Florida breaks record with more than 21,000 new COVID cases
 

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Florida reported 21,683 new cases of COVID-19, the state’s highest one-day total since the start of the pandemic, according to federal health data released Saturday, as its theme park resorts again started asking visitors to wear masks indoors.

The state has become the new national epicenter for the virus, accounting for around a fifth of all new cases in the U.S. as the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus continues to spread.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has blamed the surge on a seasonal increase — more Floridians are indoors because of the hot weather with air conditioning circulating the virus. About 60% of Floridians 12 and older are vaccinated, ranking it about midway among the states.

Well, I think the Governor is wrong. I think the scientists are right. I think we are at the beginning of a major surge of a new variant that is much more contagious than the variant we went through for the past 18 months. To me, that makes much more sense.

But, whatever, hopefully, the significant surge will motivate some that maybe they should get vaccinated and stop with all the excuses.

Would be interested to know how many of these new cases came from folks who have been vaccinated.

It is very overwhelming to read these figures and to see the hospitals filling up with people. I hope that everyone who isn't vaccinated will reconsider. I hope those who are sick recover and are immune then.

I think that Governor Desantis has been as fair as a person can be in his position. He needs to consider all things. It appears that the most endangered are in fact the most vaccinated in this state; the elderly are highly vaccinated at about 70% or better and they are the most at risk. Have not read any figures on recent deaths from Covid or the new Delta Variant. It does seem likely that a state that is deluged with guests and whose main industry is tourism is going to get a lot of germs that are not wanted.

I have decided to stop going to the rec center for a few days at least to try to figure out whether it is safe. I know someone who became sick with Covid after two group members at a rec center became sick and had test.

I am hoping that what we will see that the vaccinated are not getting TOO sick.

It is hard to hear and see the truth with so many clamoring voices.

Yes, agreed. What I have read seems to indicate that the vaccine is less effective against the DELTA variant, but how much less is still too early to know, because of the lack of data.

I don't disagree about the Governor. I don't always agree with his decisions, and I wish he would separate his political, economic, and medical recommendations more clearly.

And I wish he would put in place a science-based randomized testing program that scientists could use to do statistical analysis. Instead of heavily weighted testing that makes it harder to understand what the numbers bean.

More Floridians indoors in summer is the cause of 21,000 cases (a record)?????? Does that meet the definition of rationalization?

Woo hoo!
We’re number one!
We’re number one!

Exactly! Fear is a prime motivator and in this case, will force more people to do the right thing and also help others in so doing.

The governor has mandated that schools are not ALLOWED to require staff or students to wear masks. Elementary schools are primarily children under the age of 12 - which means they *cannot* be vaccinated.

So not only are you sticking a bunch of unvaccinated kids into a closed air-controlled environment, you're also telling them that they don't have to wear masks.

Kids already have plenty to make fun of each other about - some kids can be incredibly cruel, on a good day. Now you're pitting the masked and the unmasked against each other?

This is a recipe for disaster.

Are we supposed to BLAME the vaccinated for the problems caused by the UNvaccinated? I can't see that logic.

Most vaccinated are having only MILD symptoms IF they get CV. Most do NOT. Several Doctors on TV have stated today that hospitalizations and DEATHS are INCREASING nationwide and in Florida. And more YOUNGER people are getting Delta.

Firstly, at the start of the pandemic testing wasn't as organized or reliable as it is now. If you recall, it was spotty in many cities and states and results were slow with a lot of false positives. Secondly, Florida gets tons of tourists every day even in the summer. It could be driven by those visiting from out of state or from other countries. Thirdly, the re-opening of businesses, especially large ones, even if you have to wear a mask like at Disney World, effectiveness isn't 100% especially in crowds, people don't wear them correctly, they take them on and off to eat, etc.

Agreed about the potential for bullying and fights over who is masked up. The children will likely reflect the attitudes of their parents. So, in Florida, the maskless will probably be in greater numbers. The teachers will be faced with 3 nightmare situations........1) Keeping the children from fighting........2) Some will worry that even if they are vaccinated, the Delta variant might make a jump from unvaccinated to vaccinated in the near future - since much is still changing and unknown about CV........3) Many teachers will worry about if the school Administration is on their side.

I wonder if any school system in Florida has spent any MONEY on plexiglass desk shields or on school air depressurizing systems? I have not heard anything about this. However, I would guess that Floridians would NOT want their property taxes to go up just to help the next generation succeed.

