DeSantis out? Florida gov slammed by Angry Internet after state sets one-day record with 15,299 new Covid-19 cases
An angry Internet is calling upon Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to hand in his resignation after he downplayed the pandemic. On July 12, Florida reported more than 15,000 new cases, smashing the daily recorded reported by any state since the pandemic broke out. The Florida Department of Health received 135,992 results from people who had never been tested before, out of which 15,299 cases were positive for Covid-19. According to John Hopkins University's Covid-19 tracker, the test positivity rate in the state is currently at 19.60 percent. Florida has broken several records of single-day spikes in new positive cases in the past few weeks and even reported 10,360 new infections on July 11.
In response to the raging number of infections in the state, DeSantis' administration continues to disseminate positive messages despite being criticized, as Florida takes up the number one spot among the biggest virus hotbeds in the world. “Florida COVID positive cases decline for a third day in a row to 11.25% despite a record 142,981 tests results returned in a single day,” said Helen Aguire Ferré, DeSantis’ communications director in a tweet. The figure she disclosed also includes those who have been tested more than once. “Average age of those testing positive also decreased: 38 years old.” DeSantis' repeated approach to downplay the recent drastic increase in infections is using the median age to justify it. His administration has also concurred that younger people usually tend to show fewer symptoms and seldom require to be hospitalized, implying less strain on the health's infrastructure. But public health experts have noted that the spread of the disease among younger demographics increases chances of the at-risk demographics, like seniors and those with underlying health conditions, of getting sick. It is also crucial to take into consideration that there are negative impacts on younger people who get sick, even if they are not hospitalized.
In addition, the adverse effect that the virus is having on hospices has been left unacknowledged, especially the medical centers in South Florida, which is currently experiencing an exorbitant surge in new cases. Some 40 or so hospitals across the state are not fully medically equipped, state data showed on July 11. The Intensive Care Units have no beds available and more than 7,000 patients have been hospitalized state-wide with Covid-19. The DeSantis administration finally released the current hospitalization numbers related to coronavirus cases on July 10, after relenting to increased pressure from media publications like the Miami Herald. It had refused to disclose this information for months, however, the reports now show that 6,974 patients had been hospitalized with the infection as their primary diagnosis. The number leaped to 7,507 on July 12. Ferré also came under fire on July 10 for using 93 new deaths in a tweet in a show of generating optimism about the daily numbers. While the death count was down for a record 120 that was reported the previous day, but her tweet was still deemed callous by many for using 100 deceased Floridians in a means to spread positivity.
The increased daily spikes in cases also comes as the debated issue of reopening schools in Florida has become the newest political taking point. Richard Corcoran, the Education Commissioner appointed by DeSantis, and former Republican speaker of the Florida House, issued an order last week demanding that districts should open their classrooms for in-person classes five days a week, starting next month. However, he must approve of the district's reopening plan before they can access their share of state funding. The call for reopening schools has also been heavily promoted by President Donald Trump, with the administration's efforts to thwart the decline in Trump's poll numbers, fourth months ahead of Election Day. “But the key is, there has to be a posture of doing something, of action, of getting things going, putting a plan together for your specific school, for your specific district or for your classroom that ensures that kids are going to start learning against this fall," said Betsy DeVos to Fox News on Sunday, July 12.
Since the new reports of the spike in Florida's coronavirus became public, Twitter users have been slamming the state's government and demanding that DeSantis resign for failing Florida. "DeSantis has been a terrible Governor. He caused this huge spike by ignoring the science and following the disaster in our White House. He needs to step down. He's misled Floridians. His decisions have been deadly. #DeSantisResign", a user wrote in a tweet. "How can he possibly run Florida with his lips stuck to Trumps a**? #DeSantisResign," said another. "Hey @RonDeSantisFL We love your new nickname! You are literally killing off your constituents with your stupidity! Let’s get this trending #RonDEATHSantis #DeSantisKilledFloridians4Trump #DeSantisResign", said one user referring to a poster that highlighted the words 'Ron Death Santis, killing Florida with his stupidity'.
"Hot doggin’ in the face of a pandemic is never a good idea," a user tweeted, slamming DeSantis' attempts at downplaying the virus. "All Floridians should be calling for #DeSatan to resign — and be barred from ever holding public office again. #DeSantisResign," another wrote. "#DeSantisResign #DeSantisFailedFlorida Ronnie and his chubby fingers have bloodon them," one user added, while filmmaker and producer, Andy Ostroy quipped, "Hey @GovRonDeSantis...this was you on May 20 prematurely braggin’ like a pompous a**. You’re an incompetent fool, like your hero #Trump, who can’t control #Covid19. You screwed up so badly you should immediately resign... #coronavirus #DeSantis". One twitter user said, "If you have a Republican Governor you are more likely to die from #Covid_19 This is a fact and I don't need statistics to prove it." Another commented: "Ever seen a killer in a $5000 suit? There he is. Ron DeSantis "Governor" of the temporary survivors of the raging COVID pandemic in Florida. #DeSantisFailedFlorida #Covid_19"
"Congratulations to Florida for surpassing *all of Europe* in new daily #Covid_19 cases by 136%!", a user commented. In addition to this, Orlando's Disney resort has reopened despite the increase in cases, a move that has also become the subject of backlash. "Disney World reopens in hopes that inevitable parental deaths will inspire future films #Disney #Covid_19", a user tweeted, and another added, "Imagine watching #Covid_19 cases soaring into the stratosphere in Florida and thinking to yourself..."Boy, this seems like a great time to bring the family to Disney World."