Our Governor Ron DeSantis is continuing to travel that state and has remained laser-focused on keeping Florida’s Seniors First by leading the way on prioritizing those 65 and older for the vaccine (issued January 11, 2021).   In fact, on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, the CDC reversed course following Florida’s lead of immunizing seniors who are 65 years of age and older.  Gov. DeSantis’ strategy went above and beyond recommended guidelines issued by the federal government. Once again, our state is leading by example and our Governor and his administration are taking all the steps necessary to ensure the safety of Floridians.

As the state heads into its fifth week of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, Florida has vaccinated nearly 350,000 seniors – more than any other state in the nation that’s reporting updates on this critical effort.

In case you missed it, we are including a press release that was issued last night by Governor Ron DeSantis’ office.  You can read it below. You can also watch a video that his office released earlier yesterday by clicking here.

CDC to Reverse Course and Follow Florida’s Lead Prioritizing “Seniors First” for Vaccinations

Per reports, the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) will announce new vaccine deployment recommendations that mirror Florida’s unique strategy. Florida’s fifth week of vaccine distribution is currently underway, and the state has continued to prioritize vaccine access to seniors age 65 and older – a strategy that initially went above and beyond recommended guidelines issued by the federal government.

Florida has vaccinated nearly 350,000 seniors – more than any other state in the nation that’s reporting updates on this critical effort.

Our state is home to more than 4.5 million seniors, and both nationwide and in Florida, seniors 65 and older have more severe risks, accounting for more than 80% of all COVID related deaths. The Governor has made it clear this population is his top priority.

Innovative pilot programs, such as the ones we’ve launched with Publix as well as with our places of worship, will ensure the vaccine is as accessible as possible and incentivize swift deployment by our partners on the ground. The state has also worked across sectors to develop innovative and unique sites to increase vaccine access statewide. Such locations include:

• Places of Worship
• State-Run Testing Sites
• Partnership with Publix
• Supplementing LTC Facility Federal Efforts
• Senior Living Communities

As vaccine distribution expands to wider populations, Florida will continue this stride and develop multi-faceted resources to ensure Floridians have access to the COVID-19 vaccine. For more information on vaccines and access, please visit the Florida Department of Health.

Russell Tuff, President Collier County Republican Men’s Club

Hello, I’m Russell Tuff and was appointed as your President of the Men’s Republican Club of Collier County.

First, I would like to shower Jim Carter (former president) with a great debt of gratitude for bringing the club from a small group gathering to a strong, robust organization during his tenure. When you look around the room and feel that sense of comradery with like minded people, it was Carters efforts that made that possible.

Next, we had two other dedicated board members that worked tirelessly and diligently to assist Carter that past years and their work and effort should be acknowledged. They were instrumental in putting plans and actions into place. These two men include, John Thomas and Chad Gillenwater. They did more than you will ever know and were quiet in not getting the just recognition for a job well done.

We welcome new board and officer members Mark Batchelor, Glenn Brown, and Reg Buxton. They join Randy Cash, John Dugan, Pete Koenig, Michael Nadolski, Jerry Sanford.

The new board and officers can be seen here.

What can you expect over the next two years from your new men’s club president?

Jim Carter agreed to assist in continuing to arrange program speakers, so you can expect the same high level of speakers as in the past.

We’ve created a new position of Vice-President of Business Development, which will be chaired by Reg Buxton. We hope to capture more inclusion from the Naples businesses and residents and engage them in our efforts to carry out the belief’s we hold dear. See those beliefs here.

In addition, we will be expanding our Outreach effort through local media, electronic media, and PR methods to improve our standing in the community and demonstrate the benefits of carrying out the Republican beliefs mentioned before.

We will continue our scholarship efforts to encourage our youth to strive for the ideals we have been raised to believe; Respect for Life, Respect for the Constitution, Limited Government, and Personal Responsibility.

Membership will be aggressively pursued to assist in growing and strengthening the Republican Image in Naples/Collier County. We need everyone’s help to spread the word

We will develop closer relationships and sharing of information with the other Republican organizations in the community, as working together we will all be stronger.

I look forward to serving as your president and assisting our great board and officers in the future. I’m honored and humbled that you put me in this position, and I will need your help to achieve any of the goals listed.

Here’s to a great 2021!

Russell Tuff

President

Collier County Republican Men’s Club