Today is Thursday, June 4, and the Miami Herald has reported an increase of 1,341 new COVID-19 cases in Florida on Wednesday. That is the largest spike in reported cases in a single day since April 17.
The World Health Organization (WHO) will continue a study into the drug hydroxychloroquine to test its efficacy in treating COVID-19, Reuters reported on Wednesday. WHO had stopped the study over concern that it was increasing death rates and irregular heartbeats. Soumya Swaminathan, WHO’s chief scientist, believes patients need definitive answers about whether the drug could work.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Wednesday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is granting $252 million to the state of Florida through its Public Assistance Grant Program as reimbursement for COVID-19 expenses. The total amount approved was $335,869,104 and the federal share was $251,901,828- 75 percent of the total sum.
I’m pleased to announce that the state of Florida will receive nearly $252 million from @FEMA to reimburse costs associated with the #COVID19 response.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) June 3, 2020
According to a statement released on Tuesday by Miami-Dade County, commissioners approved $25 million for RISE, a fund that stands for “Re-investing In our Small Business Economy” and draws on funds given to local governments through the federal CARES act. The loans will come from community development financial institutions (CDFIs), which specialize in “assisting small, women-owned and minority-owned businesses”. The resolution is available here.
Proud to have worked with @CommishEileen to bring the RISE Miami-Dade Fund to life. The @MiamiDadeBCC unanimously approved $25M to assist small businesses in #OurCounty through a revolving loan program. We’re #MiamiDadeStrong when we help small businesses. https://t.co/FN3j50mk7W pic.twitter.com/2b9y00wfjh
— Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez (@MayorGimenez) June 3, 2020
Miami-Dade Commissioner Estaban Bovo’s resolution imploring Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and the Office of Insurance Regulation to halt salary increases for executives and employees of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation was approved on Tuesday. Commissioner Bovo said he believes it would be inappropriate for a government entity to “fulfill themselves” in midst of historic unemployment.
On the Caplin News: Angela Rivas writes about the worries that daycare teachers are experiencing during the pandemic.
Tweet of the day:
I like how ads have gone from “buy a toyota” to “this is a difficult and uncertain time for us all…buy a toyota”
— first generation content creator (@InternetHippo) April 14, 2020