Ron DeSantis: "If at first you don't succeed, lie. When that doesn't work, blame others."

From Business Insider -

DeSantis accuses press of trying to 'milk' January 6 attack on the Capitol: 'This is their Christmas'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday accused journalists of having an "obsession" with the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. 

"This is their Christmas: January 6," the Republican governor said, specifically mentioning media organizations based in Washington and New York. "They are going to take this and milk this for anything they can to be able to smear anyone who ever supported Donald Trump." 

From The Daily Beast -

DeSantis Blames Feds, Slams ‘Hysteria’ as Florida Shatters COVID Records

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) blamed the Biden administration for COVID-19 woes in his state while accusing other state leaders of allowing “hysteria” to reign as they encourage mitigation measures against the virus that he claimed had little basis in sound science.

“In terms of Florida, you look what’s going on in other states, they’re letting hysteria drive them to doing really damaging things. We thought that people had learned,” DeSantis said during his first news conference in weeks on Monday after record-setting COVID-19 numbers spread across the state last month. “They’re closing schools, they’re doing things that should not be done. That is not the way you deal with this.”

That's the "blame others" part; as for the lies?

From CNN from 4/2020 -

Florida governor falsely claims the coronavirus hasn't killed anyone under 25

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis falsely claimed Thursday that the novel coronavirus hasn't killed anyone under 25 nationwide while discussing a timeline for reopening schools in the state.

"This particular pandemic is one where, I don't think nationwide there's been a single fatality under 25. For whatever reason it just doesn't seem to threaten, you know, kids," DeSantis said at an educators' meeting to discuss distance learning.

From Politico -

DeSantis, hydroxychloroquine pitchman

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday used his coronavirus briefing to give a choreographed, live-streamed shout-out to hydroxychloroquine, a drug President Donald Trump has touted as a potential miracle cure for Covid-19.

During the briefing, DeSantis took credit for loosening shipments of the drug from India and sought testimonials on the drug from doctors and a patient.

From the American Medical Association -

FDA warns against chloroquine for COVID-19 outside hospitals

What’s the news: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cautioned against the use of  some medicines FDA-approved to treat or prevent malaria and being used for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. The FDA has warned that hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine should only be used in hospitals or clinical trials because they have been linked to a risk of heart rhythm problems, especially when paired with the antibiotic azithromycin.

Why it’s important: There have been reports of serious, potentially life-threatening, heart rhythm problems in patients with COVID-19 who are treated with hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine and used in combination with azithromycin and other QT prolonging medicines.

“We are also aware of increased use of these medicines through outpatient prescriptions. Therefore, we would like to remind health care professionals and patients of the known risks associated with both hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine,” says the FDA drug safety communication.

There is no evidence to show that hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine—prescribed for years to treat lupus and arthritis—are safe and effective for treating or preventing COVID-19. These medicines are currently being studied in clinical trials for COVID-19 treatment and prophylaxis. However, in late March the FDA issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) to supply chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine from the Strategic National Stockpile to treat certain patients who are hospitalized with COVID-19 and for whom clinical trials are not available, or participation is not feasible. Learn more about lessons learned from COVID-19, including how treatment is unclear at this time.

From the Mayo Clinic -

There's a pattern: If you criticize Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, his police will get involved

From WPLG (FL) i

‘The governor is an enemy of the people,’ well-known activist says as he’s handcuffed ahead of DeSantis news conference

Gov. Ron DeSantis had a scheduled COVID-19 news conference Tuesday morning at the Florida Department of Health – Duval County in Jacksonville, but it was a well-known activist who showed up at the news conference ahead of the governor who stole the show.

“It’s time for him to address the people. Go and get him,” the man, identified as Ben Frazier, tells an apparent aide to the governor after he was approached and asked to leave.

DeSantis has a history of utilizing the police to attack his critics.

From WebMD dated 12/2020 -

Florida State Police Raid Home of DeSantis Critic

Armed officers with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement served a search warrant Monday morning at the home of a fired state coronavirus data scientist who has said Gov. Ron DeSantis is trying to downplay the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rebekah Jones, who helped create the COVID dashboard for the state Department of Health, posted a video on Twitter of officers holding what appear to be drawn firearms inside her Tallahassee residence, where she lives with her husband and two children. She said officers seized a phone and computer she uses to post coronavirus case numbers.

