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July 21, 2020

Coronavirus Spikes Across U.S. as Tensions Mount over Plans to Reopen Schools
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Florida has reported more than 10,000 new coronavirus cases for the
sixth day in a row. On Monday, Florida's largest teachers' union sued
Republican Governor Ron De Santis to block his order requiring all
schools to reopen next month despite the growing pandemic, which has
killed nearly 5,200 Floridians.

Meanwhile, Missouri Republican Governor Mike Parson is insisting
students go to school despite the risk of the virus. In an interview,
Parson said, "They're going to get over it," and "We can't just let this
thing stop us in our tracks."

This all comes as Republican lawmakers in Washington are pushing to
include a provision in a new coronavirus relief package tying school
funding to the reopening of classrooms. Many public health officials
fear the reopening of schools could lead to a new surge in COVID-19
deaths and hospitalizations.

In Mississippi, Republican Governor Tate Reeves has ordered residents to
wear masks in 10 additional counties as the number of new COVID-19 cases
hit a new high on Monday.

Overall in the United States, the virus has killed nearly 141,000 people
and infected 3.8 million - both by far the highest numbers in the world.
In fact, the United States has more than a quarter of the deaths and
infections in the entire world, yet only a little more than 4% of the
population. As cases continue to spike, President Trump has announced he
plans to lead a televised coronavirus briefing today for the first time
since April. He also tweeted an image of himself wearing a mask for the
first time, saying it is patriotic to wear one.