A Democratic candidate for governor in Florida is receiving backlash after tweeting a message celebrating the end of the federal mask mandate for public transportation.
On Tuesday, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried tweeted a picture of herself maskless on a plane.
“Peace out to the TSA mask mandate, but also peace and respect to others, whether wearing a mask or not,” Fried wrote.
Peace out to the TSA mask mandate, but also peace and respect to others, whether wearing a mask or not. pic.twitter.com/rqT9xPRsq6
— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) April 20, 2022
However, some Twitter users were not too pleased with the message she was sending.
Kendall Brown, a healthcare advocate, responded, “Hey Nikki, quick question: How is this you showing ‘peace and love’ to the disabled and immunocompromised Floridians you’re asking to vote for you?”
“You know, the people who can no longer even CONSIDER traveling by air (even when necessary) because of the mask mandate repeal?” she added.
Hey Nikki, quick question: How is this you showing "peace and love" to the disabled and immunocompromised Floridians you're asking to vote for you? You know, the people who can no longer even CONSIDER traveling by air (even when necessary) because of the mask mandate repeal?
— Kendall Brown (@kendallybrown) April 20, 2022
Meanwhile, LGBTQ activist Charlotte Clymer wrote, “Commissioner Fried, countless physicians have expressed alarm in the past 24 hours over why a basic public health measure was nuked by one of the rare federal judges to be deemed “unqualified” by the ABA and this is your response.”
“It’s disappointing. I will not be donating again,” she added.
Commissioner Fried, countless physicians have expressed alarm in the past 24 hours over why a basic public health measure was nuked by one of the rare federal judges to be deemed "unqualified" by the ABA and this is your response. It's disappointing. I will not be donating again.
— Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) April 20, 2022
Check out some of the other responses below:
So disappointing, Nikki. You should be a better example to others and protect the vulnerable people on that plane. I was all set to support, donate and campaign for you, but this a bad look and it gives me a huge amount of pause 🙁
— Stefanie Iris Weiss 🔥⚡️ (@EcoSexuality) April 20, 2022
This is a potentially devastating blow to children < 5 years old unable to be vaccinated. Public health is a Democratic priority and should not be taken lightly. Perhaps those disagreeing with Ms. Fried’s stance should take a look at the only parent in the primary,@Annette_Taddeo https://t.co/bdQwfSGAfu
— Brendan Ramirez for Florida (@BrendanforFLA) April 20, 2022
https://twitter.com/DianaGHealth/status/1516609607405297664
I'm also going to ask for a refund of my donation to your campaign. Peace out. ✌🏽
— Alexandra Halaby🇵🇸 (@iskandrah) April 20, 2022
Fried later responded to the comments, writing, “I’ll read all your takes, but the mandates are dropped, vaccines are working, things are getting back to normal, and it’s okay for a Democrat to say it — because we made it possible.”
I’ll read all your takes, but the mandates are dropped, vaccines are working, things are getting back to normal, and it’s okay for a Democrat to say it — because we made it possible.
I love y’all. ?
— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) April 20, 2022
“I love y’all,” she added with a heart emoji.