On December 3, 2020, the SunSentinal reported that the Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees had convened a task force of scientists to advise the state on the COVID-19 pandemic. The task force held its first meeting in March. Following the meeting, members were told the task force would be disbanded. Dr. Rivkees reportedly said: "This is the only [meeting] we're going to have. We don't want anything getting out in public."
Dr. Rivkees did not address the public on the COVID-19 pandemic for several weeks following the task force meeting. One member of task force told reporters that it appeared Dr. Rivkees was "being muzzled" by Governor Ron DeSantis. Governor DeSantis reportedly sidelined Dr. Rivkees and instead sought advice from Dr. Scott Atlas, a radiologist with no background in infectious disease and no affiliation with Florida's health department, but who had previously served as President Trump's coronavirus advisor. The SunSentinal reported:
"DeSantis' decision to bring Atlas to Florida dismayed outside experts and at least one top state official. "Dr. Atlas is a wonderful radiologist," said a senior DeSantis administration official who wanted to remain anonymous. "If I need some film read, I'll go to him.""