PUNTA GORDA, Fla.–Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo’s confirmation was voted through the Florida Senate Ethics and Elections Committee Feb. 8, and will move to the full Senate vote on Feb. 15. The committee voted 5-4 along party lines in favor of his confirmation, despite opposition from Democrats, who said Ladapo has “failed to promote COVID-19 vaccines, masks and other measures” to reduce the spread of the virus. It was the second hearing for Ladapo, who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) Sept. 21, 2020, to replace Dr. Scott Rivkees, whose appointment had ended. Democrats on the committee made their concerns known during the Feb. 8 hearing, questioning Ladapo on whether he had been vaccinated and boosted. Ladapo declined to affirm or deny his vaccination status, saying: “It is my private medical information.” “Our approach at the Department of Health has been to provide education and access,” Ladapo said. …