TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement on the City of Gainesville’s reversal of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate on city employees, including firefighters and first responders. In September, CFO Patronis joined Governor DeSantis in Newberry, Florida to push back on vaccine mandates.
 
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “I may be vaccinated, but that doesn't mean I believe in mandates. News today that the City of Gainesville reversed their bad decision to force vaccines on their employees, including their first responders, was the right call. I was proud to stand with Governor DeSantis in Newberry to support the rights of all Floridians and protect their jobs, especially when it comes to the people who put their lives on the line every day to protect us. While vaccines work - mandates do not. Forced government mandates only erode the right for Floridians to make their own health decisions for themselves and their family. Thank you to Governor Ron DeSantis for his unwavering commitment to keeping Florida free of mandates while protecting public health with access to vaccines and therapeutics. His leadership has helped save lives and jobs.”