Scott Rivkees

Public health initiatives have long been divisive, but the pandemic turned up the volume to painful levels in Florida, Texas and other states amid a surge of growing mistrust of scientific institutions.

Fewer than five states have a surgeon general. Florida has had one since 2007, but critics say the job serving as the top advocate for wellness and disease prevention has changed because of state politics.

Dr. Scott Rivkees, who led Florida’s initial response to the coronavirus pandemic as head of the state health department, has accepted a job at Brown University.

State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith is suing to get the state to release daily COVID data and wants the former surgeon general to testify.

Dr. Joseph Ladapo comes to Florida from UCLA and is a Harvard Medical School graduate. He says vaccines are not the only way to promote "good health" and the decision to get one is up to each person.

The deposition was sought by attorneys for school boards and parties challenging a Department of Health rule that requires parents to be able to “opt out” their children from any school mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration halted the COVID-19 daily reports in June and shifted to posting weekly information that is far less detailed.

Scott Rivkees is leaving next month amid a surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths.

A U.S. district judge granted the preliminary injunction in a lawsuit challenging the state’s “vaccine passport” ban, which was signed into law in May by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Norwegian says its legal action is a "last resort." Meantime, Carnival will start requiring unvaccinated people older than 12 in Florida to buy travel insurance and emergency medical evacuation coverage.

Gov. Ron DeSantis let an executive order declaring a public health emergency expire Saturday, and with it many regulatory flexibilities providers received during the pandemic including those related to telehealth.

Only Florida residents and health-care workers will be allowed to receive coronavirus vaccines.