Donald Trump (image via Flickr/WhiteHouse – public domain)While Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to paint an upbeat picture of the coronavirus health threat in his state, Donald Trump broke with DeSantis saying the Sunshine state is in a “big tough position” when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic during his first briefing on the pandemic in three months on Tuesday.
From Forbes:
Trump identified Florida, which is now his home state and where he plans to accept the Republican nomination next month, as a state that is in a “big tough position” when it comes to coronavirus.
Despite essentially all evidence suggesting otherwise, DeSantis has continually downplayed the severity of the coronavirus outbreak in the state during press briefings.
There are now 53 ICUs in Florida that are reporting 0% capacity, according to the state, which set a record for new hospitalizations Tuesday with 517.
Deaths have also spiked in the state, which reached a new daily high of 156 last Thursday.
Florida is clearly the U.S. coronavirus epicenter and has been for weeks, averaging over 10,000 new cases a day through much of July, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, including a national record high of 15,300 new cases on July 12.
According to Florida Public Radio, Florida reported its largest number of deaths in a single day (173) from the coronavirus today.
Trump’s remark might have something to do with his polling in the vital swing state tanking as the latest Quinnipiac University poll shows him trailing former Vice President Joe Biden among registered voters by 13 points – 51 percent to 38 percent.
That same poll showed 79% of Floridians support mandating the wearing of face masks when in public which DeSantis has refused to do.
We continue to monitor hospital bed availability & Florida is in good shape – statewide nearly 24% of hospital beds and just under 20% of ICU beds are available.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) July 21, 2020
Florida presidential poll (via Quinnipiac)
July 2020
Biden 51%
Trump 38%July 2016
Clinton 39%
Trump 42%This is not a parallel path to 2016. Even if it’s half of the real margin, @realDonaldTrump is going to get humiliated electorally and kill the @GOP down ballot.
— Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) July 23, 2020
Quinnipiac poll:
Trump coronavirus response: Florida
Approve 37%
Disapprove 59%Trump on reopening schools: Florida
Approve 36%
Disapprove 59%— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 23, 2020
2016 exit polls had Trump +17 among Florida voters over 65 years old. New Quinnipiac poll has Biden +3 for 2020.
— Ryan Struyk (@ryanstruyk) July 23, 2020