A Florida circuit judge ruled Friday that school districts in the state can legally impose a mask mandate, despite Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) order prohibiting schools from delivering such requirements.
Leon County Circuit Judge John C. Cooper sided with parents who challenged the governor’s decision as unconstitutional, saying DeSantis’ order is “without legal authority,” The Associated Press reported.
DeSantis had previously threatened to impose financial sanctions on districts that failed to comply with his mask mandate ban as numerous school districts openly challenged the governor.
Cooper also reportedly argued that government actions necessary to protect public welfare are exempt from such an order, adding that individual rights are protected insofar as they do not endanger the rights of others.
“We don’t have that right because exercising the right in that way is harmful or potentially harmful to other people,” Cooper said, according to the AP. He added that the law “is full of examples of rights that are limited (when) the good of others … would be adversely affected by those rights.”
A new AP-NORC poll found that despite mask mandate battles within several states, most Americans favor mandated face coverings in school settings. According to the poll, 60 percent of adults feel both teachers and students should wear masks in schools. Another 59 percent agree that vaccines should be required for educators.
Our country is in a historic fight against the coronavirus. Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.
The daily average of new COVID-19 cases in Florida as of Aug. 26 was around 22,500, marking a 6 percent increase over a 14 day period. Average daily deaths also increased with the state reporting more than 240 per day.
Approximately 63 percent of the state’s total population has received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine while 52 percent are fully vaccinated.
