TAMPA, Fla. - As the Florida governor approached the lectern for a press conference in Tampa, there were a few students waiting while wearing masks.A handful of students from Middleton High School were in attendance for Gov.
Ron DeSantis' announcement. Before he was set to reveal a cybersecurity training initiative at the University of South Florida, he told them:"You do not have to wear those masks.
Please take those off. Honestly, it’s not doing anything."Several of the students obliged, but at least two kept their face coverings on throughout the press conference."If you want to wear it fine, but this is ridiculous," DeSantis said before turning to the lectern and shaking his head.
The governor went on to announce a $20-million program aimed at creating more opportunities in cybersecurity through the school's Center for Cybersecurity.In a statement to FOX 13's Briona Arradondo, a representative for the governor's office said "the CDC has even stopped recommending mask wearing for most Americans," however, the CDC says Hillsborough County is still considered a high transmission area, and guidance on the agency's website says to wear a mask indoors in public, in high transmission areas.