Martina Navratilova criticizes Florida governor Ron DeSantis’ glorified Covid – 19 strategy in seething tweet

DeSantis has used his pandemic response as Florida Governor as a cornerstone argument in his bid to be president.

Martina Navratilova criticizes Florida governor Ron DeSantis’ glorified Covid – 19 strategy in seething tweet

Martina Navratilova and Ron DeSantis (Credits: Wimbledon / BBC)

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova recently took to Twitter to criticize Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She claimed that many American lives were lost due to his flawed policies.

She wrote, “I wonder just how many more lives were lost to Covid overall thanks to the ridiculous politics and policies of #TFG (i.e the Trump Administration), DeSantis et al… #psychopathic.” Navratilova’s comments come on the eve of DeSantis’ presidential campaign, and his use of his pandemic response as governor, as a plus-point to back his campaign.

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In September 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic raged on, Governor DeSantis took a controversial approach to the crisis. He considered the worst was over for Florida and began easing preventive measures. Fast forward to the present, and Governor DeSantis touts his COVID strategy as a triumph and a cornerstone of his presidential campaign.

However, a meticulous review of Florida’s pandemic response, including an examination of data on deaths, hospital visits, and vaccination rates, revealed a more nuanced perspective.  

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DeSantis’ flawed approach was a clear departure from the norm

Ron DeSantis
Ron DeSantis (Credits: CNBC)

Governor DeSantis became a prominent figure during the pandemic. He advocated for individual rights and freedoms over strict government intervention. His strategy involved resisting pressure from health authorities and adopting a unique approach to managing the crisis.

While other states implemented strict measures such as limiting indoor dining and imposing mask mandates, DeSantis prioritized preserving jobs, in-person schooling, and the overall quality of life. His approach resonated with many who believed that personal liberties were being compromised in the name of public health.

While Governor DeSantis claims that Florida “got it right,” a closer examination of the data on deaths raises questions about the impact of his approach. The number of COVID-related deaths in Florida remained high throughout the pandemic. Over 600 Americans lost their lives daily during the peak. Despite the state’s relatively large population, the death toll cannot be overlooked as a significant consequence of the approach taken by Governor DeSantis.

DeSantis’ has glossed over such details in highlighting and glorifying his pandemic response. This has been done to strengthen his case to be the next US President. Many people, however, the tennis legend Navratilova included, have witnessed the brunt of his flawed policies firsthand. It most likely that they will continue to raise their voices against him.

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