HIALEAH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 05: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks as House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) listens during a press conference held at the Assault Brigade 2506 Honorary Museum on August 05, 2021 in Hialeah, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 9:21 AM PT – Sunday, August 8, 2021
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) ban on mask mandates in schools has seen its first legal challenge in the form of two lawsuits filed late last week. Reports on Saturday said the suits challenge the constitutionality of the ban.
The attorneys working on the suits argued the issue of masks in schools is being framed as a parent’s choice issue when it’s actually a public health issue.
However, DeSantis said decisions over masks should be left up to the parents and not to the school boards. He added he believes the suits will fail.
“Parents have the fundamental right to raise their children, their health, their well-being, and that has to be respected by the state at all levels of government,” stated DeSantis.
The Florida governor filed an executive order at the end of last month, preventing local school districts from requiring masks in schools. He’s since butted heads with several politicians, including Joe Biden, over the move.
With reports that roughly 1 in 5 new #COVID19 cases in Florida are among children, local school boards and counties should have the authority to make decisions that are in the best interest of their students, teachers, and communities — without facing political retribution. pic.twitter.com/CGfpraPUut
— Commissioner Nikki Fried (@NikkiFriedFL) August 4, 2021
