dailysignal--2020-07-01--4 Points to Understand the COVID-19 Surge in Texas

Texas has seen a significant surge in coronavirus cases in the past two weeks , joining other Sun Belt states .
Here are four things to know about the increase in positive tests for COVID-19 in the Lone Star State .
Texas has almost 168,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Wednesday , according to the Real Clear Politics coronavirus tracker .
In raw numbers , Texas ranks fourth in the nation behind New York , California , and New Jersey for the most confirmed cases .
However , in cases per million of population , it ranks 31st .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had 6,900 new cases , and more than 6,500 were in the hospital .
“ In Texas , it has largely spread because we didn ’ t have a high case rate in the initial round , ” Chuck DeVore of the Texas Public Policy Foundation , an Austin-based think tank , told The Daily Signal .
“ It ’ s a sharp increase , but a lot of that is from people who were not infected to begin with.
” > > > What ’ s the best way for America to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Coronavirus Recovery Commission , a project of The Heritage Foundation , assembled America ’ s top thinkers to figure that out .
So far , it has made more than 260 recommendations .
Learn more here .
The month of June was not a good time for any state , DeVore said .
“ There was an uptick in cases after Memorial Day and with the protests and looting , ” he said , referring to nationwide demonstrations following the May 25 death of George Floyd , a black man , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate for those being tested for COVID-19 also is surging .
In Texas , the positive rate is 15 % of those tested , according to the Kaiser Family Foundation .
A month ago , it was 4.2 % .
The latest seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases in Texas increased by more than 41 % from the week before , CNBC reported Tuesday .
“ Things do not look good for Texas .
It has had double the cases in the last 14 days , ” Jennifer Tolbert , director of state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told The Daily Signal .
The hot spots for the state are the cities of Dallas , Houston , and San Antonio .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases , told the Senate this week that 50 % of all new COVID-19 cases are in Texas , Arizona , California , and Florida .
One reason for the increase is that residents of Texas and other high-temperature states spend time indoors with recirculated air conditioning in the summer , said Dr. Kevin Pham , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Signal .
Although the caseload in Texas is moving in the wrong direction , the death toll has been declining for months and peaked at 2.7 % of all cases in late May , according to Texas Health and Human Services .
“ Our death rate continues to plunge , ” DeVore told The Daily Signal .
“ There has been a steep decline .
We have seen the death rate decline every day.
” The number of coronavirus-related deaths in Texas is just under 2,500 as of Wednesday , according to Real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers , that ’ s the 15th-highest death toll in the nation .
But Texas is the second-largest state and , ranking states by population , its 86.1 deaths per million represent the 11th-lowest death rate .
Devore predicts that Texas will reach its peak in deaths in the next week or two before declining .
Texas had 31 COVID-19 deaths over the past seven days .
That ’ s fewer than the other states in the Sun Belt surge , which saw 65 deaths in California in the past seven days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arizona .
Texas is well behind the seven-day coronavirus death toll of 114 for New York state .
Arizona and Florida lead the country in “ new deaths , ” according to the Real Clear Politics tracker .
Virginia , Alabama , and Maryland round out the top five .
The death rate in Texas could change for the worse , but not dramatically , Pham said .
“ I don ’ t think we will see a spike in deaths .
We probably won ’ t see a decrease , and there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pham told The Daily Signal .
“ Most of the new cases are young people .
The death rate among young people is low , but it ’ s not zero .
So , with more cases , there will likely be more deaths.
” Last week , members of the White House ’ s coronavirus task force noted that about half of the nation ’ s new COVID-19 cases were under 35 .
3 .
What ’ s Being Done About It ?
Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott last week suspended elective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going up .
The suspension could expand to more counties .
Abbott also closed bars , which prompted a lawsuit from the Texas Bar and Nightclub Association .
“ In light of Greg Abbott ’ s irresponsible and shameful actions this morning that shutter the businesses that provide a livelihood for your families and employees , we support our members in the Constitutional right to protest by keeping your businesses open , ” the nightclub association said in a prepared statement .
Abbott closed the bars Friday .
He also ordered restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having lifted the ban to let restaurants operate fully .
Abbott gave local governments more authority to regulate gatherings of more than 100 .
Pham said Abbott ’ s actions in closing the bars are reasonable since bars are a “ natural place ” for a virus to spread .
But he said he doesn ’ t think states can go all the way back to the lockdowns previously in place .
Texas still doesn ’ t require masks statewide for those who go out in public , Tolbert noted , saying that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the virus .
Isolation and staying home would curb the spread in Texas and other states seeing a surge , but residents might not respond so well to that solution at this point , Tolbert said .
“ While these states do have more information and strategies , it remains to be seen if those strategies are adopted , ” Tolbert said , adding : Hospital chiefs say medical facilities in Texas are ready , even with the rising infection rates .
“ Our hospitals have the ICU capacity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care needs of our community , ” Texas Medical Center CEOs said in a joint statement June 25 .
“ In addition , Texas hospitals continue to reserve 15 percent of capacity for COVID-19 patients and medical care continues to be routinely provided in inpatient and outpatient settings without taxing the overall hospitalization capacity.
” The Texas Medical Center CEOs added : “ While this pandemic is unprecedented , our hospital systems have learned a lot , very quickly , and our coordinated efforts have allowed us to nimbly respond to this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are “ promoting fear porn.
” “ Hospitals are not running out of ICU beds .
