JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WFLA) — Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke about COVID-19 and masks during a news conference Thursday at a Jacksonville restaurant.

“In the state of Florida, we have ensured that this is a free state and we have worked very hard to do that,” DeSantis said.

The governor talked about how the state didn’t force COVID-19 vaccine mandates or keep schools closed during the pandemic.

“I can tell you here in Florida, we did not and we will not allow the dystopian visions of paranoid hypochondriacs to control our health policies let alone our state,” the governor said.

DeSantis said Florida is the only state that has pursued an investigation into the adverse effects of COVID-19 shots.

“We cannot let this happen to our country again. It’s not just me saying that, it’s not just me promising that. We have guaranteed the protections for each and every Floridian,” he said.