Florida doctor will not see unvaccinated patients in person

A Miami doctor says she is no longer accepted in-person visits from patients who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19.

According to NBC Miami, Dr. Linda Marraccini explained that her letter does not violate the Hippocratic Oath because she's still giving the option for telemedicine or helping with referrals to other doctors.

"I understand that people are free to choose, but to me, it's a problem when it affects other people," Dr. Marraccini said. "When it comes to the safety of others when it comes to the fact that it's a global health problem and community health problem, at this point, I really say that this is where it draws the line in the sand for me."

"There's been millions of deaths globally so that's not something to ignore. People are getting to where everybody knows somebody that died from COVID," continued Dr. Marraccini. "This is a problem that really everyone needs to help out with and it's affecting our collective communal health."

NBC Miami also spoke with Attorney Juan Carlos Planas, who discussed the legalities of a private medical practice denying patient care. "I don't believe you can treat a medical clinic the same way you can a business. But I also think that she lays something very clear that will probably impede the state's ability to fine any business," Planas said.

"She lays out in a medical way how exactly she wants to protect her staff and she specifically states that no medical professional has found many people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. She even says that the antibody treatment is not a substitute for vaccination."

Planas' analysis concerns Governor Ron DeSantis banning vaccine passports, which may lead to $5,000 fines being issues to businesses, schools and government agencies that ask for proof that an individual is vaccinated.