This is Florida's Surgeon General being removed from a #COVID19 briefing by @GovRonDeSantis staff right after saying we'll need to social distance until there is a vaccine. t.co/3pBOV7dMP5 pic.twitter.com/czp7dTqfdT
— Kevin Cate (@KevinCate) April 13, 2020
Florida’s Surgeon General Scott A. Rivkees was removed from state Gov. Ron DeSantis’ cabinet coronavirus meeting today moments after stating that social distancing measures would need to continue until the creation of a vaccine. Video captured Rivkees’ comment and his subsequent removal by DeSantis’ Communications Director, Helen Aguirre Ferré.
In a video of his removal shared on Twitter, Rivkees responds to a question by stating, “So as long as we’re going to have COVID[-19] in the environment, and this is a tough virus, we’re going to have to practice these measures so that we are all protected.”
When asked how soon he expects a vaccine to emerge, Rivkees responds, “Based on what has been reported, probably a year if not longer is what some individuals have talked about.”
At this point, Ferré comes over to Rivkees and whispers a few times in his ear. Rivkees can be heard responding, “Okay,” several times. The second time that Ferré comes over to Rivkees, Rivkees then rises from his chair and then is accompanied out of the room by Ferré.
Newsweek has reached out to DeSantis’ office for comment. The office had not responded by the time of publication.