ICU beds are costly to maintain , so hospitals typically keep them at 95 % capacity , ” DeVore said .
“ Only 37 % of beds are going to COVID patients .
Since March , hospitals have expanded the ICU capacity by 89 % .
”

Texas has seen a significant surge in coronavirus cases in the past two weeks, joining other Sun Belt states.
Here are four things to know about the increase in positive tests for COVID-19 in the Lone Star State.
1. What’s the Caseload in Texas?
Texas has almost 168,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Wednesday, according to the Real Clear Politics coronavirus tracker.
In raw numbers, Texas ranks fourth in the nation behind New York, California, and New Jersey for the most confirmed cases. However, in cases per million of population, it ranks 31st.
According to reports Tuesday, the state had 6,900 new cases, and more than 6,500 were in the hospital.
“In Texas, it has largely spread because we didn’t have a high case rate in the initial round,” Chuck DeVore of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, an Austin-based think tank, told The Daily Signal. “It’s a sharp increase, but a lot of that is from people who were not infected to begin with.”
>>> What’s the best way for America to reopen and return to business? The National Coronavirus Recovery Commission, a project of The Heritage Foundation, assembled America’s top thinkers to figure that out. So far, it has made more than 260 recommendations. Learn more here.
The month of June was not a good time for any state, DeVore said.
“There was an uptick in cases after Memorial Day and with the protests and looting,” he said, referring to nationwide demonstrations following the May 25 death of George Floyd, a black man, in police custody in Minnesota.
The positive rate for those being tested for COVID-19 also is surging.
In Texas, the positive rate is 15% of those tested, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. A month ago, it was 4.2%.
The latest seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases in Texas increased by more than 41% from the week before, CNBC reported Tuesday.
“Things do not look good for Texas. It has had double the cases in the last 14 days,” Jennifer Tolbert, director of state health reform at Kaiser Family Foundation, told The Daily Signal.
The hot spots for the state are the cities of Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, told the Senate this week that 50% of all new COVID-19 cases are in Texas, Arizona, California, and Florida.
One reason for the increase is that residents of Texas and other high-temperature states spend time indoors with recirculated air conditioning in the summer, said Dr. Kevin Pham, a medical doctor and contributor to The Daily Signal.
2. What’s the Death Rate?
Although the caseload in Texas is moving in the wrong direction, the death toll has been declining for months and peaked at 2.7% of all cases in late May, according to Texas Health and Human Services.
“Our death rate continues to plunge,” DeVore told The Daily Signal. “There has been a steep decline. We have seen the death rate decline every day.”
The number of coronavirus-related deaths in Texas is just under 2,500 as of Wednesday, according to Real Clear Politics’ tracker.
In raw numbers, that’s the 15th-highest death toll in the nation. But Texas is the second-largest state and, ranking states by population, its 86.1 deaths per million represent the 11th-lowest death rate.
Devore predicts that Texas will reach its peak in deaths in the next week or two before declining.
Texas had 31 COVID-19 deaths over the past seven days.
That’s fewer than the other states in the Sun Belt surge, which saw 65 deaths in California in the past seven days, 38 in Florida, and 36 in Arizona.
Texas is well behind the seven-day coronavirus death toll of 114 for New York state.
Arizona and Florida lead the country in “new deaths,” according to the Real Clear Politics tracker. Virginia, Alabama, and Maryland round out the top five.
The death rate in Texas could change for the worse, but not dramatically, Pham said.
“I don’t think we will see a spike in deaths. We probably won’t see a decrease, and there may be a slight increase,” Pham told The Daily Signal. “Most of the new cases are young people. The death rate among young people is low, but it’s not zero. So, with more cases, there will likely be more deaths.”
Last week, members of the White House’s coronavirus task force noted that about half of the nation’s new COVID-19 cases were under 35.
3. What’s Being Done About It?
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott last week suspended elective surgeries in eight counties where COVID-19 hospitalizations are going up. The suspension could expand to more counties.
Abbott also closed bars, which prompted a lawsuit from the Texas Bar and Nightclub Association.
“In light of Greg Abbott’s irresponsible and shameful actions this morning that shutter the businesses that provide a livelihood for your families and employees, we support our members in the Constitutional right to protest by keeping your businesses open,” the nightclub association said in a prepared statement.
Abbott closed the bars Friday. He also ordered restaurants to return to 50% occupancy after having lifted the ban to let restaurants operate fully.
Abbott gave local governments more authority to regulate gatherings of more than 100.
Pham said Abbott’s actions in closing the bars are reasonable since bars are a “natural place” for a virus to spread. But he said he doesn’t think states can go all the way back to the lockdowns previously in place.
Texas still doesn’t require masks statewide for those who go out in public, Tolbert noted, saying that would go a long way in slowing the spread of the virus.
Isolation and staying home would curb the spread in Texas and other states seeing a surge, but residents might not respond so well to that solution at this point, Tolbert said.
“While these states do have more information and strategies, it remains to be seen if those strategies are adopted,” Tolbert said, adding:
The states with the biggest outbreak now were not the hardest hit during the first wave—if you want to call it the first wave. But they were still locked down. Some opened more quickly than others. The states moving in the right direction were hit the hardest.
4. Could Texas Health Care Be Overwhelmed?
Hospital chiefs say medical facilities in Texas are ready, even with the rising infection rates.
