CNN admits Gov. Ron DeSantis succeeded despite refusing to lock down Florida and social media is melting down



A CNN report admitted that the pandemic plan by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in Florida has been largely a success, and many on social media fired off angry responses at the article and the journalist who authored it.

The article by CNN's chief national affairs correspondent Jeff Zeleny cautiously admits that DeSantis has been able to save the economy of the state without the massive death toll that many were predicting.

As many parts of the country embark on an uneasy march toward normalcy, Florida is not only back in business -- it's been in business for the better part of the past year. DeSantis' gamble to take a laissez faire approach appears to be paying off -- at least politically, at least for now, as other governors capturing attention in the opening phase of the pandemic now face steeper challenges.

Zeleny goes on to document how Florida is in the middle of the pack when it comes to the coronavirus cases, ranking 23rd worst out of 50 states. But California, which was first to lock down statewide and implemented very stringent lockdown policies, came in at 22nd.

After a year of criticism by health experts, mockery from comedians and blistering critiques from political rivals,… https://t.co/0AAzS72Ard
— CNN (@CNN)1615995010.0

The article also pointed out that Florida is booming compared to other states that locked down their economies.

DeSantis refused to implement a mask mandate in the first place, making him an outlier a year ago. At the time, he was hewing closely to President Donald Trump's playbook, which he argued at the time was good for business.

The unemployment rate in Florida is 4.8 %, according to the latest figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, compared to 6.8% in Texas, 8.8% in New York and 9% in California.

Although Zeleny was cautious in his praise and noted the controversy surrounding accusations of privileged access to vaccinations in Florida, critics of DeSantis were furious at any concession to the Republican governor.

Many of them took to Twitter to express their outrage:

"CNN you're out of your f***ing minds for this headline," tweeted DJ Ross One.

"Get the f*** out of here with this s**t," replied screenwriter Dan Hernandez.

"CNN pushing this narrative that DeSantis is some kind of hero is f***ing bulls***," said David Weiner.

"Like, What The Actual F***, CNN? Don't you have access to the same information *I* have on DeSantis' execrable record on his pandemic response?" replied another user who identified herself as a mother.

"Who the f**k wrote this nonsense article? Desantis has shunned science and silenced the public health officials in his state. He makes sure upper class, white people get vaccinated over minorities. He's such a leader," responded another sore user.

DeSantis came in second in popularity behind former President Donald Trump in the last CPAC straw poll, and is considered by many to be a presidential favorite in 2024.

Here's more about Florida's success from CNN:

Florida Governor DeSantis' Covid-19 response gets a second look | CNN Internationalwww.youtube.com

DeSantis slams Biden's idea of reinstating lockdowns as 'insane,' vows no more shutdowns in Florida



Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis blasted President Joe Biden's threat of potentially reinstating coronavirus shutdowns. DeSantis promised that he would not put the Sunshine State back in coronavirus pandemic lockdowns.

During Biden's address to the nation on the one-year anniversary of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, the president warned that the United States could reestablish shutdowns if Americans "don't stay vigilant."

"Unity is what we do together as fellow Americans, because if we don't stay vigilant and the conditions change, then we may have to reinstate restrictions to get back on track," Biden said on Thursday.

"Please, we don't want to do that again. We've made so much progress," Biden added. "This is not the time to let up, just as we were emerging from a dark winter into a hopeful spring and summer is not the time to not stick with the rules."

DeSantis, who was one of the first U.S. governors to reopen his state, bashed Biden's notion of reinstating lockdown measures.

"To even contemplate doing any type of lockdown, honestly it's insane," DeSantis said during a press conference in Florida.

DeSantis then promised the residents and businesses that he would not close the state because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"That's not gonna happen in the state of Florida," the Republican governor of Florida said. "We're gonna continue doing what works, but under no circumstances would we entertain anything of the sort."

Gov. Ron DeSantis calls Biden's plan insane youtu.be

DeSantis also declared that the age for eligible recipients of the coronavirus vaccine would decrease to age 55 this month.

"We will be doing 55 this month for sure," DeSantis said, but did not provide an exact date. The age for vaccine recipients will drop to age 60 on Monday, according to the Florida Times-Union.

Previously, DeSantis ripped Biden last month over his coronavirus hypocrisy of floating a potential domestic travel ban on the state of Florida, while simultaneously welcoming untested immigrants at the U.S. southern border. DeSantis labeled Biden as a "lockdowner."

Biden was also slammed for telling Americans that they might be allowed to gather in "small groups" by the Fourth of July. During his first prime-time speech, Biden said

"If we do all this, if we do our part, if we do this together, by July the Fourth, there's a good chance, you, your families and friends will be able to get together in your back yard or in your neighborhood and have a cookout and a barbecue and celebrate Independence Day," Biden said in his speech. "That doesn't mean large events with lots of people together, but it does mean small groups will be able to get together."

Biden was mocked by many online for "not understanding what Independence Day means," and one person stated, "We live in a free country, we can see our loved ones before July 4th, any time before and any time after."