To the editor:

Ron DeSantis is gambling with the health and safety of Florida’s schoolchildren. And he is doing so in violation of the Florida Constitution, which says school boards shall operate, control, and supervise all free public schools. His executive order to withhold funding from school districts that do not comply with his dictates appears to exceed his executive power.

DeSantis says he “questions” the science of face masks. His executive order is based on the position that his opinion is equivalent to the knowledge of scientific experts. Because he is governor, he has the power to turn opinion into public policy.

Face masks decrease the spread of respiratory viruses. Over 99% of COVID deaths occur in the unvaccinated. Vaccinations are about 94% effective at preventing transmission of COVID 19 infection. The Delta variant is 1,000 times more transmissible than the original COVID 19 virus. The virus is mutating, aided greatly by the unvaccinated, so there will be future variants. Pretending it is not a clear and present danger makes matters worse, not better.

The truth is that scientifically proven public health measures, not politically motivated opinions, are needed to protect schoolchildren from COVID 19 when classes resume this year.

Kathleen Fanny

Cape Coral