“Our hospitals have the ICU capacity, staff, and supplies to meet the health care needs of our community,” Texas Medical Center CEOs said in a joint statement June 25. “In addition, Texas hospitals continue to reserve 15 percent of capacity for COVID-19 patients and medical care continues to be routinely provided in inpatient and outpatient settings without taxing the overall hospitalization capacity.”
The Texas Medical Center CEOs added: “While this pandemic is unprecedented, our hospital systems have learned a lot, very quickly, and our coordinated efforts have allowed us to nimbly respond to this fluid situation.”
DeVore said some politicians are “promoting fear porn.”
“Hospitals are not running out of ICU beds. ICU beds are costly to maintain, so hospitals typically keep them at 95% capacity,” DeVore said. “Only 37% of beds are going to COVID patients. Since March, hospitals have expanded the ICU capacity by 89%.”


dailysignal--2020-07-01--Paused COVID-19 Reopenings Reflect Setbacks, Not a Failure of Protocols

The recent surges in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Texas , Florida , and California have forced their governors to pause their states ’ reopening plans to restrict further spread and to prevent area medical systems from being overwhelmed .
Some are claiming that means reopening plans are not working and represent reckless behavior .
In reality , however , the governors are appropriately pausing to assess the developing situation and react to the new data .
That ’ s a planned fallback and an important aspect of a flexible and robust reopening strategy that balances protecting both lives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the best way for America to reopen and return to business ?
The National Coronavirus Recovery Commission , a project of The Heritage Foundation , assembled America ’ s top thinkers to figure that out .
So far , it has made more than 260 recommendations .
Learn more here .
As expected with reopening , we have begun to see incidences of COVID-19 begin to rise again .
That ’ s no surprise .
From the beginning , we knew reopening could result in rising case numbers and that there may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor might need to target mitigation measures to stop and slow the spread of the disease .
States are in various stages of reopening , with many officials implementing a phased approach .
The purpose of the phased plan was for a more predictable and manageable pattern of cases .
In fact , the incidence of COVID-19 had been fairly stable in the month of May , when Texas began its first phases of slowly reopening and returning to a modicum of normalcy .
However , based on new data , Texas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen the state and closed bars .
Florida and California also closed bars , with Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis citing “ widespread noncompliance ” with rules regarding capacity and social distancing .
In addition , local officials in Tarrant County implemented a face mask ordinance , and officials in Dallas , Bexar , Harris , and several other counties in Texas have ordered businesses to require masks for employees and customers .
Gov .
Greg Abbott has ordered hospitals to suspend elective or nonessential procedures in four counties with the greatest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carefully monitoring hospital and intensive care unit capacity to adjust measures to prevent health systems from being overwhelmed .
Unfortunately , those steps are needed because many individuals seem to have forgotten and disregarded concerns and precautions for the virus .
Those steps are not a failure of the reopenings , but rather an example of policymakers leading an active process of reopening and reacting to real data as it comes in and obviating the need for a lockdown .
In fact , several Texas hospitals in the Houston area are confident of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cases and have released a joint statement : Each hospital system has prepared for months to address the anticipated needs of this pandemic and has surge plans in place to successfully manage its own capacity to continue treating COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients .
Additionally , our hospitals are working together to manage capacity levels and ensure the highest-quality care for all who need it .
We will continue to work closely with state leadership and public health experts to help maintain statewide visibility on acute capacity issues and other critical concerns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s sufficient capacity .
State officials and hospital systems around the country have learned from the failures in New York and are rolling out emergency plans that adjust the flow of COVID-19 patients to ensure available hospital beds and rooms , and personal protective equipment , and to preserve capacity to meet the demand of a COVID-19 surge .
Critically , it ’ s important to take a measured assessment of who is getting sick , and how likely they are to die if they get sick .
Public health measures are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dying of COVID-19 , so those who are elderly or have preexisting conditions such as obesity or diabetes get the care they need .
Flattening the curve was never about ensuring that no one gets sick from COVID-19 , but rather an attempt to prevent increased deaths due to an overwhelmed health care system .
And early data shows us that people getting infected this time are less at risk of death .
For instance , in Florida , the median age of COVID-19 cases went from 65 in March to 36 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80 % of mortality due to COVID-19 has been in the 65-and-older age group .
The surge itself appears to be caused by complacency and disregard for the ongoing threat of the pandemic .
Going forward , Americans need to be absolutely clear : We must all take steps to protect the most vulnerable Americans as we reopen .
Achieving that goal requires social distancing , mask-wearing , limiting social gatherings , and staying at home when possible .
Extra mitigation and containment strategies , such as aggressive testing , contact tracing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and any new interventions must be targeted to communities with high infection rates or particular vulnerabilities to the virus .

The recent surges in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Texas, Florida, and California have forced their governors to pause their states’ reopening plans to restrict further spread and to prevent area medical systems from being overwhelmed.
Some are claiming that means reopening plans are not working and represent reckless behavior. In reality, however, the governors are appropriately pausing to assess the developing situation and react to the new data.
That’s a planned fallback and an important aspect of a flexible and robust reopening strategy that balances protecting both lives and livelihoods.
>>> What’s the best way for America to reopen and return to business? The National Coronavirus Recovery Commission, a project of The Heritage Foundation, assembled America’s top thinkers to figure that out. So far, it has made more than 260 recommendations. Learn more here.
As expected with reopening, we have begun to see incidences of COVID-19 begin to rise again. That’s no surprise. From the beginning, we knew reopening could result in rising case numbers and that there may be hot spots where a governor or mayor might need to target mitigation measures to stop and slow the spread of the disease.
