Matt Gaetz (Photo: Gage Skidmore, via CC BY-SA 2.0)
You’ve probably heard that the state of Florida continues to crush its daily Covid infection rate. It is a public health crisis which one could imagine that it fully concerns its legislators and other officials.
Therefore, when Matt Gaetz posted a video appearing to be enjoying a bit of fishing this weekend (it’s unclear if he was traveling or sharing someone else’s video), it drew criticism online.
Florida is the nation’s covid infection center and your fishing videos are showing. Glad to know where your priorities are.
– Davey Miller (@David_Miller_) August 8, 2021
But Gaetz didn’t care, claiming yesterday that it was just what he was doing as “Florida Man.”
“I can see you are not a #FloridaMan,” Gaetz told a reviewer. “In the Sunshine State, it’s always appropriate to fish.
“When happy.
“When sad.
” Thinking.
“When free.”
Related: Matt Gaetz Just Posted 1 Hour Video Denying Teen Sex Claims And Talking About Online Dating
Gaetz’s suggestion that a fishing trip was “always appropriate” (perhaps like Donald Trump and his golf course) was not well received online.
Who among us hasn’t done our best to fish as a pandemic sweeps through every county in our state and our constituents’ children use respirators?
Good job, Florida. Https://t.co/bRDLP3WiSG
– PoliticOhMyGawd (@PoliticOhMyGawd) August 9, 2021
awww bless he thinks #floridaman should be worn as a badge of honor.
– Weighted things (@ponderousthings) August 9, 2021
Hello, Walton County, Florida.
Here is some information on Covid-19 in your area.
Your congressman is too busy fishing to provide it to you.https: //t.co/U9ZBxbvcBb
– Vaxxed and whiteboard ready MASKS work! (@rebelledeb) August 9, 2021
Considering your upcoming jail term, the free part makes sense.
– cindy (@ cindy38675838) August 9, 2021
Is this the new code word for dating underage girls?
“Fish”?
– CB is the Great Baby Jesus. (@ ConservBlue2020) August 9, 2021
And if you’re under 18, you don’t need a fishing license 😉
– Turkey Tetrazzini (@TomTetrazzini) August 9, 2021
Do real work instead of trying to be a deep thinker.
– Platypus Tongue (@TonguePlatypus) August 9, 2021
Others have also pointed out that in addition to battling Covid, Florida is also fighting a so-called ‘red tide’ of toxic water, prompting thousands of fish to wash up dead along the shores. It is believed that the discharged sewage caused an explosion in the growth of algae.
“Still appropriate,” Matt?
Unless it’s the red tide and the fish killed by commercial fertilizer runoff are breaking records.
– Lara – Florida Hostage (@DPWIMM) August 9, 2021
Except in the middle of a red tide.
– SSton (@SharinStone) August 9, 2021
Related: Gaetz and Greene Indignant at Not Being able to Enter Prison Unannounced for Tour
Florida reported 23,903 Covid cases on Friday, breaking its single-day total for the third time in a week. Some commentators say lawmakers, such as Sen. Ron DeSantis and Rep. Matt Gaetz, are not helping matters.
On Monday, DeSantis’ office said it would consider withholding salaries from school officials who insist that all students wear masks. Gaetz has also spoken out against mask warrants and took part in an anti-mask protest in the Senate last month.
