Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is thinking about the possibility of reopening schools in the state “if it’s safe” amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Schools in Florida that have been closed since March due to the coronavirus outbreak could see a return of students for the few weeks left of the school year if the Republican governor feels the circumstances are right.

“We’re going to look at the evidence and make a decision,” DeSantis said Thursday at an education roundtable, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

“If it’s safe we want kids to be in school,” he added. “Even if it’s for a couple of weeks, we think there would be value in that.”

Speaking with teachers and parents alongside government leaders, DeSantis praised Florida’s Department of Education for the efforts to transition thousands of schoolchildren away from physical buildings and into home learning environments due to the global pandemic.

He looked at a potential timeline for reopening schools in the state as he addressed the topic that is sure to be highly debated.

“This particular pandemic is one where, I don’t think nationwide there’s been a single fatality under 25. For whatever reason it just doesn’t seem to threaten, you know, kids,” DeSantis said.

“And we lose in Florida between five and 10 kids a year for the flu. This one, for whatever reason, much more dangerous if you’re 65 and plus than the flu, no doubt about that. If you’re younger, it just hasn’t had an impact, so that should factor into how we’re viewing this. I think the data on that has been 100 percent consistent,” he continued. “I’ve not seen any deviation on that.”

He reiterated that if the decision was reached to move forward at some point when things were deemed safe for children, the reopening of campuses would occur in two-week increments and based on federal and health recommendations.

“It may be that not every county is going to be treated the same in all this,” DeSantis said.

Nearly 17,000 people in Florida have tested positive for COVID-19, and more than 370 deaths reported, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.

Naturally, the Florida governor’s remarks, though filtered with acknowledgment of federal and health guidelines, were quickly reported negatively by the liberal media.

“Florida governor falsely claims the coronavirus hasn’t killed anyone under 25,” read a CNN headline, claiming that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “reports on its website that four people between the ages of 15 and 24 and one person between the ages of one and four have died.”

The outlet also pointed to the deaths of babies in Connecticut and Illinois, while admitting the “death is being investigated as possibly caused by the virus.”

Last week, conservative activist and commentator Candace Owens pulled back the curtain on the questionable reporting on some deaths, focusing on the Connecticut infant who allegedly died from COVID-19.

Candace Owens calls for governor to step down after he lied about newborn death link to COVID-19 https://t.co/vjKJ6s4cBM

— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) April 4, 2020

MSNBC joined CNN in a smug criticism of DeSantis, offering a condescending “fact-check” on his remarks.

(Source: MSNBC)

Twitter users weighed in on the governor’s remarks with critics quick to spread the narrative and accuse DeSantis of endangering the population with a decision he has not even made yet.

More shame on @GovRonDeSantis https://t.co/QyAJBEPlHB

— Bobby (@raw0ner) April 10, 2020

He will be a murderer https://t.co/XWehK3LXMf

— Lisa Moraitis🇬🇷🇺🇸 (@LisaMoraitis1) April 10, 2020

Ron DeSantis is considering reopening Florida schools, because he doesn't believe Covid-19 kills anyone under 25. This is of course false.

It also means DeSantis doesn't value the lives of teachers, custodians, librarians, parents, and grandparents.

— Leslieoo7 ☠️ 🇺🇲 (@Leslieoo7) April 10, 2020

But many on Twitter called out the “propaganda” and those who refuse to stick to the facts.

Worry about a different state, CNN. Ron has been the best Governor ever in the Sunshine state. Take your propaganda somewhere else.

— Uncle Tom Tom (@NoleLuckNeeded) April 10, 2020

Of course ppl are mocking Gov DeSantis for this, but they largely don’t understand how COVID-19 transmission works, coupled w virtually nonexistent impact on young. Based on data available, it’s 100% right call to reopen schools. Easiest of calls, in fact. https://t.co/NbcTtTuKVp

— Jordan Schachtel (@JordanSchachtel) April 10, 2020

Opening schools will be the one thing that can get everything back to normal quickly.

— Prusmama (@LadyPrusma) April 10, 2020

God forbid the governor be allowed to use common sense. Fear mongers and doom sayers will pounce, but it’s the right call.

— John Lee (@ubahmlee) April 10, 2020

Regardless of what @GovRonDeSantis decision is, the left’s heads will explode. He is in a tough situation.

— Stephen Huang (@GatlinHuang) April 10, 2020

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Frieda Powers

Senior Staff Writer
Frieda@bizpacreview.com

Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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