States are in various stages of reopening, with many officials implementing a phased approach. The purpose of the phased plan was for a more predictable and manageable pattern of cases.
In fact, the incidence of COVID-19 had been fairly stable in the month of May, when Texas began its first phases of slowly reopening and returning to a modicum of normalcy.
However, based on new data, Texas, for instance, has frozen its efforts to reopen the state and closed bars.
Florida and California also closed bars, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis citing “widespread noncompliance” with rules regarding capacity and social distancing.
In addition, local officials in Tarrant County implemented a face mask ordinance, and officials in Dallas, Bexar, Harris, and several other counties in Texas have ordered businesses to require masks for employees and customers. Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered hospitals to suspend elective or nonessential procedures in four counties with the greatest surge of cases.
State officials are carefully monitoring hospital and intensive care unit capacity to adjust measures to prevent health systems from being overwhelmed.
Unfortunately, those steps are needed because many individuals seem to have forgotten and disregarded concerns and precautions for the virus.
Those steps are not a failure of the reopenings, but rather an example of policymakers leading an active process of reopening and reacting to real data as it comes in and obviating the need for a lockdown.
In fact, several Texas hospitals in the Houston area are confident of their ability to handle a new increase in cases and have released a joint statement:
Each hospital system has prepared for months to address the anticipated needs of this pandemic and has surge plans in place to successfully manage its own capacity to continue treating COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. Additionally, our hospitals are working together to manage capacity levels and ensure the highest-quality care for all who need it. We will continue to work closely with state leadership and public health experts to help maintain statewide visibility on acute capacity issues and other critical concerns.
According to many Texas hospitals, there’s sufficient capacity. State officials and hospital systems around the country have learned from the failures in New York and are rolling out emergency plans that adjust the flow of COVID-19 patients to ensure available hospital beds and rooms, and personal protective equipment, and to preserve capacity to meet the demand of a COVID-19 surge.
Critically, it’s important to take a measured assessment of who is getting sick, and how likely they are to die if they get sick.
Public health measures are focused on protecting the most vulnerable from dying of COVID-19, so those who are elderly or have preexisting conditions such as obesity or diabetes get the care they need.
Flattening the curve was never about ensuring that no one gets sick from COVID-19, but rather an attempt to prevent increased deaths due to an overwhelmed health care system.
And early data shows us that people getting infected this time are less at risk of death. For instance, in Florida, the median age of COVID-19 cases went from 65 in March to 36 in June. That’s significant because 80% of mortality due to COVID-19 has been in the 65-and-older age group.
The surge itself appears to be caused by complacency and disregard for the ongoing threat of the pandemic.
Going forward, Americans need to be absolutely clear: We must all take steps to protect the most vulnerable Americans as we reopen. Achieving that goal requires social distancing, mask-wearing, limiting social gatherings, and staying at home when possible.
Extra mitigation and containment strategies, such as aggressive testing, contact tracing, and voluntary isolation, must continue, and any new interventions must be targeted to communities with high infection rates or particular vulnerabilities to the virus.


dailysignal--2020-07-02--Sen. Mike Lee: ‘The Mob Hates America on America’s Dime. It’s Time to Cut Off Their Allowance.’

On the floor of the U.S. Senate Thursday , Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah delivered an impassioned speech condemning mob violence in the United States .
Lee offered a resolution , which his Democrat colleague , Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey , attempted to amend by inserting language attacking President Donald Trump .
Menendez then repeatedly tried to silence Lee .
Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas , served as the presiding officer and overruled Menendez .
A lightly edited transcript and video are below .
Sen. Mike Lee : As I look at the language proposed by my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accept the rest of it except for the words , “ especially , the president of the United States.
” The rest of it is unobjectionable .
The point here is that without pointing to any one specific individual , we should all be able to acknowledge as a sense of the Senate that we do hold these truths as self-evident .
That our country was founded on these very strong ideals .
Even if , as the resolution itself acknowledges , we have failed at times to live up to them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ d accept the modification , but only with the removal of the words , “ especially , the president of the United States.
” What ’ s happening here ?
This is the U.S. Senate .
Just so everyone is clear about the insanity that we just witnessed .
I just proposed a nonbinding resolution condemning mob violence and Senate Democrats objected .
I don ’ t know whether to be outraged or embarrassed for them .
This isn ’ t even a bill ; it ’ s just a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad.
” That Democrats can ’ t say “ Mob violence is bad ” without simultaneously taking a jab at the president of the United States ?
By the way , what about the mayor of Seattle ?
What about the City Council of Minneapolis ?
What about a countless other people who have perpetuated , or enabled , or facilitated or coddled mob violence across the country ?
It ’ s one of the reasons why we ’ re not going to engage in this task of making it a political tit-for-tat—it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being shot , businesses are being looted , innocent Americans are being attacked and threatened .
Lives are being ruined , communities are burning , literally burning .
So whose side are you on ?
This resolution was designed to be unifying it and avoided— Sen. Bob Menendez : May I ask the presiding officer to remind us of Rule 19 ?
Sen. Ted Cruz : The chair will remind senators of both parties that Rule 19 provides that no senator in debate shall directly or indirectly by any form of words , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any conduct or motive , unworthy , or unbecoming of a senator .
Lee : The resolution was designed to be unifying .
It avoided controversial subjects .
All it asked of us was basic dignity and respect .
