Commissioner Melissa McKinlay biography (click here).
Distributing vaccines is like a community ad, right? Those that do the job are thought of differently than those that do not do the job. It was a poor decision to even allow a hint of corruption to enter the picture.
Governor DeSantis goes on and on about how CBS's narrative is false and he is exonerated from allowing a $100,000 donor to his campaign exclusive rights to vaccinations. It is definitely "Pay to Play" regardless of the explanation DeSantis gives.
I like Publix. I think it is a very fine grocery store. This scheme to reach areas of the county where seniors live may be a great idea, but, the facts are clear. Publix was a huge donor to the Governor's campaign AND they left out a woman commissioner in the decision-making who believes the government handles vaccination just fine.
I don't know of any senior citizens that would not appreciate walking out of their homes to an awaiting van for a vaccine.
The CBS journalist, Sharyn Alfonsi, specifically names Commissioner McKinlay. It is simply wrong to completely eliminate a woman elected by the people out of the discussion as to what is best for the people of her district.
DeSantis is wrong. No matter his justification for allowing Publix to distribute vaccines it is a Pay to Play directive by DeSantis. It just is. There were no plans submitted to be cleared by the mayor or the administrator so a decision could be voted on and/or decided, he did not meet with everyone in Palm Beach County because Commissioner McKinlay was not contacted.
DeSantis decided. He clearly stated he gave Palm Beach County mayor and administrator his options for the county. So, DeSantis decided what was best and then presented those limited options to the people running the government.
I don't like DeSantis' narrative and the CBS journalist has a point regardless of his dismissal of it. He is wrong and a woman official elected by the people was completely excluded from any facts, presentation, or decision.
Perhaps CBS and Ms. Alfonsi will make a visit again with Commission McKinlay to see how indeed the distribution of the vaccine is going and whether or not Senior Citizens are getting their vaccinations.
And, by the way, where is the reporting of the vaccines to the county health commissioner who should be following the vaccinations for adverse effects?
There is a huge divide in the USA between the way the two parties conduct themselves. DeSantis went out on a limb to decide the best way forward without any real medical consultation. Ms. McKinlay included Jared Moskowitz (click here) Director of Florida's Division of Emergency Management. He was appointed by the governor. Democrats like the government to have control of emergency situations while Republicans like to dispel the idea government is competent when it is so very much better to let the commercial industry handle everything.
This has to stop. The USA cannot continually be on a roller coaster of administrative directives. That is a banana republic. There is a CORRECT way of doing things and there is an inexcusable incorrect way of doing things. The government is supposed to protect citizens not exploit them for Pay to Play.
