Florida Surgeon General Ladapo says he can't 'communicate effectively' in his refusal to wear mask in Polsky's office

Nearly a week later, after coming under increasing criticism from Democrats, lawmakers and others, Florida's top health official posted a statement on his Twitter feed that he was saddened by a state senator's cancer diagnosis but felt wearing a mask during a meeting with her wouldn't have been productive.

"Having a conversation with someone while wearing a mask is not something I find productive, especially when other options exist," he wrote. "It is important for me to communicate effectively with people. I can't do that when half of my face is covered."

According to Democratic state Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and two aides arrived at her Tallahassee office Wednesday, Oct. 20. Ladapo had requested a meeting to discuss his confirmation in the Senate after being named to the post by Gov. Ron DeSantis last month. 

Polsky told The Associated Press that Ladapo and two aides were offered masks and asked to wear them when they came in. She did not tell him she had breast cancer — which she has since made public — but did say she had a serious condition. Ladapo refused, she said, and offered to sit outside instead. 

Ladapo said he offered to find some other solution that would respect both of their preferences, even sitting outside her office in the hallway, but she declined.

Fact checking the Florida surgeon general:COVID, vaccine comments at odds with CDC

Weaponized surgeon general?:Ladapo comes out swinging on social media, at DeSantis' side

'Fear is done':Florida's new surgeon general outspoken critic of COVID lockdowns, mandates

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says cancer patients are at a higher risk to get severely ill from COVID-19 and may not build the same immunity to vaccines.

“It was so shocking to me that he treated me in this manner,” Polsky said. “If he is a surgeon general for the next several years, I am really concerned about a future public health emergency and not being able to rely on him for necessary guidance and proper scientific leadership.”

How much does Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo make? Compare other state workers here

Reactions to Dr. Ladapo's response

As may be expected, opinions from politicians and social media commentary are all over the place.

Dr. Jennifer Gunther, OB/GYN, echoed several other physicians on Twitter when she said, "We surgeons manage to have conversations while wearing a surgical mask. As do anesthesiologists and OR nurses and scrub techs and the ECMO teams etc. Should we give up masks in the OR?"

And some others agreed.

Expert advice:After senator's clash with Ladapo, expert says take extra precautions around cancer patients

Senator Lauren Book, Minority Democratic Leader of the Florida Senate, stood with Polsky.

"The Surgeon General's actions call into serious question his ability to advise our state on public health policy (as well as his ability to simply be a decent, compassionate human being)," she tweeted.

However, some Ladapo defenders were quick to point out that Polsky has posted photos of herself around other people without a mask in her office and in meetings.

Sen. Polsky replied with a tweet of her own.

C. A. Bridges is a Digital Producer for the USA TODAY Network, working with several newsrooms across Florida. Local journalists work hard to keep you informed about the things you care about, and you can support them by subscribing to your local news organization. Read more articles by Chris here and follow him on Twitter at @cabridges