As long as we ’ re on the topic of Rule 19 , it ’ s unbecoming to accuse a colleague of using language that is supremacy simply by reflecting on language and the Declaration of Independence , simply by reflecting on language that acknowledges the incivility and intolerability of mob violence .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask today .
I guess we should be thankful for clarity .
Now we know we don ’ t have to ask .
They told us how they feel about this resolution .
You can ’ t really oppose this , it seems to me without being on the side of the mobs , of mob violence , of mob mentality , of cruelty , and intolerance and terror .
Now we understand what this resolution is about .
I don ’ t think one can oppose this without being comfortable with those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These mobs are not enlightened .
These not mobs are not edgy , they ’ re not hip .
They ’ re fraud .
Menendez : Mr. President , parliamentary inquiry .
Is this line not in direct violation of Rule 19 ?
Cruz : The chair concludes that pointing out that mob violence is dangerous to our nation is not contrary to Rule 19 , or any other rule of this Senate .
Menendez : Further parliamentary inquiry .
There ’ s not a question of mob violence .
The question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not agree with the framework and language of this resolution , that they are supporting mob violence .
That must be in violation of Rule 19 .
If this is going to be a deliberative body .
Cruz : The senator is more than entitled to express his views in the course of debate , but other senators will likewise express their views in the course of debate .
Lee : Failed by an education system , and addled by a social media culture that taught them to be victims instead of citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with participation trophy graduate degrees , trying to find meaning in empty lives by destroying things that other Americans have spent honest , productive lives building .
Today we learned that there are those who were comfortable with this .
There are those who are at least not inclined to vote for this resolution , which simply condemns mob violence .
Now we know , Mr. President .
Now we know .
I want all my colleagues to know that when we returned from recess , we ’ re coming back to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just going to be debating nonbinding resolutions .
It ’ s long past time to expose the shiftless idiocy of the anti-American , anti-science , anti-establishment , anti-Constitution mob , and remove their snouts from the federal trough .
Colleges and universities that punish free speech and discriminate against conservative and religious students .
City councils who defund their police departments and refuse to protect public safety .
States that force doctors to mutilate confused children without their parents ’ consent .
School districts that embrace the ahistorical nonsense of the 1619 Project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the above and much more , the whole garbage fire that is the so-called “ woke ideology ” depends on federal money .
The mob hates America on America ’ s dime .
It ’ s time to cut off their allowance .
I think the American people would be very interested to know who stands for them and who stands for subsidizing the mob .
I intend to show them .
Mr. President , this debate is not ending today .
It ’ s only the beginning .
All I asked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words , “ especially , the president of the United States.
” Why ?
Because that ’ s different than the entire approach taken by the resolution .
As long as we ’ re calling each other out on casting aspersions on each other ’ s intentions , no one ’ s intention here to shield anyone from anything .
As evidenced by the fact that as my proposed modification would have provided , it would have said , “ Our elected officials should not incite violence or legitimize those who engage in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the president of the United States was and is an elected official .
This would apply to him .
My counter in no way insulated , not him , not any elected officials , not any of us from this resolution , which simply condemns mob violence .

On the floor of the U.S. Senate Thursday, Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah delivered an impassioned speech condemning mob violence in the United States. Lee offered a resolution, which his Democrat colleague, Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, attempted to amend by inserting language attacking President Donald Trump. Menendez then repeatedly tried to silence Lee. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, served as the presiding officer and overruled Menendez. A lightly edited transcript and video are below.
Sen. Mike Lee: As I look at the language proposed by my colleague from New Jersey, I could accept the rest of it except for the words, “especially, the president of the United States.” The rest of it is unobjectionable.
The point here is that without pointing to any one specific individual, we should all be able to acknowledge as a sense of the Senate that we do hold these truths as self-evident. That our country was founded on these very strong ideals.
Even if, as the resolution itself acknowledges, we have failed at times to live up to them, we’ve still done it. I’d accept the modification, but only with the removal of the words, “especially, the president of the United States.”
What’s happening here? This is the U.S. Senate. Just so everyone is clear about the insanity that we just witnessed.
I just proposed a nonbinding resolution condemning mob violence and Senate Democrats objected. I don’t know whether to be outraged or embarrassed for them.
This isn’t even a bill; it’s just a statement that says, “Mob violence is bad.” That Democrats can’t say “Mob violence is bad” without simultaneously taking a jab at the president of the United States?
By the way, what about the mayor of Seattle? What about the City Council of Minneapolis? What about a countless other people who have perpetuated, or enabled, or facilitated or coddled mob violence across the country?
It’s one of the reasons why we’re not going to engage in this task of making it a political tit-for-tat—it’s not that.
People are being shot, businesses are being looted, innocent Americans are being attacked and threatened.
Lives are being ruined, communities are burning, literally burning.
So whose side are you on?
This resolution was designed to be unifying it and avoided—
Sen. Bob Menendez: May I ask the presiding officer to remind us of Rule 19?
Sen. Ted Cruz: The chair will remind senators of both parties that Rule 19 provides that no senator in debate shall directly or indirectly by any form of words, impute another senator and other senators, any conduct or motive, unworthy, or unbecoming of a senator.
Lee: The resolution was designed to be unifying. It avoided controversial subjects. All it asked of us was basic dignity and respect.
As long as we’re on the topic of Rule 19, it’s unbecoming to accuse a colleague of using language that is supremacy simply by reflecting on language and the Declaration of Independence, simply by reflecting on language that acknowledges the incivility and intolerability of mob violence.
