Floridians Split On DeSantis’ COVID-19 Pandemic Response: Survey

FLORIDA — When it comes to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ coronavirus pandemic response over the past year and the state’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout in recent months, Floridians either love him or hate him — and there isn’t much in between — according to a recent survey by Patch.

It’s been a year of fear, trepidation and loss as the virus spread throughout Florida affecting the way residents and visitors work, learn, socialize and do business. Since the first COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Florida on March 1, there have been nearly 2 million cases in the state, and more than 33,000 people have died from the virus, according to state data.

Throughout it all, DeSantis has led the state through this global health crisis. To gauge how Floridians view the governor's response to the coronavirus and the vaccine rollout that followed, Patch conducted a reader survey.

Readers were asked to assign DeSantis “A”, “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” letter grades — with “A” being the highest score and “F” being the lowest — in various areas.

Patch received 2,459 responses to the survey. The survey is meant not to be a scientific poll, but only to give a broad idea of public sentiment.

According to the survey, 57 percent of respondents gave the governor low marks — a “D” or an “F” grade — for how he’s handled the pandemic overall. Just 33 percent of respondents gave him an “A” for his overall response.

“I believe that under the circumstances the governor has done an exceptional job. (Florida) has been ahead of most other states in opening up businesses and protecting its citizens,” one respondent shared.

Others said DeSantis did a “great” or “excellent” job.

But many respondents described his leadership during this crisis as “poor,” “disastrous” and “irresponsible,” and believe that “politics mattered most” for the governor.

“He’s an idiot!” one respondent wrote.

Early months of the pandemic

When the virus began to spread through Florida last spring, many respondents rated the governor harshly for his initial rollout of coronavirus restrictions during the first months of the pandemic. Nearly 37 percent rated him an “F” in this area, while about 16 percent gave him a “D.” About 30 percent of respondents gave him an “A” grade for his work early in the pandemic. Other respondents were split between “B” and “C” grades.

Discussing what the governor should have done differently at the time, many readers suggested he should have issued a statewide mask mandate last spring.

One reader suggested DeSantis should have “respected science and followed medical expert’s guidelines,” while another says he should have canceled travel to and throughout Florida.

But at least one reader thinks “he did everything right.”

DeSantis “is still fighting for Florida and the American People,” they added.

Florida’s reopening after lockdown

The governor issued a stay-at-home order for Florida residents and visitors, unless they were engaged in essential services and activities, April 1. During this period, many businesses were forced to close their doors or adapt their operations.

DeSantis allowed the state to reopen in phases starting May 4. About 42 percent of respondents gave the governor an “F” grade for his handling of the state’s reopening following lockdown.

Nearly 33 percent rated him an “A,” while about 15 percent gave him a “D,” nearly 6 percent gave him a “C” and nearly 5 percent gave him a “B.”

Many respondents felt DeSantis should have waited longer to reopen the state and were disappointed there was no mask mandate in place when it happened.

It was “too much, too soon,” one respondent said.

“He followed his savior rather than science and left counties and cities and businesses to make their own rules. He should have worked with businesses and people to embrace the science and should not have been so political in his decisions. People over politics should have been his action plan,” another respondent wrote.

Another reader felt, though, “that it was done in a controlled manner at a correct pace.”

DeSantis also received poor marks for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic when cases, deaths and hospitalizations began to rise in Florida during the fall. Nearly 49 percent of respondents gave him an “F” grade for this period. About 31 percent of respondents gave him an “A” grade, though.

The COVID-19 response in Florida’s nursing homes

About 33 percent of respondents gave the governor an “A” grade for his response to COVID-19 in Florida’s nursing homes. Not everyone was happy with how he handled it, though, as 29 percent gave him an “F” in this area and nearly 15 percent rated him a “D.”

One respondent said, “Addressing that population first was appropriate and it protected a vulnerable population.”

Another reader, though, said that “he lallygagged around, and reacted too slowly.”

Face masks and other COVID-19-related restrictions

While many states adopted mask mandates at some point during the pandemic, Florida was never one of them. Readers slammed DeSantis for this decision.

About 64 percent said he should have issued a statewide mask mandate and other coronavirus restrictions. About 32 percent of respondents disagree, though.

