Ron DeSantis says COVID was a ‘woke’ virus because ‘experts’ said it was ‘OK’ for Black Lives Matter to come out and protest the police – but it was wrong to protest the lockdowns
- “They said it’s okay to protest with BLM but that doesn’t mean it’s OK to protest lockdowns or other things,” DeSantis pointed out the hypocrisy
- The Governor of Florida joked that this means COVID-19 must be a ‘woke’ virus
- Came at a press conference marking the third anniversary of the start of the ‘two weeks to slow the spread’ model
Ron DeSantis joked that COVID had to be a “woke” virus because Democrats believed it would not spread to Black Lives Matter protesters in the summer of 2020, but would affect anti-lockdown protesters.
The Florida governor’s favorite work is “woke,” and he uses it to describe almost everything he disagrees with from progressive lawmakers, politicians and corporations.
At a press conference marking the third anniversary of the start of ‘two weeks to stop the spread,’ DeSantis spoke out against lockdowns, Dr. Anthony Fauci, selective rules and multiple relief programs leading to the crisis current financial.
Just months after the coronavirus pandemic swept across the United States, Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters took to the streets following the police killing of George Floyd.
DeSantis pointed to the hypocrisy in the enforcement when BLM protesters weren’t punished for gathering in large masses during the shutdowns, but others were.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis joked Thursday that COVID-19 had to be a “woke” virus because liberals thought it was okay for large groups of BLM protesters to come together during the pandemic, but not anti-lockdown protesters
“Even if they brought together hundreds or thousands of people, it was good. They actually wrote a letter saying that,’ DeSantis said during his Thursday briefing in Winter Haven, Fla., with state surgeon general Joseph Ladapo.
The potential 2024 presidential candidate added: ‘And in the same letter they said it was fine to protest with BLM but that doesn’t mean it’s OK to protest lockdowns or other things you could [oppose].’
‘So it was likely a woke virus,’ the Florida governor said to the crowd’s laughter and applause as he stood behind a podium with a sign that read ‘3 years to slow the spread’ .
DeSantis’ comments were meant to suggest that the virus could somehow distinguish between those protesting the police – since liberals felt that was OK public discourse – and those protesting the lockdowns.
Along with these protests, the activities of public groups have also remained heavily regulated — such as eating out or going to concerts.
Thursday’s press conference marked three years with some sort of COVID-related restrictions still in place in some parts of the country.
DeSantis has yet to announce a 2024 run for president, but his recent touring activity around the country and growing criticism of the current administration have caught the attention of those watching the primary contest closely.
The “15 Days to Slow the Spread” model was first introduced on March 16, 2020 when President Donald Trump was still in office. The proposal was meant to be a two-week period when all businesses closed and people stayed home unless they went out to buy food to seek emergency care to stop the spread of COVID. -19 and avoid a full-fledged health crisis.
Black Lives Matter protesters gathered in large groups – many times close – to rally against police in the US after an officer killed George Floyd on video in 2020. They weren’t stopped to organize at the start of the pandemic despite strict lockdowns due to the public health emergency
Those protesting mask mandates and lockdowns were not treated with the same grace as BLM protesters and would face roadblocks trying to rally during the pandemic
During this two-week period, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported approximately 4,000 deaths related to the COVID-19 virus. This means that people with pneumonia, influenza and other illnesses who have also tested positive for coronavirus have been included in this category.
It turned out that the first strain of COVID-19 was highly contagious, but was more dangerous for people with comorbidities – such as obesity or other illnesses – and the elderly.
The two weeks was therefore not enough to slow the spread and the closures continued to be extended and extended to include more restrictions.
Florida, under DeSantis, was one of the first states to refuse shutdowns and reopen for business.
The Sunshine State was also a leader in the fight against vaccination mandates and passports when the Biden administration began implementing them in 2021.