Ron DeSantis of Florida is missing while the number of Covid cases in FL soar

As bad as Doug Ducey is, at least he hasn't abandoned his post.  Yet.

Of course, his hesitation may be due to the fact that the next person up in Arizona's line of succession to the governorship is Katie Hobbs, a Democrat.

From The Independent (UK) -

‘Florida is on fire and Ron is missing’: DeSantis trolled by plane with banner accusing him of being AWOL

A campaign group seeking to unseat Florida governor Ron DeSantis has joined in the row over his recent absence from public view by flying a plane with a mocking banner over his state.

Launched by Remove Ron, which is led by an activist who has stalked Florida beaches during the pandemic dressed as the grim reaper, the plane’s banner reads “Florida is on fire and Ron is missing” – a reference to the governor’s near-disappearance in recent weeks.

From NBC News -

Florida Democrats blast 'MIA' Gov. Ron DeSantis as Covid cases surge

Gov. Ron DeSantis has been missing in action as Covid cases in the state have spiked to new heights, Florida Democratic officials charge.

"Counties are overwhelmed w/ lines that stretch for miles," state Sen. Shevrin Jones, a Democrat, tweeted Thursday. "It's every man/woman for themselves, because leadership is MIA," he added.

Florida's line of succession includes mostly Republicans who could probably be counted on to continue DeSantis' depravity and lies about Covid, so I'm not sure why he didn't just have one of them act as governor.

From Spectrum Bay News 9 (a cable news outlet in Florida) -

From Alachua County (FL) -

I mean, a Lieutenant Governor's position exists exists only for one reason.

Why deprive an LG of the chance to be an Acting Governor?

Edited on 1/2/2022 to add:

From WPLG (FL) -

Florida reports 56,865 new COVID cases, positivity rate continues to soar

After days of record-breaking COVID-19 cases in the Sunshine State, Florida reported 56,865 new cases on Saturday and the positivity rates in South Florida continue to soar.

According to the latest figures released, both Miami-Dade and Broward counties have positivity rates of 30%.

DeSantis takes a page out of Brnovich's book

Apparently, Ron DeSantis (R-FL) aspires to the presidency as much Mark Brnovich (R-AZ) wishes to be a US Senator.

From NPR today-

Florida is suing Biden over the vaccine mandate for federal contractors

The state of Florida on Thursday sued President Joe Biden's administration over its coronavirus vaccine mandate for federal contractors, opening yet another battleground between Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and the White House.

The lawsuit, announced by DeSantis at a news conference, alleges the president doesn't have the authority to issue the rule and that it violates procurement law.

This is not a new tactic for Rs who are looking at/running for higher office.

From CNN, from 9/14/2021 -

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich sues Biden administration for 'federal overreach'

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced in a statement Tuesday that the state is suing President Joe Biden "and other officials in his administration" over the new coronavirus vaccine mandates Biden announced last week.

"Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced his office (AGO) is suing President Biden and other officials in his administration over their unconstitutional COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal employees, federal contractors, and private businesses with more than 100 employees. This is the first lawsuit in the country to be filed against the Biden Administration's radical actions requiring COVID-19 vaccines," the news release said.

Apparently2, Republicans think that only Republican presidents have any say over federal contractors.

In Florida, facts don't matter. Political expediency does.

 And, in a bit of a surprise, for once I'm not talking about Ron DeSantis, though I could be.

And2, unsurprisingly, he's involved.

From Business Insider -

Florida official wants Gov. Ron DeSantis to make the controversial and unproven COVID-19 treatment ivermectin more widely available

A Florida county commissioner wrote a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis pleading that the livestock deworming drug ivermectin become more widely available for people who are struggling with COVID-19. 

In the letter, Commissioner Neil Combee called ivermectin a "wonder drug," according to NBC affiliate WFLA.

From Lake Wales News -

County Commissioner Neil Combee Promotes Ulcer Medication as Covid Cure

A Polk County Commissioner is coming under fire for promoting a common ulcer medication as a cure for Covid-19. There is no medical or clinical evidence to support his claim.

Neil Combee, who represents the northwest corner of Polk but is elected county-wide, asserts that "the government knows" that the over-the-counter medicine is effective but is covering it up for unknown reasons. He offered no explanation as to why any authority would do so but says that he "doesn't trust government."

Known as famotidine and marketed as Pepcid-AC, the drug is used to reduce the production of stomach acid in ulcer patients, and may cause significant interactions with other medications.

