DeSantis Accused Of Favoring Wealthy For COVID Vaccine Rollout

ACROSS FLORIDA — Gov. Ron DeSantis is accused of allowing politics to play a role in COVID vaccine distributions, National Public Radio reported.

Gov. Ron DeSantis became testy on Tuesday as reporters at a vaccine event in Lakewood Ranch questioned him about the perception he was favoring one community over another in a county where vaccinations have lagged behind the rest of the state, the outlet reported.

Lakewood Ranch is an affluent retirement community.

DeSantis reached out to Lakewood Ranch’s developer and offered to set up an exclusive vaccination site, according to Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh, the Bradenton Herald reported.

“I chose those two ZIP codes because it is not just Lakewood Ranch but it’s part of Myakka City, Braden River and Rosedale,” Baugh told the Herald. “Those two ZIP codes are huge areas that really encompass lots of southeast area of Manatee County, which is what the governor wanted to do.”

The 3,000 shots were reserved at the temporary vaccination site for residents who lived in the 34202 and 34211 ZIP codes, which include Lakewood Ranch and other wealthy neighborhoods in Manatee County, the outlet reported.

The two ZIP codes make up part of Baugh’s District 5, according to the newspaper.

DeSantis said the shots were in addition to the county's regular weekly allotment. He threatened to take away vaccines from Manatee County and give them to other counties if residents didn't like it.

"If Manatee County doesn't like us doing this," DeSantis said, "then we are totally fine putting this in counties that want it. We're totally happy to do that. Anyone that’s saying that, let us know if you want us to send it Sarasota or Charlotte or Pasco or wherever, let us know — we’re happy to do it."

Florida's positive coronavirus cases as of Wednesday since the start of the pandemic are 1,844,627, the Florida Department of Health reported. Coronavirus-related deaths are 29,824, and hospitalizations are 76,825.

According to NPR, Florida's Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who's suggested she may challenge DeSantis when he's up for re-election next year said, "There is no reason that Governor DeSantis should be rationing vaccines based on political influence. This is troubling and potentially illegal."

Manny Diaz, the new head of Florida's Democratic Party said, DeSantis must stop "playing politics" with vaccine distribution, the outlet reported. "Threatening retribution and less vaccine access for communities that criticize the vaccine rollout for its problems is shameful and inhumane," Diaz said.