Fact-Checking 4 Claims About COVID-19 in Florida Spike

The Daily Signal ^ | August 6, 2021 | Doug Badger

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

It’s summer, and that means a fresh wave of stories about COVID-19 in Florida.

Last year, the press fixated on the state’s rising case and hospitalization rates, blaming them on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decisions to eschew government mask mandates and allow businesses to reopen, children to attend school, and residents to recreate without excessive restraints.

DeSantis was often unfavorably compared with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whose iron-fisted restrictions were considered the epitome of enlightened governance.

Enthusiasm for Cuomo has waned, but heaping scorn on DeSantis is still in vogue. Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson has dubbed DeSantis “public enemy number one,” first in line among “cynical and irresponsible Republican politicians [who] have created an environment that is killing Americans.”

So what’s really going on in Florida? Is DeSantis a cynical and irresponsible killer? Here are the facts.

1. Florida Is Experiencing a Spike in Cases: True.

Florida is experiencing a surge in new confirmed cases. The seven-day rolling average of new infections topped 18,000 on Aug. 5, more than the state logged in January.

Florida accounts for roughly 6% of the U.S. population but 18% of the seven-day moving average of daily new cases nationwide.

Those are concerning figures, but they should be understood in context. Most states are experiencing increases in cases, although Florida is unique in exceeding previous highs.

Florida’s increase resembles the U.K.’s, which only recently has begun to subside. The country’s mask mandates and other restrictions didn’t prevent a spike in cases, any more than such restrictions prevented recent or ongoing surges in Spain, Israel, France, Ireland, and the Netherlands

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Ron DeSantis is Joe Biden's boogeyman.

Coronavirus PING!

[ocrp1982]

They heap scorn on Desantis for EXACTLY the same reasons they heaped scorn on Sweden. Sweden as a country said, to hell with Panic Porn. We will conduct business as usual and treat this virus as we do all other viruses.
The Gov’t Control Freaks are angry because Florida and Sweden could demonstrate their Control Freak Panic Porn is complete and total BS. Totally Political. Not Science.

[Robert DeLong]

The administration lies yet again, not at all surprised.

[oldplayer]

Rational article using data, facts and reason. This will make it unintelligible to democrats.

[zeebee]

Florida’s increase in COVID-19 cases is troubling and not easily explained.

I'll give two easily explainable reasons:

• People don't go outdoors in the summer in Florida. It is too hot. They spend most of the time in minimally ventilated air conditioned places.

• Illegal immigrants bring it in.

[Socon-Econ]

Typically, the article does not breakdown the reported cases as to seriousness of symptoms, if any, or who is getting seriously ill. Their seriousness is left to the imagination of readers, who are continually bombarded with stories about the worst cases.

[shanover]

Cases means nothing

[ifinnegan]

Add increase in tests done.

[copaliscrossing]

If it were me stategerizing for the Dumbocrats and were seeding the country with infected illegals,the #1 target would be the State Ron Desantis runs. That gives the presstitutes everything they need to disparage their Public Enemy #1

[Joe Brower]

Florida Freeper

I'm compiling a list of FReepers interested in Florida-related topics.
If you want to be added, please FReepMail me.

[sport]

Anytime you hear or read the words, “Fact Check”, get ready to have smoke blew up your ass by whoever is saying it or writing it, Joe. It is another term for bull shit.

[SoFloFreeper]

excellent Florida piece...and news the media hacks in West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville and Miami will ignore.