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.