leader, who reacted in an overreaction. But there are plenty of reasons to question Polsky’s stance on masks. This drama may be being presented, but evidence is emerging to suggest that her position regarding requiring others to wear full masks isn’t so militant. Instead it appears fluid.
You are a great friend, colleague, and leader. I wish you the very best. @LeaderBookFLThank you. Happy Birthday today and every day!Today’s and forever happy birthday! 💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/QbfQu5dn26
— State Senator Tina Polsky (@TinaPolsky) October 12, 2021
Ladapo took the photograph within one week of Ladapo meeting her, well after her diagnosis of cancer. This is not an unusual example. She’s also snuggled in with State Senator Shevrin.
It’s possible to consider the “Happy birthday” balloon a smoke gun, as it confirms that October 12th is their anniversary.
Indoors. In close quarters. Without a mask. pic.twitter.com/oghnyWq2hq
— Max (@MaxNordau) October 24, 2021
It seems that Polsky is only endangered by unmasked people if she’s not a member of the Democratic Party.
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