Sadly it is even worse than that, I have heard many say how they didn't think they should have to pay taxes to run schools because they don't have any kids. yeah, right.

California, for all that's wrong with it, still has low property taxes, and large senior communities like Del Webb Sun City, are often exempt from paying for new school bonds. Local lawmakers just cut them out of the equation rather than arguing with them over tax increases and worrying they'll stop a bond measure from being passed at the ballot box.

They aren't wrong. Just because you can breed doesn't mean you should, even the most base creature can do it and it shows.

Are the Rec Centers requiring masks again ?

Why not a license
 

Yeah we have a licensing requirements for everything except parenting. Do you have to get a license to get married but not having a child?

I use that line whenever someone says they shouldn't have to pay taxes for [insert whatever they don't approve of because it doesn't fit their agenda].

I don't have kids, why should I have to pay taxes for schools?

(the correct answer to that challenge question is: because some day one of those kids will become YOUR president. You have a choice NOW in ensuring that that kid gets the best education your tax dollars can buy.)

I completely agree with you, but whether you personally have kids or not doesn't matter. Education is a minor expense that pays back big time. It is in everyone's best interest to educate all the children.

Sadly, our school system is broken like so many things that used to work.

That is one possibility but studies show education directly relates to odds of becoming a crimminal, lifetime earning potential which relates to payback in taxes, and so much more.

Agree completely with you on education. Even if someone doesn’t have children someone else’s child might grow up to be a scientist who develops a drug that helps everyone live a healthier life. Also agree education system is broken and the US is way behind the world.

Understood.
It becomes a deep deep well about how broken it is and what to do.
I'd be fine with it if they were accountable for the money they already have. Until that time people will always fight it.

My opinion here, they are using the "fear factor" to a degree. Let's just keep the southern border open and let everyone in who could spread the virus, then put them on airplanes and bus them to different cities and states. No one can tell me that is not playing into this equation.

Yes that's "fear factor" being spread by propagandists with an anti-immigrant agenda. They want you to be terrified that immigrants will make you die, and take your jobs, and rape your women.

It's so much easier for them, than it is for them to admit that Americans, in general, have failed to protect our own and are spreading the virus just fine by ourselves without the help of the current batches of border-hoppers.

Not yet. No signs requiring or requesting masks

Oh yes.
The new variant is almost as contagious as...... wait for it...... THE COMMON COLD.
About as contagious as .......wait for it...... MASS HYSTERIA

The only thing I agree with you is that more need to get vaccinated.

There are approximately 10-11 Million Florida residents who have NOT been vaccinated. You can say tourists or staying indoors excaberates the problem, but the fact is, if these millions of residents got vaccinated, we wouldn't be "number one".

Yes it would

Talk about a propogandists. More people should learn the FACTS before speaking. PS It's anti ILLEGAL immigration.

Masks
 

Cloth masks are ineffective in preventing the transfer of virus just decoration. And filthy.

What would really be interesting to know is how many of these cases were very mild, and how many were very serious.

I wonder how many illegals the govern sent to Florida? We will never know, but....

Yeah like don’t blame it on the delta variant that infects vaccinated people or the fact that now the vaccinated people can spread it or best of all the high number of people who won’t get vaccinated.

Villages Hospital Full?
 

We live near The Villages Regional Hospital. We can see and certainly hear the sirens and sound of EMS ambulances and helicopters. There have been almost no such sounds for several days. We can only assume that TVRH is not accepting any new ER patients. Yesterday’s news reported a 64% increase in COVID hospital admissions in Sumter County, over 150% in Jacksonville.

The Florida Hospital Association is projecting that there will be twice as many cases of COVID by Labor Day as the highest number experienced in the U.S. at the peak rate last January. A difference is that the new variant is attacking much younger people with far worse, even fatal results. 96% of current new patients are unvaccinated.

While the total of cases are extremely large we need to remember that Florida is the most inbound state for visitors and tourists from all the other states. These factors contribute to the total amounts being recorded so it is not just a Florida issue it is a nationwide issue that has made Florida look like the worst state.

Good post

Totally agree.

Less than 400 kids have died from COVID, and most of them had serious health issues. Meanwhile, thousands have killed themselves. Depression from isolation is more deadly than the virus.

21683 deaths?
 

What is the death rate. Several months ago the recovery rate was at 98.5% over all age groups. Stop scaring people. For the age groups 20and under it is well over 99%. If you are treated you can increase the numbers by almost 65%.