On Tuesday, 2,024 new COVID-19 cases were reported statewide. Our weekly trend for daily cases fell once again. Florida is now averaging 1,970 daily cases over the past week. Florida now has the lowest population-adjusted COVID-19 rate in the country. Cases have now declined by greater than 90% since the August peak and while Florida led the country in population-adjusted cases for two weeks in August, we’ve now passed Hawaii, which has significant travel restrictions in place, for the lowest rate in the country.
In Broward, the School District has dropped the mask mandate for high school students while leaving one in place for elementary and middle school students. Mask mandates without parental opt-outs violate state law.
Florida’s Surgeon General is speaking out amidst backlash regarding his refusal to wear a mask when meeting with state Senator Tina Polsky recently. On Tuesday, Dr. Joseph Ladapo stated he can’t communicate well with a mask on. Saying, "Having a conversation with someone while wearing a mask is not something I find productive, especially when other options exist. It is important for me to communicate effectively with people. I can't do that when half of my face is covered." Ladapo offered to meet outside with Polsky which she refused.
The state of Florida will no longer conduct business with Ben & Jerry’s or any of its parent, Unilever’s, companies. In July, Ben & Jerry’s announced they would remove all products from what is referred to as occupied Palestinian territory in Israel. Under the law, the state can’t conduct business with or invest in companies that are part of the BDS movement. Unilever had 90 days to change its position – which did not occur. The deadline was Tuesday. In addition to not conducting business with Unilever, the state will liquidate $139 million in Unilever stock.