“Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis named a UCLA doctor and health policy researcher who shares his approach to managing the coronavirus pandemic to serve as the state’s surgeon general Tuesday. ‘Florida will completely reject fear as a way of making policies in public health. So we’re done with fear,’ Ladapo said. ‘That’s been something that’s been, unfortunately, a centerpiece of health policy in the United States ever since the beginning of the pandemic and it’s over here. Expiration date. It’s done.’ DeSantis agreed there’s been misinformation spread about COVID-19 to control personal behavior. Lapado, who received his medical degree and a Ph.D. in health policy from Harvard University, will replace Dr. Scott Rivkees, whose contract expires at the end of the month. Lapado said vaccines aren’t the only way to combat COVID-19 and getting one is a personal choice. ‘Vaccines are up to the person. There’s nothing special about them compared to any other preventive measure,’ he said. ‘The state should be promoting good health, and vaccination isn’t the only path to that. It’s been treated almost like a religion. It’s just senseless. There’s lots of good pathways to health.’ And Lapado spoke out against lockdowns. ‘After lockdowns, overall mortality increased. Lockdowns are bad. Lots of reasons why they’re bad, that’s just one really good one,’ he said.”
“New Florida surgeon general,” The Washington Times, Sept. 21, 2021