Florida has recently requested an additional 300 ventilators from the federal government, just days after it prohibited mask mandates in schools. The state’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has come under intense scrutiny, especially with the rise of the more contagious delta variant leading to a significant increase in cases nationwide. Governor Ron DeSantis has taken a firm stance against mask mandates in educational institutions, even threatening to penalize school officials who implement such measures.
This ventilator request comes as Florida sees a surge in hospitalizations, including among children, reaching levels not witnessed in months. According to a planning document from the Department of Health and Human Services obtained by ABC News, the state is seeking these ventilators “to replace expended state stores.” Medical professionals are expressing their concerns about the strain on the healthcare system, citing extreme exhaustion among staff members. “The nurses, the physicians, they have passed burnout a long time ago,” noted Dr. Emily Carter, chief medical officer at a major hospital. “This is sheer exhaustion.”
While there is some disagreement between Florida’s reported case numbers and those from the Centers for Disease Control, the situation remains dire, with a recent three-day average of approximately 18,795 new cases. “We are close to 90% in terms of our capacity,” Dr. Carter stated, highlighting the hospital system’s burden with 336 COVID patients, 61 of whom were admitted over the past weekend. Alarmingly, 96% of these patients are unvaccinated.
“99.5 percent of COVID-related deaths are among the unvaccinated,” Dr. Carter explained. “The severity and duration of illness are significantly worse in unvaccinated individuals.” As the new school year approaches, there is particular concern regarding the rising number of COVID cases among children. “Last year we didn’t see this tremendous explosion of kids,” she added, attributing part of the increase to the Delta variant and the fact that children under 12 remain unvaccinated.
As the state grapples with rising cases and hospitalizations, Governor DeSantis continues to resist mask mandates in schools while requesting additional federal resources to support Florida residents. This situation underscores a troubling paradox: demanding federal assistance while limiting local health measures.
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Summary
Florida’s recent request for 300 ventilators amid a surge in COVID-19 cases comes just days after the state banned mask mandates in schools. The rising number of hospitalizations, particularly among unvaccinated individuals and children, has raised alarm among healthcare professionals. Governor DeSantis’s policies continue to draw criticism as the state grapples with the pandemic’s impact.
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