To the editor:

According to the CDC, Covid cases have increased 23% nationwide over the past seven days. The numbers continue to rise with a new variant on the scene. At the same time, news outlets report that because the state stripped local governments of their powers to fight it, Florida has fewer tools to fight the new omicron variant

Florida’s governor claims to adhere to the conservative principle of smaller government. This is a false claim because Ron DeSantis asked for, and received from the Florida Legislature, a new law granting him sweeping powers to invalidate local measures or regulations. One might call that dictator powers.

Based on his attacks on local school boards during the surge, stripping them of their state constitutional power to govern public schools and their salaries if they crossed him, we can expect harsh retaliation if hard-hit localities try to combat another surge.

We seem to have quickly forgotten that during the summer surge, Covid was far deadlier in Florida than any other state, in total numbers and per-capita deaths. Between June 20, the beginning of the surge, until October, more than 18,000 Floridians died of Covid. No other state even comes close.

With Florida’s governor firmly on the side of the virus, local jurisdictions will have their hands tied if they attempt to protect citizens or schoolchildren with public safety measures. There’s an election in less than a year; vote as if your life depends on it.

Susan McGuire

Bokeelia