REPORT: Florida COVID Researchers Were Pressured To Destroy Data And Warned Not To Criticize DeSantis

The Hill reports:

Researchers at the University of Florida allegedly felt pressured to delete COVID-19 data while working on a study for an undisclosed state entity, according to a report released on Monday by the Faculty Senate committee.

The report stated that staff felt “external pressure to destroy” data, and “barriers to accessing and analyzing” data in a timely manner. Other challenges reported to the committee included “palpable reticence and even fear on the part of faculty to speak up on these issues.”

In addition, faculty “often engaged in self-censorship and chose not to ‘rock the boat’ for fear of retaliation,” according to the report. University of Florida employees were reportedly told “not to criticize the Governor of Florida  or UF policies related to COVID-19 in media interactions.”

Read the full article. The full report is here.

University of Florida researchers pressured to destroy COVID-19 data, told not to criticize DeSantis: report https://t.co/WyKL6T7PU1 pic.twitter.com/ghRrP6bEIM

— The Hill (@thehill) December 8, 2021