Dismal numbers
Number crunchers at the Florida Department of Health keep cranking out dismal news: The state set a record for coronavirus cases Friday, then we broke that record Saturday. And it was almost as bad Sunday.
Also, on today’s Sunrise:
— Over the past three days, the state reported more than 27,000 new cases of COVID-19. For context, consider this: Almost 20% of all the cases reported in Florida over the past three months took place over the last three days. But Gov. Ron DeSantis says it’s not because Florida reopened too soon.
— The state reported 258 new deaths in the past week … bringing the total number of Florida fatalities to 3,518.
— Time is running out for the Governor to sign the new state budget and the coronavirus is making his job a lot tougher. State tax collections dropped by almost $800 million in May alone.
— Things are getting nasty in the GOP primary for Senate District 27. The Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee has begun campaigning against a fellow Republican because they think she’s been playing footsie with the Democrats.
— Florida Chamber of Commerce President Mark Wilson says business leaders need to embrace the calls for change coming from the Black Lives Matter movement. Wilson believes this the perfect chance to make a difference in Florida’s poorest communities.
— What better time to have a baby than the middle of a campaign for Congress amid a public health crisis. Congratulations to Rep. Dane Eagle and his wife Brooke on the birth of their son Ronin.
—Checking-in with a Florida Man accused of trying to steal an airplane for a cross-country visit to his girlfriend.