More than 14,500 Leon County residents have contracted COVID-19 since March and 1,400 are being tested daily. Those stats are from Monday’s meeting between the city, county and Leon School District. The state of Florida is making plans to start distributing COVID-19 vaccines as they become available with healthcare workers given priority. Leon County School Superintendent Rocky Hanna says teachers should be high on the priority list as well.
“I don’t know how much autonomy we’re going to have at the local level, but we’re asking a lot of them, not unlike other essential workers in our community. So in my mind, they should be right there at the top of the list for a vaccination when one becomes available,” Hanna said, in response to Mayor John Dailey's question about where the county stood on COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans.
Leon County Administrator Vince Long says he’s in contact with state emergency response officials and will provide more information about vaccines as it becomes available.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has said the state won’t force anyone to get a vaccine. Still, Republican Rep. Anthony Sabatini has filed a bill that would eliminate the state’s power to require vaccinations during pandemics.
Meanwhile, County Commissioner Rick Minor remains concerned about infection rates. The U.S. is in the midst of another spike in cases and so too is Florida.
"There is a perception that people might be able to relax or let their guard down," Minor said. "And that could not be further from the truth."
