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DeSantis announces special session to protect those whose jobs are affected by vaccine mandate

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday announced a special session to provide protections for Floridians who have lost their jobs or had their employment threatened due to vaccine mandates. The session will go from Nov. 15-19.

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“Your right to earn a living should not be contingent upon COVID shots,” DeSantis said in a news release. “We have somehow gone from 15 days to slow the spread to three jabs to keep your job. In Florida, we believe that the decision whether or not to get a COVID shot is a choice based on individual circumstances, so we are litigating against the Biden administration and will be passing legislation in this Special Session to protect Florida jobs and protect parents’ rights when it comes to masking and quarantines. The health, education, and well-being of our children are primarily the responsibility of parents. As long as I am Governor, parents in Florida will play a strong role in determining what their kids are learning and how they’re treated in school.”

READ: 95% of Orange County employees comply with COVID-19 vaccine mandate so far

DeSantis called for the special session last week during a news conference where he was joined by first responders, health care workers, airline employees and more who have faced or are facing consequences as a result of vaccine mandates.

READ: Coronavirus: Traces of the Mu variant have been found in this city’s wastewater

On Thursday, DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody announced a lawsuit against President Joe Biden’s administration, calling the vaccine mandates “unconstitutional.” Florida is the first state to bring a comprehensive legal action against the mask mandate.

READ: FDA gives OK for low-dose Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for children 5 to 11

See the full story in the video above.

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Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.