Readers described the coronavirus-related restrictions that were in place in Florida as “not strong enough,” “too lenient” and “a joke.”

“What restrictions?” one respondent asked.

Another person said, “They sucked. All of them sucked all over.”

Other readers called the restrictions in place “very livable” and “balanced.”

Some Florida cities and counties established their own mask mandates and other restrictions since there weren’t many rules at the state level. In September, DeSantis suspended — and later, in March, canceled — all fines related to violations of COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions put in place by local governments, making them unenforceable.

"I think those fines are out of control, and we want to make sure that folks are protected. Most of those restrictions have not been effective. That's just the reality. The evidence is in on that, so we just want to really go forward fresh. And we want people to make decisions, but we don't want it under the heavy-handed government," he said, according to Bay News 9.

Most survey respondents — nearly 62 percent of them — disagreed with the governor’s decision to cancel these fines, while nearly 33 percent were happy to see these fines disappear.

COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Survey respondents were also critical of DeSantis’ vaccine rollout in Florida, which started in December. Nearly 34 percent of those who responded gave him an “F” in this area, while another 17 percent rated him with a “D” grade.

One reader called the governor’s rollout “a well thought-out plan based on availability.”

Another said he did the “best he could.”

Many had criticism for him, though. Readers described it as “not well organized,” “chaotic” and “unfair.”

“Overall a very poor start. No state leadership or direction. Too much reliance on local government led to terrible inconsistencies,” one respondent wrote.

Some also criticized him for prioritizing wealthy communities, as well as political donors and allies. He’s been criticized for hosting vaccination events targeting the wealthy, including one in Lakewood Ranch that’s under investigation.

“I work in a restaurant and need a vaccine. He gave vaccines to wealthy white communities that donated to his campaign. That’s so wrong,” one respondent wrote.

Another said, “Rollout was a disaster for all but the politically connected.”

Coronavirus and Florida’s economy

As for DeSantis’ handling of the economy during the pandemic, 33 percent of respondents gave him an “A” grade. Around 26 percent rated him an “F,” though, and 18 percent gave him a “D,” nearly 16 percent gave him a “C” and 6 percent gave him a “B” in this area.

While some said that the economic assistance offered to Florida residents and businesses was “well done” and “good,” others called it “inadequate” and “not enough.”

“What assistance?” several respondents asked.

One reader wrote, “The unemployment system is a wreck and I got virtually nothing. He just doesn’t care.”

Another respondent said, “There should have been a plan from the start to help small businesses make the pivot to be able to survive. Too many large companies swallowed up funding before small business had a chance to apply.”

Virtual learning during the pandemic

Many Florida school districts were frustrated by the process of switching to virtual learning with little state support, and DeSantis was an early supporter of schools reopening. The governor slammed the closure of schools during the pandemic, calling it the “biggest public health blunder” in U.S. history, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.

Nearly 36 percent of respondents rate him an “F” for his handling of school policies during the pandemic. Nearly another 17 percent didn’t rate him much higher, giving him a “D.” Thirty-one percent of respondents graded him an “A” in this area, though.

One reader said, “Based on the circumstances I believe that the handling of the school opening was done in a cautious manner.”

Another respondent said that “he allowed students into schools too soon.”

“Teachers were expendable or burdened with double work,” another reader said.

“He should have gotten with the head superintendents to get their opinions on what they should do. You should always look to the people who are doing the jobs. They are there every day,” another reader wrote.

Transparency during the pandemic

DeSantis also received poor grades when it came to transparency during the coronavirus pandemic. About 48 percent of respondents rated him an “F” in this area. Another 10 percent gave him a “D” grade, while nearly 32 percent gave him an “A.”

“He lies, hides data and only cares about his friends that donated money to his campaign. He’s a self-entitled person and not fit to lead this state,” one respondent wrote.

Another said, “First his (numbers) in nursing homes, were hidden and he fired the woman (data scientist Rebekah Jones) who was doing her job correctly. If she can be fired from her job and, then have her house invaded by cops to take away the evidence, then he should be fired. If Cuomo is being held responsible (and) he did a great job in (New York,) should he be held accountable, so should DeSantis!! He hid (numbers.)”