But apparently that’s too much to ask today. I guess we should be thankful for clarity. Now we know we don’t have to ask.
They told us how they feel about this resolution. You can’t really oppose this, it seems to me without being on the side of the mobs, of mob violence, of mob mentality, of cruelty, and intolerance and terror.
Now we understand what this resolution is about. I don’t think one can oppose this without being comfortable with those things. These mobs are not progressive. These mobs are not enlightened. These not mobs are not edgy, they’re not hip. They’re fraud.
They’re dimwitted, phony drama addicts.
Menendez: Mr. President, parliamentary inquiry. Is this line not in direct violation of Rule 19?
Cruz: The chair concludes that pointing out that mob violence is dangerous to our nation is not contrary to Rule 19, or any other rule of this Senate.
Menendez: Further parliamentary inquiry. There’s not a question of mob violence. The question is that imputing to members who did not agree with the framework and language of this resolution, that they are supporting mob violence. That must be in violation of Rule 19. If this is going to be a deliberative body.
Cruz: The senator is more than entitled to express his views in the course of debate, but other senators will likewise express their views in the course of debate.
Lee: Failed by an education system, and addled by a social media culture that taught them to be victims instead of citizens. A privileged self-absorbed, crime syndicate with participation trophy graduate degrees, trying to find meaning in empty lives by destroying things that other Americans have spent honest, productive lives building.
Today we learned that there are those who were comfortable with this. There are those who are at least not inclined to vote for this resolution, which simply condemns mob violence. Now we know, Mr. President. Now we know.
I want all my colleagues to know that when we returned from recess, we’re coming back to the Senate floor and we’re not just going to be debating nonbinding resolutions.
It’s long past time to expose the shiftless idiocy of the anti-American, anti-science, anti-establishment, anti-Constitution mob, and remove their snouts from the federal trough.
Colleges and universities that punish free speech and discriminate against conservative and religious students.
City councils who defund their police departments and refuse to protect public safety.
States that force doctors to mutilate confused children without their parents’ consent.
School districts that embrace the ahistorical nonsense of the 1619 Project.
The smug sneering privilege of all the above and much more, the whole garbage fire that is the so-called “woke ideology” depends on federal money.
The mob hates America on America’s dime. It’s time to cut off their allowance.
I think the American people would be very interested to know who stands for them and who stands for subsidizing the mob. I intend to show them. Mr. President, this debate is not ending today. It’s only the beginning.
All I asked in my counter was that we removed the words, “especially, the president of the United States.” Why? Because that’s different than the entire approach taken by the resolution.
As long as we’re calling each other out on casting aspersions on each other’s intentions, no one’s intention here to shield anyone from anything.
As evidenced by the fact that as my proposed modification would have provided, it would have said, “Our elected officials should not incite violence or legitimize those who engage in hate fueled acts.”
Last I checked, the president of the United States was and is an elected official. This would apply to him. My counter in no way insulated, not him, not any elected officials, not any of us from this resolution, which simply condemns mob violence.


dailysignal--2020-07-03--Remembering Frederick Douglass’ Great Fourth of July Speech in Context

Each Independence Day , my social media feed divides in two : half commemorates the declaration of our nation ’ s independence from Great Britain , while the other laments the hypocrisy that a nation founded on the idea of liberty would have simultaneously tolerated slavery .
In the last few years , I ’ ve been pleased that both sides seem to freely quote my favorite American , the great Frederick Douglass .
At first glance , his famous speech , “ What to the Slave is the Fourth of July ” comes across as a bit of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slave , is your 4th of July ?
I answer : a day that reveals to him , more than all other days in the year , the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim .
To him , your celebration is a sham ; your boasted liberty , an unholy license ; your national greatness , swelling vanity ; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless ; your denunciations of tyrants , brass fronted impudence ; your shouts of liberty and equality , hollow mockery ; your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thanksgivings , with all your religious parade , and solemnity , are , to him , mere bombast , fraud , deception , impiety , and hypocrisy — a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages .
There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices , more shocking and bloody , than are the people of these United States , at this very hour .
He goes on like this for quite a while , in his trademark rhetorical flourishes , as biting as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s helpful to remember this incredible speech in context .
He gave it in Rochester , New York before the Civil War , to a largely white audience .
This was certainly speaking the truth to power , and there ’ s no doubt he made some folks uncomfortable .
But these were whites who were largely sympathetic to the abolitionist cause , and so were likely to agree with many of his criticisms , harsh though they might have seemed .
Where Douglass may have raised a few eyebrows was in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abolitionist belief that the U.S. Constitution itself was pro-slavery and should be discarded .
When Douglass initially escaped slavery , he had accepted this view , but upon reading and studying the Constitution for himself , he came to a different opinion .
In the very same speech , Douglass declared : [ I ] nterpreted as it ought to be interpreted , the Constitution is a GLORIOUS LIBERTY DOCUMENT .
Read its preamble , consider its purposes .
Is slavery among them ?
Is it at the gateway ?
Or is it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While I do not intend to argue this question on the present occasion , let me ask , if it be not somewhat singular that , if the Constitution were intended to be , by its framers and adopters , a slave-holding instrument , why neither slavery , slaveholding , nor slave can anywhere be found in it … Now , take the Constitution according to its plain reading , and I defy the presentation of a single pro-slavery clause in it .
On the other hand , it will be found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hostile to the existence of slavery .
Douglass was challenging not only the white racists of his day , but also the “ enlightened ” white abolitionists who thought America was irredeemable and wanted to throw away its founding documents .
