HEADLINES: DeSantis’ “Demented” Top Doc Fails to Defend His Vaccine Hesitancy and Conspiracy Theories in a Disastrous Hearing
Dr. Ladapo’s Evasiveness Caused Democrats to Walk Out of Confirmation Hearing in Disgust
Yesterday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, appeared before a state senate committee where he dodged questions about the effectiveness of vaccinations and refused to express regret for refusing to wear a mask during a visit with a state senator who is battling cancer. At the end of the hearing, Democrats walked out in disgust over his misinformation and lies.
Dr. Ladapo has a long history of working to prolong the pandemic on behalf of his boss, Ron DeSantis. He takes political stances instead of following the science and medicine, encouraging vaccine skepticism, promoting treatments unproven against COVID-19, and discouraging the use of masks for children.
In response to his mess of a hearing, the editorial board of the South Florida Sun Sentinel called for Dr. Ladapo “and his contrived evasiveness” to go.
Below are a collection of reactions to Dr. Ladapo’s horrific display:
Tampa Bay Times: Florida Democrats Walk Out Of Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo Confirmation Hearing. “After an hour of grilling Ladapo on COVID-19 vaccines, his resume and other Department of Health initiatives, Democrats refused to participate in the vote… The Republicans on the committee then quickly advanced Ladapo’s nomination. Democrats are in the minority on the committee, and their votes would not have changed the outcome.” [Tampa Bay Times, 1/26/22]
WPTV: Florida Democrats Walk Out Of Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo’s Confirmation Hearing. “Following the vote, Ladapo said he wished Democrats well, despite the walkout… He was then asked if he felt that he adequately answered questions from Democrats. ‘My goal was to accurately answer their questions. I think I fulfilled that goal,’ Ladapo said. The doctor has vowed Florida will be ‘done with fear’ as it fights COVID and said he’s bringing a ‘holistic’ approach to the pandemic.” [WPTV, 1/26/22]
Panama City Herald: Florida Physicians Call On Gov. Ron DeSantis, Ladapo To Drop Politics From Public Health. “Three prominent Florida physicians on Wednesday called on Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo to focus on public health and stop politicizing response to the COVID-19 pandemic… Earlier this week, DeSantis and Ladapo condemned a decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to halt the distribution of antibody treatments that have become central to the state’s COVID response. Despite all previous indications and warnings from the federal government that these drugs don’t work against the omicron variant, DeSantis has made it the main part of the state’s response to COVID-19, bucking the prevailing wisdom of the national medical community.” [Panama City Herald, 1/26/22]
WESH: Democrats Walk Out Of Hearing For Controversial Florida Surgeon General Nominee. “Dr. Joseph Ladapo appeared before the Senate’s health committee on Wednesday, which marked his first hearing in the confirmation process. ‘We don’t feel that we’re getting any answers met,’ Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book said. The Democrat from Plantation led other members of her party in storming out of the hearing. The show of disapproval came after a fiery exchange about masks where Ladapo repeatedly dodged yes or no questions. ‘Just a yes or no: Do vaccines work in fighting against COVID-19?’ Book said. ‘As a scientist, I am compelled to answer the scientific question,’ Ladapo said.” [WESH, 1/26/22]
The New York Times: Frustrated Democrats Walk Out Of A Confirmation Hearing For Florida’s Surgeon General. “Committee members had questioned Dr. Ladapo for about an hour regarding the skepticism he had expressed concerning vaccines and masks to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Several times, Ms. Book tried to make Dr. Ladapo answer yes or no to whether vaccines and masks have been effective. But Dr. Ladapo gave longer answers instead, laying out views that were far from the strong endorsements of vaccines, booster shots and mask wearing from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” [The New York Times, 1/26/22]
Daily Beast: DeSantis’ Demented Doc Is About To Get The Grilling He Deserves. “Ladapo just ignored this inconvenient reality. He had at other times described reliance on vaccines and face coverings and testing as “the trifecta of stupidity.” And he gave no indication he would not simply further his reckless and irresponsible nonsense on Wednesday, when he is scheduled to appear at a confirmation hearing by the Health Policy Committee of the state Senate.” [Daily Beast, 1/26/22]
CNN: Florida Surgeon General Favorably Recommended After Democrats Walk Out Of Confirmation Hearing. “A contentious confirmation hearing for Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo ended abruptly Wednesday after Democrats walked out in protest, prompting Republicans to immediately vote to favorably recommend Ladapo.” [CNN, 1/26/22]