Omicron is sweeping across Florida. It’s time for Gov. DeSantis to be a serious leader | Opinion

In November, Gov. Ron DeSantis, with the support of Republican leadership, called a special session of the Florida Legislature on the topic of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But instead of focusing on preparing for the future while COVID cases were at a low rate, the Legislature, at DeSantis’ urging, passed five bills to hamstring school boards, businesses and governmental entities in their fight against future surges and variants.

As Florida continues to break records in daily reported cases, it is clear these bills have done nothing but disarm us.

Of particular concern is House Bill 1-B, which specifically prohibits a school board from enacting mask requirements in schools. During the late-summer Delta surge, many school boards defied the governor’s prohibition on mask requirements, citing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the need to protect students and teachers.

The Florida Department of Education retaliated by withholding funding from those school districts. As COVID cases declined and the school boards followed the CDC recommendations, the requirements were rescinded and the funding was restored. Since the enactment of HB 1-B, however, it would be a clear violation of law for a school board to impose a mask mandate in a Florida public school.

A confluence of factors raises large concerns about this school mask-prohibition policy. First, the omicron variant has proven to be highly contagious and is sweeping the country. Second, a nationwide surge in pediatric hospitalizations shows omicron is infecting more and more children. Finally, masks continue to be an important part of the effort to battle COVID, and the science appears well settled that a properly fitted medical-grade mask is effective.

The country has learned that the consequences of closing our schools are too great. But without the ability to require masks, schools could act as omicron hotspots, with infected children spreading the virus to their families. Just as we have seen with airlines and sporting events, sick teachers and staff could result in having to close schools, which no one wants to see.

The actions taken during November’s legislative special session need to be readdressed — and reversed immediately. Omicron has shown that, despite the governor’s attempted victory lap, Florida is not immune from the spread of this disease. DeSantis needs to follow the science and support masks, as well as vaccines and boosters. His policy of addressing illness after it arrives makes no sense and could prove especially dangerous given the failure of treatments against the omicron variant.

It’s time for him to show true leadership, end the political games and allow schools, businesses and governments to protect themselves against omicron and all future communicable diseases.

Sen. Lori Berman represents District 31 in the Florida Senate.