‘That decision cost lives’: Covid data case further deflates Ron DeSantis’s campaign

Settlement over withheld virus data that critics say cost thousands of lives comes at pivotal time for Republican governor and his teetering campaign

A courtroom settlement over withheld Covid-19 data that critics say cost thousands of lives has deflated Ron DeSantis's campaign trail persona as a courageous freedom warrior who kept his state open during a deadly peak of the pandemic.

It comes at a pivotal time for the Florida governor, whose teetering run for the Republican presidential nomination is mired in financial difficulties and collapsing poll numbers in early primary states.