NEWS

COVID-19 Crisis: Is Florida on path to disaster?

Winter Haven News Chief
The reopening schedule by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis trailed Texas and Arizona by about two weeks. As those states are seeing major spikes in COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations, health experts fear the coming weeks could be telling in the Sunshine State.
The reopening schedule by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis trailed Texas and Arizona by about two weeks. As those states are seeing major spikes in COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations, health experts fear the coming weeks could be telling in the Sunshine State.
JOHN BLACKIE/PENSACOLA NEWS JOURNAL
With cases and deaths climbing, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott mandated face coverings for most of the state this week — something he'd opposed earlier. That rule went into effect Friday.
With cases and deaths climbing, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott mandated face coverings for most of the state this week — something he'd opposed earlier. That rule went into effect Friday.
TONY GUTIERREZ/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A sign is posted at a closed entrance to the beach during the coronavirus pandemic on Friday in the South Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach. The epicenter of the state ’ s exploding COVID-19 cases, beaches throughout South Florida are closed for the busy Fourth of July weekend to avoid further spread of the novel coronavirus.
A sign is posted at a closed entrance to the beach during the coronavirus pandemic on Friday in the South Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach. The epicenter of the state’s exploding COVID-19 cases, beaches throughout South Florida are closed for the busy Fourth of July weekend to avoid further spread of the novel coronavirus.
LYNNE SLADKY/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis listens to Vice President Mike Pence during a meeting at USF Health's Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation on Thursday in Tampa. The meeting between Pence and DeSantis came on the day Florida registered a record 10,109 new COVID-19 cases.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis listens to Vice President Mike Pence during a meeting at USF Health's Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation on Thursday in Tampa. The meeting between Pence and DeSantis came on the day Florida registered a record 10,109 new COVID-19 cases.
IVY CEBALLO/TAMPA BAY TIMES
Jeff and Raynette Ho wear face masks as they sit with their dog at Custer Park in Richardson, Texas, on Friday. Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texans to wear face masks in public beginning Friday at noon as cases of the coronavirus surged statewide.
Jeff and Raynette Ho wear face masks as they sit with their dog at Custer Park in Richardson, Texas, on Friday. Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texans to wear face masks in public beginning Friday at noon as cases of the coronavirus surged statewide.
SMILEY N. POOL/DALLAS MORNING NEWS
Medical personnel prepare to test hundreds of people lined up in vehicles in Phoenix's western neighborhood of Maryvale for free COVID-19 tests on Tuesday. Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, has eclipsed New York City as the nation ’ s current worst epicenter of the virus with more than 57,000 cases.
Medical personnel prepare to test hundreds of people lined up in vehicles in Phoenix's western neighborhood of Maryvale for free COVID-19 tests on Tuesday. Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, has eclipsed New York City as the nation’s current worst epicenter of the virus with more than 57,000 cases.
MATT YORK/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Similar to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Arizona's Gov. Doug Ducey, pictured, downplayed the risks and took a non-aggressive approach, his critics say. Months later, the state is among the world's worst coronavirus hotspots.
Similar to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Arizona's Gov. Doug Ducey, pictured, downplayed the risks and took a non-aggressive approach, his critics say. Months later, the state is among the world's worst coronavirus hotspots.
ROSS D. FRANKLIN