Today , we have some people who declare that racism no longer exists in any meaningful form , and we have others who declare that America is more racist than it has ever been .
Both these statements are so self-evidently false that it is hard to know how to answer either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to make them .
Yet Douglass ’ s rebuke to both sides presents the way forward : Douglass does not pander to either , but is instead honest and challenges others to the same honesty .
He fought slavery and saw it defeated by the time he was in middle age .
He also challenged the anti-Constitution ideologues of his day to study the Constitution for themselves , instead of mindlessly repeating what they ’ d heard .
Today , we must fight injustices like police brutality , but we must also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down everything about America , including the right of all Americans , among them blacks , to buy , sell , and own property , own their own labor , and accumulate wealth for their children .
Douglass did not concern himself with trying to confiscate slaveholders ’ wealth , but instead built up a small fortune which he used , along with his formidable talents , to liberate and educate countless others .
Let us follow his example to apply ourselves with equal determination to the challenges that lie before us .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lift Every Voice and Sing , ” goes : God of our weary years God of our silent tears Thou who has brought us thus far on the way Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light Keep us forever in the path , we pray Lest our feet stray from the places , our God , where we met Thee Lest , our hearts drunk with the wine of the world , we forget Thee Shadowed beneath Thy hand May we forever stand True to our God True to @ @ @

Each Independence Day, my social media feed divides in two: half commemorates the declaration of our nation’s independence from Great Britain, while the other laments the hypocrisy that a nation founded on the idea of liberty would have simultaneously tolerated slavery.
In the last few years, I’ve been pleased that both sides seem to freely quote my favorite American, the great Frederick Douglass.
At first glance, his famous speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” comes across as a bit of a downer:
What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciations of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade, and solemnity, are, to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy—a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices, more shocking and bloody, than are the people of these United States, at this very hour.
He goes on like this for quite a while, in his trademark rhetorical flourishes, as biting as they were brilliant.
But it’s helpful to remember this incredible speech in context. He gave it in Rochester, New York, before the Civil War, to a largely white audience. This was certainly speaking the truth to power, and there’s no doubt he made some folks uncomfortable.
But these were whites who were largely sympathetic to the abolitionist cause, and so were likely to agree with many of his criticisms, harsh though they might have seemed.
Where Douglass may have raised a few eyebrows was in his conclusion where he challenged the common northern abolitionist belief that the U.S. Constitution itself was pro-slavery and should be discarded. When Douglass initially escaped slavery, he had accepted this view, but upon reading and studying the Constitution for himself, he came to a different opinion. In the very same speech, Douglass declared:
[I]nterpreted as it ought to be interpreted, the Constitution is a GLORIOUS LIBERTY DOCUMENT. Read its preamble, consider its purposes. Is slavery among them? Is it at the gateway? Or is it in the temple? It is neither. While I do not intend to argue this question on the present occasion, let me ask, if it be not somewhat singular that, if the Constitution were intended to be, by its framers and adopters, a slave-holding instrument, why neither slavery, slaveholding, nor slave can anywhere be found in it … Now, take the Constitution according to its plain reading, and I defy the presentation of a single pro-slavery clause in it. On the other hand, it will be found to contain principles and purposes, entirely hostile to the existence of slavery.
Douglass was challenging not only the white racists of his day, but also the “enlightened” white abolitionists who thought America was irredeemable and wanted to throw away its founding documents.
Today, we have some people who declare that racism no longer exists in any meaningful form, and we have others who declare that America is more racist than it has ever been. Both these statements are so self-evidently false that it is hard to know how to answer either charge to the satisfaction of those blind enough to make them.
Yet Douglass’ rebuke to both sides presents the way forward: Douglass does not pander to either, but is instead honest and challenges others to the same honesty. He fought slavery and saw it defeated by the time he was in middle age. He also challenged the anti-Constitution ideologues of his day to study the Constitution for themselves, instead of mindlessly repeating what they’d heard.
Today, we must fight injustices like police brutality, but we must also challenge those who want to indiscriminately tear down everything about America, including the right of all Americans, among them blacks, to buy, sell, and own property, own their own labor, and accumulate wealth for their children.
Douglass did not concern himself with trying to confiscate slaveholders’ wealth, but instead built up a small fortune, which he used, along with his formidable talents, to liberate and educate countless others.
Let us follow his example to apply ourselves with equal determination to the challenges that lie before us. As James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing” goes:


dailysignal--2020-07-03--Texas Congressman Tours American Landmarks: ‘I Pledge to Defend Them!’

At a time when America ’ s monuments and statues are under attack from an angry mob , a Texas congressman took a road trip to personally visit and defend our nation ’ s landmarks ahead of the Independence Day holiday .
Rep. Chip Roy , R-Texas , and members of his congressional staff traveled to Philadelphia , Baltimore , and several landmarks in Washington , D.C. , on Thursday .
They visited Independence Hall , Fort McHenry , the Jefferson Memorial , Washington Monument , Lincoln Memorial , Theodore Roosevelt Island , and the U.S. Capitol .
> > @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Here ’ s an Opportunity to Say Why Roy posted short videos and photos throughout the day on Twitter , pledging his pride in America and vowing to defend the landmarks .
At Independence Hall in Philadelphia , Roy spoke about America ’ s founders and their bold decision to declare independence from Great Britain .
“ Celebrate this great country , ” Roy said .
“ Unapologetically stand up for this great country.
