New COVID-19 Cases in Florida Surpass 15,000

As Infection Spreads, Education Authorities Emphasize School Opening for Fall Semester

Visitors are wearing masks at Walt Disney World in Florida, which opened on the 11th.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] In Florida, USA, 15,299 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in one day. This is the largest number of daily new confirmed cases in the United States.

On the 12th (local time), the AP News Agency, citing Florida state authorities, reported that 15,299 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Florida. This surpasses the previous highest daily infection count of 11,694 recorded on the 4th in Florida. According to Johns Hopkins University, the COVID-19 positivity rate in Florida is 19.6%. Most of the infected are known to be young people.

The cumulative number of infections in Florida reached 269,811, and 45 deaths were reported on that day.

CNN criticized Governor Ron DeSantis for hesitating to mandate masks despite the surge in infections in Florida. Although President Donald Trump wore a mask publicly for the first time, Republican supporters still tend to avoid wearing masks compared to Democratic supporters. Amid the spread of infections, Disney World, an amusement park located in Florida, reopened on the 11th.

Betsy DeVos, U.S. Secretary of Education, appeared on broadcasts again that day, emphasizing plans to normalize school classes for the fall semester, which fueled controversy.

Secretary DeVos pointed out that students have fallen behind because they could not attend normal classes in the spring semester, and some children are experiencing mental and social problems due to staying at home.

Regarding this, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared on CNN and criticized Secretary DeVos's remarks on school normalization, saying, "The president and the administration are harming children's health. It's chilling," and called it "a bad act and neglect of duty."