Here’s what to know in South Florida on June 22
We’re keeping track of the latest news regarding the coronavirus in South Florida and around the state. Check back for updates throughout the day.
Miami-Dade’s largest cities to require masks in public as COVID-19 numbers spike
7 p.m.: The mayors of seven Miami-Dade cities on Monday announced new rules requiring people to wear face masks anywhere in public, a response to rising numbers of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations — a measure they conceded will be tough to enforce.
The cities of Miami, Hialeah, Miami Gardens, North Miami Beach, Miami Shores, Aventura, and Key Biscayne will require people to wear masks at all times in public. The sudden announcement left some specific details unexplained, including whether people would be required to wear masks while exercising. In the city of Miami, a new emergency order outlining the rules is expected to be signed in the coming days.
Mayors of another eight cities, while not adopting the same mask rule, joined in a press conference in front of Miami City Hall and said their cities would have tougher enforcement.
Read the full story here.
‘They deserve to be put on blast’: Social media is policing COVID-19 rule breakers
5:30 p.m.: Ani Meinhold and her partner waited more than two weeks to reopen their MiMo District restaurant to make sure they could faithfully follow the new rules to stop the spread of coronavirus.
So she couldn’t believe it when she saw videos posted on social media over the weekend of other restaurants, bars and clubs flouting agen ppob terlengkap the rules — partygoers shoulder-to-shoulder, drinking and dancing, all without masks or distance between them.
One video, shared on Twitter and Instagram, included Miami mayor Francis Suarez posing with patrons without a mask. Miami police shut down the restaurant the next day.
“I was livid,” Meinhold said. “The fact that people were behaving irresponsibly, they deserve to be put on blast.”
Social media has stepped in to police rule breakers where governments may lag behind — public floggings that have not gone unnoticed. A new Instagram account, @covid_305, sprouted over the weekend, posting videos of restaurants, bars and hotels that appear to be ignoring the rules. Among the events shown was a party at the SLS Hotel, with a full pool ringed with partygoers dancing shoulder to shoulder.
Read the full story here.
Florida’s surgeon general quietly advises everyone to wear masks in public spaces
4:15 p.m.:Quietly and without fanfare, Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees on Saturday issued a public health advisory recommending people wear face masks in public.
“All individuals in Florida should wear face coverings in any setting where social distancing is not possible,’’ Rivkees wrote in a document date-stamped Monday by the Department of Health.
The advisory also recommends “all individuals should refrain from participation in social or recreational gatherings of more than 50 people” and for those in crowd sizes smaller than that, the direction is simple: “practice social distancing by maintaining a distance of at least six feet from each other and wear a face covering.”
Read the full story here.
Florida company caught not paying worker for time worked or time on COVID-19 quarantine
2 p.m. A Sanford maker of fishing lures got caught not paying an employee money due under a pair of federal acts, the U.S. Department of Labor announced.
Labor’s Wage and Hour investigators found Producto Lure didn’t pay an employee two weeks of emergency sick leave after a doctor ordered the employee to self-quarantine for the coronavirus.
Florida hits 100,000 mark as state confirms another 2,926 daily coronavirus cases
1:30 p.m. : Florida’s Department of Health on Monday reported 2,926 new infections of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 100,217 confirmed cases. There were also 12 new deaths announced, raising the statewide toll to 3,173.
None of the new deaths were in South Florida’s four counties, according to Florida’s COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard.
COVID-19 Cases in Florida
Miami-Dade County schools hope to reopen in the fall. What changes would make you feel safe to return?
9:30 a.m.: Masks. Desks at least six feet apart. Eating lunch inside a classroom instead of in the cafeteria with your friends. More online learning?
It might be summer vacation but students, teachers and parents are already thinking about what life will be like once fall arrives, hopefully post-COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, turned life upside down in South Florida. Schools went virtual. Graduations and ring ceremonies became drive-bys. And now families will have to adjust to a “new normal” once the 2020-2021 school year begins.
Parents, students and teachers: What would it take to make you feel safe to resume in-class lessons? What concerns do you have about starting school and staying healthy? Is online learning still the best option for you?
Let us know by filling out the form here.
Christopher Columbus High School seniors graduate at Homestead Speedway
9:25 a.m.: Christopher Columbus High School’s graduating class finally crossed the finish line this weekend after finishing the school year online because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
They never dreamed it would be the checkered finish line of the Homestead-Miami Speedway.
On a hot and humid Saturday morning, 390 graduates of the Class of 2020 arrived early at the speedway for a graduation ceremony unlike any other:
Each student got the chance to drive around the track to get their diploma through their car window before revving off for another victory lap.
FREE FOOD GIVEAWAYS IN MIAMI-DADE
9:20 a.m.: There are more than a dozen drive-thru food giveaways happening in Miami-Dade County Monday to help those in need during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Everyone is required to wear a mask or face covering (a fabric that covers your mouth and nose) and must stay in their car at all times. Make sure you have room in your trunk, that’s where the volunteers will be putting your meals to promote social-distancing.
Most sites are open until the early afternoon but there are a few that will remain open until 6 p.m. or 9 p.m., if supplies last.
Here are some of the places you can visit Monday:
▪ Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd St. — 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
▪ Tabernacle Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 8017 NE Second Ave. in Miami — 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
▪ Bunche Park Pool, 15727 NW 22nd Ave. in Miami Gardens — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
▪ New Life Medical Institute, 861 SW Eighth St. in Miami — noon to 4 p.m.
To see the full list, visit https://www.miamidade.gov/information/library/2020-06-21-food-distribution.pdf
CATCH UP TO START THE DAY
9:15 a.m.: Here are the coronavirus headlines to catch you up on what’s happening around South Florida and the state as Monday begins.
Florida adds 3,494 COVID-19 cases as current hospitalizations keep rising in Miami-Dade
Using hand sanitizer during COVID-19 pandemic? FDA warns these 9 might be toxic
Miami-Dade closes 3 restaurants for coronavirus violations. Miami’s mayor seen at one
Florida’s better off in COVID-19 fight than it was in April, Gov. DeSantis says