Today is Tuesday, March 24 and the global toll of COVID 19 cases has passed 381,000. In the United States,16 states have issued stay-at-home orders, and New York holds the highest infection rate.
According to the Florida Department of Health, the number of Florida cases increased by 220 within 24 hours to 1227. The state has reported five more deaths, three in Palm Beach County.
WSVN Channel 7 reported that a Hollywood Police Department employee was diagnosed with COVID 19. Department officials were informed of the results early Monday morning and instructed those who came in contact with the individual to self-quarantine.
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital also reported on Monday that an employee had tested positive for the virus over the weekend. According to spokesperson Gabriela Rodriguez, they will not disclose any other information pertaining to the employee to preserve their privacy. “We are following the recommended CDC and public health protocols to inform those who may have been in contact with this employee,” Rodriguez said.
Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales signed a “safer at home” order on Monday afternoon that will take effect at 12:01 a.m. The order dictated that all Miami Beach residents must remain indoors with the exception of essential, personal support, and outdoor recreational activities that require a six-foot distance between participants.
Miami Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez ordered the Water and Sewer Department not to shut off residents’ water service for unpaid bills. Residents who have lost service will be regaining it.
After Miami-Dade County closed programs at many senior centers, meals were provided to the elderly at homes across the county on Monday. The county will keep working with food-service companies to continue the service.
Broward County Mayor Dale Holness announced Monday afternoon that all regional, neighborhood and specialty parks will close at 11:59 PM until further notice. Holness added that bus fare collections for Broward transit riders will be temporarily suspended, including all TOPS paratransit.
During a Monday afternoon Livestream, Gov. Ron DeSantis said that he does not think it is advisable to lockdown Florida. He emphasized that the virus isn’t impacting every corner of the state as 20 counties have reported no cases.
DeSantis also issued an order Monday mandating all travelers arriving from New York City and surrounding areas self-quarantine for two weeks.
On The Caplin News: After Donald Trump referred to the coronavirus as a “Chinese virus,” verbal acoronavind physical attacks on Asians rose across the nation, reports Alexandra Yun. Even some institutions have sponsored policies that Asian and civil rights organizations have condemned.
 
Tweet of the day:
please can we just use simple language everyone understands like
practice social distancing –> stay away from other people
shelter-in-place –> stay indoors
rent freeze –> the houses we live in are ours now for free— madeleine holden (@madeleinecholia) March 24, 2020
Multimedia story of the day: A survey conducted by The Pew Research Center finds that the COVID 19 gave 7% of workers in the United States flexibility in working from home. Those who have access are mostly workers in high-paying positions.
