That's one SICK country

Florida governor says no salaries for school leaders requiring masks: 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, [apparently a heartless idiot and] a vocal critic of COVID restrictions, has said the state can withhold salaries from school leaders who enact mask mandates. He earlier issued an order against such policies in schools, but some districts have pushed back, saying their pupils must still mask. The row comes as US schools begin their new academic year, and as Delta variant surges affect younger groups.

Florida is one of several states in the southern US to see dramatic rises in virus cases and hospital admissions in recent weeks.

Public health experts and teachers say masks are needed to prevent the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant - especially as the vaccines are not yet approved for children under the age of 12. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says students above the age of two and all staff should mask indoors even if they are vaccinated, and socially distance in classrooms to reduce risk.

More than 13,600 people in Florida were in hospital with COVID-19 as of 21-8-9, according to federal health authorities. There are over 100 children currently in hospital due to the virus, local media report.

About half of the Sunshine State's population has been fully vaccinated.