CNN's Jim Acosta said scientists should name COVID-19 variants after Republican governors who've refused to enforce safety measures

CNN's Jim Acosta said scientists should name new COVID variants after Republican governors.

Republic governors like Ron DeSantis from Florida continue to flout COVID-19 safety measures like mask-wearing.

"Why not call it the DeSantis variant instead of the Delta variant?" he said.

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CNN anchor Jim Acosta blasted Republican governors who don't enforce COVID-19 safety regulations, suggesting scientists name variants after them.

Acosta specifically called out Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during a CNN segment.

"As the nation battles the Delta variant, states remain divided between those fighting the virus and those fighting the science. States led by politicians who know better. Case in point: Florida," he said.

"People should not have to die so some politicians can own the libs," Acosta continued. "They're not owning anybody. They may end up owning the pandemic because they're prolonging it. Perhaps it may be time to start naming these new variants after them. Why not call it the DeSantis variant instead of the Delta variant?"

DeSantis has barred public schools in Florida from enforcing mask mandates. He's also pledged to reverse guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that restricts cruises as the Delta variant surges. More recently, he defended unvaccinated people and met with anti-maskers.

Last month, he rolled out T-shirts and koozies reading "Don't Fauci My Florida" as infections continued to soar.

Acosta slammed DeSantis for selling this merch, accusing him of downplaying the pandemic and not doing enough to get vaccination rates up in his state.

"We can sell beer koozies that say 'Don't Florida my Fauci' and use the money to pay for all the funerals in the days to come," Acosta said.

Florida is facing dire circumstances as the Delta variant continues to spread statewide. About one out of every five new COVID-19 cases in the United States can now be linked to Florida.

Acosta also named lawmakers who've gone against vaccine mandates. A new video surfaced of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, for example, praising Alabama for having one of the worst vaccination rates in the country.

And Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri has criticized President Joe Biden for pushing vaccines against the coronavirus.

"It does not help to have the federal government and the president of the United States, 'If you don't get the vaccine, you're stupid,'" he said.