Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) on Tuesday proposed permanently banning COVID-19 mask mandates and vaccine requirements in the state.

Key Quotes: "It required us over the past few years to stand against major institutions in our society: The bureaucracy, the medical establishment, legacy media and even the President of the United States who, together, were working to impose a biomedical security state on society." DeSantis said while speaking in Panama City Beach. "When the world lost its mind, Florida was a refuge of sanity, serving strongly as freedom's linchpin. These measures will ensure Florida remains this way and will provide landmark protections for free speech for medical practitioners."

For Context: DeSantis enacted a ban on vaccine mandates in late 2021. With it set to expire in June, he's now seeking to preserve it. DeSantis has been a frequent critic of many COVID-19 public health policies, and in December, he asked Florida's Supreme Court to approve an investigation into "any and all wrongdoing in Florida with respect to Covid-19 vaccines." The court approved his request.

How the Media Covered It: The proposal was a top story from news sources across the spectrum. CNN highlighted how DeSantis has frequently opposed Biden administration COVID-19 rules. Fox News highlighted how "DeSantis asserted that those under 40 who get booster shots are more at risk from boosters than they are from COVID-19."