“In Florida, you can get fired for protecting your health. That’s the message my Republican colleagues sent when they failed to protect everyday Floridians from being discriminated against or fired for following CDC guidance and getting a COVID vaccine. I fought for children in my community who have been told not to hug their parents if they’ve been vaccinated, and for their teachers whose livelihoods have been threatened if they choose to get a shot for their own health and for the health of our state.”
Last week, a Miami private school declared teachers and staff were barred from getting the COVID-19 vaccine – that they would not be allowed near students if they had already received it, and that their employment would be terminated if they chose to be vaccinated against COVID moving forward. The Centner Academy cited disinformation and fears that vaccinated individuals may negatively impact the health of others who are non-vaccinated, including allegations about unvaccinated women experiencing changes in their menstrual cycles after spending time with vaccinated people. The school also warned children not to hug their vaccinated parents.
Today, Senator Pizzo (D-Miami) introduced an amendment on the Senate Floor to prevent any business, government entity, or educational institution from moving to “reject, restrict, obstruct, interfere, prevent, or deny” a person entry, services, or use because the person is vaccinated against COVID-19. It failed.
Leila Centner, founder of the Centner Academy, recently donated $1 million to the GOP. The Florida Republican-controlled Senate voted down Senator Pizzo’s measure.
