Florida Congressman Ted Deutch (D) is claiming t0day that Gov. Ron DeSantis has been more focused on holding press conferences than implementing a plan for "mass vaccinations."
Regardless of what his definition of "mass vaccinations" is, Rep. Deutch appears to be wrong in suggesting that Gov. DeSantis does not have a plan to get Floridians vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine.
"In the early weeks of vaccine distribution in Florida, it is clear that @GovRonDeSantis is happy to plan press conferences but hasn’t done the work to plan for mass vaccinations. We need fewer photo ops and more shots," stated Deutch.
Well, just a couple of weeks back, DeSantis announced that the Florida Division of Emergency Management under the leadership of Director Jared Moskowitz had amassed 5 million syringes, needles, and swabs used for vaccinations.
An onhand supply of 5 million of these vaccine kits qualifies as preparations for "mass vaccinations."
“We in the state of Florida have been actively planning and preparing for vaccine distribution, including by purchasing necessary supplies,” detailed Governor DeSantis. So far, “we have purchased 5 million syringes, 5 million needles, and 5 million alcohol swabs.”
Now DeSantis, during a "press conference" in Delray Beach, Florida, reiterated that seniors 65 and older, health care workers, and nursing home residents and employees are first in line to receive the vaccines. DeSantis had already signed an executive order about who would be receiving the vaccine first.
According to DeSantis' Executive Office, "175,000 Floridians have received a vaccine for COVID-19."
"As of December 30, over 175,000 Floridians have received a vaccine for COVID-19 and the state is currently in its third week of vaccine administration," stated the release. "Florida was the first state in the nation to begin offering vaccines to staff and residents of Florida’s over 4,000 long-term care facilities and we were also the first state in the nation to begin offering vaccines to EMTs and paramedics. Florida is also now the first state in the nation to mobilize county health departments and county emergency managers to actively vaccinate seniors 65 and older in the community."
In the early weeks of vaccine distribution in Florida it is clear that @GovRonDeSantis is happy to plan press conferences but hasn’t done the work to plan for mass vaccinations. ⁰⁰We need fewer photo ops and more shots.
— Rep. Ted Deutch (@RepTedDeutch) December 30, 2020
