The White House, which has been caught lying about virtually everything, is facing backlash for trying to smear Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The smear began with a McClatchy piece published Friday.
“Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is now allowing healthcare providers — including pediatricians and children’s hospitals — to order COVID-19 vaccines from a federal program for children between six months and 5 years old, a reversal from earlier this week when providers were prevented from preordering doses, White House officials told McClatchy,” the piece reads.
The claim quickly went viral across the entire Internet thanks to dozens of journalists and activists who refused to double-check their alleged facts:
Exclusive: Ron DeSantis has reversed course and will allow Florida health care providers to order COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5, facing intense public pressure over his initial decision not to place orders with the federal government. https://t.co/nqqYyrKO6u
— Michael Wilner (@mawilner) June 17, 2022
NEW: After outcry from doctors, and federal questions about @GovRonDeSantis‘ refusal to pre-order pediatric vaccines, White House says governor has reversed course and will now let docs and hospitals order vaccines for young patients. by @mawilner https://t.co/QBO9EwhBgu
— Mary Ellen Klas (@MaryEllenKlas) June 17, 2022
Why did Ron DeSantis have to be pressured in order for him to actually protect our kids?https://t.co/nh4hmsz9m0
— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) June 17, 2022
Ron DeSantis tried to deny kids Covid vaccines. He was willing to risk our children’s lives just to score a few points with the anti-vaxxer GQP base so he can try to run for president. He only reversed course when he got criticized for it.
Florida parents: Remember in November.
— Tristan Snell (@TristanSnell) June 17, 2022
In a statement to McClatchy, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre doubled down on this narrative.
“We are encouraged that after repeated failures by Governor DeSantis to order COVID-19 vaccines even after every other state had ordered, the State of Florida is now permitting healthcare providers to order COVID-19 vaccines for our youngest children. We believe it is critical to allow parents everywhere to have the choice to get their kids vaccinated and have a conversation with their pediatrician or healthcare provider,” she said.
“Even though Governor DeSantis reversed course and is now ordering vaccines, we will pull every lever to get pediatricians across Florida vaccines as quickly as possible,” Jean-Pierre said. “This is an encouraging first step, and we urge the state to order vaccines for its state and local health departments, so that all Florida parents have the opportunity to get their children vaccinated.”
The premise was that DeSantis had essentially bowed down to the Biden administration. But according to the Florida governor and his top administration officials, this premise was yet another lie from this administration.
FL never “reversed course.” We recommended against COVID-19 vax for healthy children in March b/c there was no strong evidence of benefit. This remains the same for healthy kids <5. Providers have always been able to order vaccines. This never changed.
Nice try, @WhiteHouse.
— Joseph A. Ladapo, MD, PhD (@FLSurgeonGen) June 17, 2022
According to Florida Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo, healthcare providers in the Sunshine State have “always” been allowed to purchase COVID vaccines for children.
The only difference between Florida and other states, he added, is that Florida hasn’t recommended these vaccines because of a lack of “strong evidence of benefit.”
DeSantis’ press secretary, Christina Pushaw, echoed Ladapo, writing in tweets that Florida’s policy remains the same as before.
“The State of Florida is not placing any orders of covid shots for 0-5 year old babies & kids. … The only thing that’s changed was the federal government (FDA) issued the EUA for the shots today. Obviously, there must be FDA approval or an EUA for the system to process orders from healthcare providers,” she wrote.
“Retract your lies,” she added.
In other words, Florida healthcare providers have always been allowed to purchase vaccines for children but were unable to because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration hadn’t approved the vaccine yet.
The White House @PressSec & @McClatchyDC are both spreading disinformation. NOTHING has “reversed” or changed. The State of Florida is not placing any orders of covid shots for 0-5 year old babies & kids.
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) June 17, 2022
What they have couched as a reversal is actually the Governor’s steadfast position that the State of Florida does not recommend nor distribute shots for babies. Any healthcare provider that wants the vaccines can obtain them and any parent who wants it for their child can get it.
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) June 17, 2022
No state policy change in Florida. The only thing that’s changed was the federal government (FDA) issued the EUA for the shots today.
Obviously, there must be FDA approval or an EUA for the system to process orders from healthcare providers.
Retract your lies.
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) June 17, 2022
However, the White House is predictably still not backing down. It never does.
White House COVID coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha claimed “yesterday pediatricians in every state but Florida could order directly from feds” but “[t]oday they can,” as reported by Zac Anderson of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
“Something clearly changed between yesterday and today in the state of Florida,” Jha reportedly said in his own words.
Dr. Jha responds to question about @ChristinaPushaw saying FL hasn’t reversed course. Jha says yesterday pediatricians in every state but Florida could order directly from feds. Today they can in FL. “Something clearly changed between yesterday and today in the state of Florida” https://t.co/UvFqxvywmq
— Zac Anderson (@zacjanderson) June 17, 2022
But because the White Houses lies so darn much, few appear to be buying the narrative that Jha and the White House at large is selling.
Look:
could u quit lying about this.
— Jake (@Jake67_patriot) June 17, 2022
Florida hasn’t changed a thing, but you know that.#propagandist
— The Cult of Masks (@Back9Trading) June 17, 2022
The only thing that changed is your spin because you got owned.
— Ultra Gang Calvin Will Not Comply 🇺🇸🇺🇸🐶🏒 🎶 (@shoveitjack) June 17, 2022
More propaganda from Biden and his cronies. You know the ones that told us inflation was transitory and don’t care if you can feed your kids. You should tots take them seriously.
— Jade Law (@JadeChaiTea) June 18, 2022
That is a lie. The drug was NOT approved by the fda yesterday when the first smear article was released, no doctor in any state could order it. Today it has been approved and doctors in all 50 states can order. Nothing was reversed. Nothing changed either, WH and you still lying.
— Erin (@Erin86132046) June 18, 2022
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Writers and editors can be contacted at writers@bizpcreview.com with feedback, tips, or corrections.
V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
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