Florida reached its sixth straight day of 10,000-plus new coronavirus cases Monday as the state’s largest teachers union sued the Gov. Ron DeSantis…
Florida reached its sixth straight day of 10,000-plus new coronavirus cases Monday as the state’s largest teachers union sued the Gov. Ron DeSantis administration over plans to reopen schools for in-person instruction next month.
The state added 10,347 new COVID-19 cases overnight, bringing Florida’s total cases to 360,394. Another 90 deaths occurred, with 5,072 Florida people now lost to the disease in the state.
While the number of coronavirus tests fell to 78,993, the lowest level in almost a week, the rate of positivity rose to 14.7%, its highest mark since July 13. DeSantis had been pointing to the lower levels as a sign that community spread was easing in some parts of Florida.
In its lawsuit filed in Miami state circuit court, the Florida Education Association said the school reopening order violates the Florida Constitution, which requires that a “uniform, efficient, safe, secure and high quality system” of public schools exist.
FEA President Fedrick Ingram cited Monday’s case numbers and deaths as the “backdrop,” for the union’s action.
“No one wants to be back in a classroom and reopen our school buildings more than educators,” Ingram said. “We are teachers… that’s what we live for… but we want to do it safely and we don’t want to put people at risk.”
Joining the FEA in the lawsuit are several teachers, along with the NAACP state chapter and its national organization. Defendants are DeSantis, Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez.