Combee, a Polk County Commissioner and former state legislator, has no scientific or medical training, but he *is* a trumpkin, working in Trump's administration as the Florida state director of the USDA.

Like other trumpkins, reality doesn't matter to him.  Apparently.

From KFOR (OK) -

Patients overdosing on ivermectin backing up rural Oklahoma hospitals, ambulances

A rural Oklahoma doctor said patients who are taking the horse de-wormer medication, ivermectin, to fight COVID-19 are causing emergency room and ambulance back ups.

“There’s a reason you have to have a doctor to get a prescription for this stuff, because it can be dangerous,” said Dr. Jason McElyea.

My guess is that he runs for governor of Florida when DeSantis' term is up; and if that doesn't work out, he moves to AZ and runs for something here.

1. Wear a damn mask.

2. Get vaccinated. 

3. Don't ignore facts.

Apparently, trying to score political points on the backs of dead folks isn't an effective strategy

From Politico -

Florida starts turning on DeSantis

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been untouchable for the past year as he commanded the Republican culture wars to become heir apparent to Donald Trump. The latest coronavirus surge is starting to change that.

Covid infection rates continue to climb as the state faces shortages of health care staff, morgue space and even oxygen for patients. About 16,000 people are hospitalized. Child infection rates have shot up. School districts — even in Republican strongholds — have rebelled against DeSantis’ anti-mask mandates. And cruise lines are resisting DeSantis’ vaccine passport ban. Even his recent poll numbers are slipping.

Florida's Covid numbers, from Johns Hopkins U -

I have a suggestion for a new tourism slogan for Florida -

Go to Florida and die.

1. Wear a damn mask.

2. Get vaccinated. 

Ron DeSantis likes to blame immigrants for Covid. I think the blame can be laid closer to home.

 Ron DeSantis likes to blame immigrants for Covid.  

I blame ignorance and selfishness on the parts of certain native-born Americans.

From Politifact -

Ron DeSantis’ effort to blame COVID-19 spread on migrants is short on evidence

As coronavirus cases spike nationally, and especially in Florida, a blame game has erupted between President Joe Biden and Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis.

Florida has the second-highest per-capita coronavirus case load of any state as of Aug. 6, exceeding its level at any point during the pandemic. Florida also has the highest coronavirus hospitalization rate of any state, at more than three times the national average.

I'm guessing that Ron DeSantis is smiling right about now

 From AP -

Florida breaks record with more than 21,000 new COVID cases

 Florida reported 21,683 new cases of COVID-19, the state’s highest one-day total

 

since the start of the pandemic, according to federal health data released

 

Saturday, as its theme park resorts again started asking visitors to wear

 

masks indoors.

The state has become the new national epicenter for the virus, accounting for

 

around a fifth of all new cases in the U.S. as the highly contagious delta

 

variant of the coronavirus continues to spread.

From the Tallahassee Democrat -

Florida Gov. DeSantis signs executive order making masks in schools optional

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will sign an executive order to issue emergency rules for "protecting the rights of parents," making face masks optional across the state in schools and leaving it up to parents.

The governor made the announcement Friday in Cape Coral at an Italian restaurant, where he also presented parents who oppose masks. 

Apparently, to "pro-life" types like DeSantis, life itself is optional.

Masks are mostly for those around you, so if you want to live in society,

1. Wear a damn mask for the folks around you.

2. Get vaccinated for yourself.

Otherwise, walk out to the desert, find your rock, and crawl back under it.

Deep philosophical question: can someone be called a "leader" if no one follows?

Ask Ron DeSantis...

From Politico -

Florida officials defy DeSantis as infections spike

Florida’s Covid wars are starting again.

Local officials across Florida are bucking Gov. Ron DeSantis and his anti-mandate coronavirus strategy as infections soar in the state and nation. They’re imposing vaccine and mask requirements for government workers and even declaring states of emergency. In a sign of how worrisome the new Covid-19 surge is, Disney World is ordering all guests over 2-years-old to wear masks indoors at its Florida theme park, regardless of vaccination status.

The new pandemic regulations were announced Wednesday, a day after Florida reported over 16,000 new cases — the highest one-day total since mid-January when the vaccine was not widely available. The local mandates also came as DeSantis reiterated that the state will resist any pandemic-related regulations, even as it remains one of the worst hotspots in America.