DeSantis, Florida culture skewered on ‘Daily Show’ after coronavirus vaccines go to wealthy enclaves

“The Daily Show” has produced a withering satire, using outsiders’ view of Florida culture, to go after Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to place a coronavirus vaccination site in one of the state’s wealthy enclaves.

The move generated headlines last week.

On Monday night, “The Daily Show” released its video take: “Ron DeSantis’ Club Vax.”

As images of a South Beach party scene are shown, the narrator announces, “Hey Florida, looking for the red-carpet treatment for your COVID vaccine? Then come on down to Ron DeSantis’ Club Vax. Make the donations rain and cut to the front of the line to get vaccinated. Club Vax offers first rate vial service straight to your table. ... Skip the website. Skip the phone calls. Skip the poor people in line.”

For anyone who doesn’t like the idea of the privileged skipping the line, the video shows a clip of DeSantis defending the decision to open a restricted COVID-19 vaccination site at Lakewood Ranch in Manatee County near the state’s Gulf Coast. “I wouldn’t be complaining I’d be thankful that we’re able to do it,” DeSantis said. (It didn’t deal with one of the controversial aspects of DeSantis’ announcement last week, that if people in Manatee County don’t like the prioritization, he’d be happy to move the vaccines in question elsewhere.)

The video concludes with: “Ron DeSantis’ Club Vax. Putting the play in pay to play.”