mandate

PolitiFact Florida reviewed more than two dozen Gov. Ron DeSantis press releases and news conferences from 2020 and 2021 about the vaccine rollout.

Almost all Americans have some immunity against the virus, either through vaccination or prior infections. And hospitalizations, while increasing, are much lower than they were during past pandemic peaks.

Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida won’t be joining states, cities or school districts across the U.S. in closing campuses or forcing masks. And Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo warns against a new COVID vaccine.

New COVID variants are fueling hospitalizations and prompting some schools and hospitals to reinstate mask mandates. Others are considering or ruling out the possibility, leaving it up to individuals.

That coverage was thrown into question by a March ruling from a federal judge in Texas, who said some of the preventive care requirements under the law are unconstitutional.

Florida was among three states that declined to check for vaccination violations, instead leaving that process to CMS, which hired contractors. As a result, CMS said Florida was docked more than $1.2 million.

Gov. Ron DeSantis continued his long-running criticism of the federal government and major medical organizations about issues such as COVID vaccinations.

A new memo signed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also gives commanders some discretion in how or whether to deploy troops who are not vaccinated.

As COVID has become less virulent, the debate over vaccine mandates has faded. But some workers who were fired for refusing the shots are still fighting to be reinstated.

A three-judge panel upheld the Biden requirement for executive branch workers, overturning a Texas judge. But the full appeals court vacated the ruling and agreed to rehear the case.