Judge Blocks Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Ban On Mask Mandates: ‘They Simply Do Not Have That Authority’

A judge has blocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ban on mask mandates in schools.

Last month, DeSantis issued an executive order to block schools in Florida from implementing a mask mandate, saying parents have the right to choose if their child should wear a mask or not.

But, Leon County’s 2nd Judicial Circuit Court Judge, John Cooper, just slapped him dead in the face with a block of his own, noting they don’t have the legal power to block a mask mandate. “They simply do not have that authority,” said Cooper.

In his decision, Cooper provided evidence from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which suggested that everyone wear a mask.

“I have heard significant evidence concerning the medical and scientific basis for face mask policies and I conclude this evidence demonstrates that face mask policies that follow CDC guidance at this point in time are reasonable,” he said, referring to what the CDC calls “the gold standard.”

For now, DeSantis’s ban will stay in place until Cooper writes up his own order, which is expected to be issued early next week.