Today is Wednesday, April 21 and as New York records less than 500 deaths since April 2, Georgia and a few other states prepare to reopen businesses as soon as Friday.
Florida cases have topped 27,000 cases, Miami-Dade county has officially reached over 10,000 and Palm Beach has once again taken second place in the state’s death toll.
Miami-Dade County Public School officials released a statement on Tuesday announcing that high school seniors will have virtual graduation ceremonies along with senior recognition.The department also plans to follow the original ceremony schedule from May 26 to June 3. Additionally, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho left the option open for physical ceremonies when restrictions lift.
Class of 2020, this one is for you! @MDCPS #Classof2020 #Graduation2020 pic.twitter.com/7J8E88SmEP
— Alberto M. Carvalho (@MiamiSup) April 20, 2020
School officials also announced on Tuesday that grab and go meals will now be available on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m.
Attention Parents! Please read important information about meal distribution procedures. As a reminder, starting this week, multiple meals will be distributed on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4-7 p.m. at the locations listed here: https://t.co/xGc7z9Y33T. #MDCPSWellness pic.twitter.com/K0vScMX6aL
— Miami-Dade Schools (@MDCPS) April 21, 2020
Hialeah officials announced on Tuesday that Mayor Carlos Hernandez, in partnership with Feeding South Florida, will conduct drive-thru food distribution on Thursday, April 23. The event will take place at Goodlet Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents must follow CDC guidelines and remain in their cars.
Hernandez also helped distribute over 3,500 face masks to local assisted living facilities on Tuesday, Local 10 said. Hernandez told reporters that the intent is for them to remain in place, but in case they do need to go out, they will be able to protect themselves.
During a commission meeting on Tuesday, Broward Mayor Dale Holeness said that county political leaders have agreed to phase in any re-opening efforts in tandem with all four counties in the southeast region so as to not encourage a multitude of people in one area at the same time.
“Thank you to all of the people who have followed the rules and helped flatten the curve in #Broward. Hopefully the decline will continue. The sooner we reduce the contagion, the sooner we can get back to creating economic prosperity for all,” says Mayor @HolnessD9 pic.twitter.com/wdrZDdzsRg
— Broward County Commission (@browardinfo) April 21, 2020
Additionally, Broward Commissioner Beam Furr said that if mail-in ballots will be encouraged then residents should be made aware of the delays and educate them on how to properly fill out a ballot. Commissioner Tim Ryan added that the state will have 12 high speed counters which will work double the time to count ballots before election day.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Tuesday the members of the Reopen Task Force working group for tourism, construction, real estate, recreation, retail and transportation. The announcement follows Monday’s news of the members for the executive committee.
The Florida Department of Education stated on Tuesday that educators have saved more than $8 million from the certification exam fee waiver. More than 31,000 have registered to take the FTCE using the fee waiver. This represents more than 62,000 actual exam registrations. 
Multimedia story of the day: Jin Wu and Allison McCan ofthe New York Times provide details on tracking global deaths due to COVID-19. According to the report, there are 25,000 uncounted deaths.
Tweet of the day:
Please refer to quarantine protestors as the “Flu Klux Klan” from now on
— Travis Allen (@TravisAllen02) April 21, 2020
Mickaella Mori wrote the article. Monica Lebro produced the video.
