"DeSantis and Ladapo caution against COVID restrictions and vaccine mandates"

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized efforts to implement temporary COVID-19 restrictions or mask mandates, while the state's surgeon general, Joseph Ladapo, warned against getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine. DeSantis vowed to fight against government control over COVID-19 precautions, while Ladapo raised concerns about the vaccine, citing "red flags." Ladapo's previous warnings against COVID-19 vaccines prompted a public letter from federal health agencies, stating that his claims were harmful. The governor and surgeon general affirmed that Florida would not be closing schools or mandating masks despite the recent increase in COVID-19 cases.