Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been roundly criticized for his handling of the pandemic that's caused a public health crisis in the United States.
DeSantis waited until Wednesday to announce a stay-at-home order for his state of Florida, where the virus is nearing 7,000 cases.
Now, a cruise ship with 190 passengers experiencing flu-like symptoms is desperate to disembark so its passengers can receive medical assistance. So far, four people on the ship have died.
In a time when Republicans are calling for the nation to come together, DeSantis's plan leaves a lot to be desired.
The Governor told reporters:
"We are going to be willing to accept Floridians on board. My understanding is most of the passengers are foreign nationals."
DeSantis went on to say he was worried that providing medical assistance to the ship's passengers would result in hospitals overcrowding.
The remarks were consistent with what DeSantis told Fox News in an interview on Monday:
"We cannot afford to have people who are not even Floridians dumped into South Florida using up those valuable resources."
DeSantis's lack of concern for the hundreds of people aboard the ship didn't sit well with some.
.@GovRonDeSantis is an evil, evil man. Bet he claims to be a "Christian" like oh so many political scumbags. A "Chr… https://t.co/udhQH4CFJr— Kurt Eichenwald (@Kurt Eichenwald) 1585773180.0
Literally choosing who lives and who dies based on who issued their driver’s licenses. https://t.co/P3zX8K3IfW— Malaclypse (@Malaclypse) 1585774086.0
What a jackass. Vote him out of office. https://t.co/zGoXoocOqe— Christy DeMont (@Christy DeMont) 1585773320.0
Those most fervently insisting on American exceptionalism are, themselves entirely unable to evince even a quarter… https://t.co/7qDRuLQ7BP— ABL (@ABL) 1585773539.0
Translation: he doesn't care about the sanctity of life, only the life of potential voters. https://t.co/aAhyyWoY4V— Carter 🏄 Hall (@Carter 🏄 Hall) 1585773341.0
Some considered DeSantis's actions indicative of his party's values.
A very republican attitude https://t.co/DQHT2MLmw8— IronmanBruce (@IronmanBruce) 1585781251.0
Ok the latest chapter in the "What Would Jesus Do" Republican party. Governor DeSantis says Florida will only take… https://t.co/8gXutG33JD— NoSacredCow (@NoSacredCow) 1585775757.0
Spoken like a True Republican. https://t.co/YXZEItxsK8— William Osler’s Ghost (@William Osler’s Ghost) 1585772971.0
There are over 1200 people aboard the ship.