” At Fort McHenry in Baltimore , Roy said he was proud to stand for the national anthem .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s defense of the fort when Francis Scott Key wrote “ The Star-Spangled Banner.
” Roy visited the Jefferson Memorial in Washington , D.C , which honors America ’ s third president , Thomas Jefferson .
Roy called Jefferson one of America ’ s “ most brilliant national leaders ” whose contributions are reflected in the freedoms Americans enjoy today .
“ If you want to engage in canceling Thomas Jefferson or attack his statues or monuments , ” Roy said , “ we have a saying in Texas , ‘ You better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take it.
’ ” Finally , at George Washington University in the nation ’ s capital , Roy lamented an empty pedestal where a statue of America ’ s first president once stood .
“ This madness has to end , ” Roy said .
“ We need to stand up for America .
We need to stand up proudly for what America represents—both in terms of what we ’ ve accomplished and our shortcomings.
” Roy isn ’ t the only member of Congress speaking out in support of America ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivered an impassioned speech against the mob Thursday .
He was offering a resolution condemning the violence when a Democrat colleague attempted to personally blame President Donald Trump .
Lee objected and vowed to cut off government funding to anyone supporting the mob .
> > > Sen. Mike Lee : ‘ The Mob Hates America on America ’ s Dime .
It ’ s Time to Cut Off Their Allowance.
’ Last week , Sen. Rick Scott visited Lincoln Park in Washington , D.C. , where an angry mob threatened to tear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lincoln .
The mob was unsuccessful , blocked by law enforcement and opposed by an older generation of black Washingtonians .
“ We have individuals in this country who are vowing to tear down this statue , ” Scott said in a video posted on YouTube .
“ They are delusional , they are wrong , they ’ re ignorant about our history .
This is anarchy .
We ’ ve got left-wing mayors , left-wing governors who are sitting on the sidelines letting these things happen.
” Scott added : “ America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the beacon of freedom .
America is the land of opportunity where you can live the American dream .
This has got to stop .
”

At a time when America’s monuments and statues are under attack from an angry mob, a Texas congressman took a road trip to personally visit and defend our nation’s landmarks ahead of the Independence Day holiday.
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, and members of his congressional staff traveled to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and several landmarks in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. They visited Independence Hall, Fort McHenry, the Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, Theodore Roosevelt Island, and the U.S. Capitol.
>>> Are You a #ProudAmerican? Here’s an Opportunity to Say Why
Roy posted short videos and photos throughout the day on Twitter, pledging his pride in America and vowing to defend the landmarks.
Went to Independence Hall in Philly, Fort McHenry in Baltimore, & back to DC for the Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Teddy Roosevelt Island & the US Capitol. I’m proud of them and I pledge to defend them! #StandUpForAmerica pic.twitter.com/z2JWMsYb2a — Chip Roy (@chiproytx) July 2, 2020
At Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Roy spoke about America’s Founders and their bold decision to declare independence from Great Britain. “Celebrate this great country,” Roy said. “Unapologetically stand up for this great country.”
I’m in Philadelphia on July 2 at Independence Hall 244 years to the day since our founders voted for Independence from the crown. In this building, they set a new course for all mankind & we should unapologetically celebrate that! This #IndependenceDay, let’s #StandUpForAmerica. pic.twitter.com/NDGtOP2xH1 — Chip Roy (@chiproytx) July 2, 2020
At Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Roy said he was proud to stand for the national anthem. It was in 1814 during America’s defense of the fort when Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The Star Spangled Banner at Fort McHenry in Baltimore… where Francis Scott Key had “proof through the night that our flag was still there!” #StandUpForAmerica #IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/fo7wHPT0Hh — Chip Roy (@chiproytx) July 2, 2020
Roy visited the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C, which honors America’s third president, Thomas Jefferson. Roy called Jefferson one of America’s “most brilliant national leaders” whose contributions are reflected in the freedoms Americans enjoy today.
“If you want to engage in canceling Thomas Jefferson or attack his statues or monuments,” Roy said, “we have a saying in Texas, ‘You better damn well be prepared to come and take it.’”
It's time we stop hiding behind elections and polls and do the right thing because it's the right thing.
Jefferson wasn't afraid to tell a king IN WRITING to pound sand. Why would we bow down to a Twitter mob?
It's time we stand up for our Founders and #StandUpForAmerica! #TX21 pic.twitter.com/EvkLEgbuis — Chip Roy (@chiproytx) July 2, 2020
Finally, at George Washington University in the nation’s capital, Roy lamented an empty pedestal where a statue of America’s first president once stood.
“This madness has to end,” Roy said. “We need to stand up for America. We need to stand up proudly for what America represents—both in terms of what we’ve accomplished and our shortcomings.”
Let's stand up for what America represents — both in terms of what we've accomplished and where we're striving to reach the ideals set out in our Declaration of Independence.
Let's #StandUpForAmerica, celebrate American Independence, and celebrate our founding! #TX21 pic.twitter.com/4H0xvozYOL — Chip Roy (@chiproytx) July 2, 2020
Roy isn’t the only member of Congress speaking out in support of America’s history and heritage.
Sen. Mike Lee delivered an impassioned speech against the mob Thursday. He was offering a resolution condemning the violence when a Democrat colleague attempted to personally blame President Donald Trump. Lee objected and vowed to cut off government funding to anyone supporting the mob.
>>> Sen. Mike Lee: ‘The Mob Hates America on America’s Dime. It’s Time to Cut Off Their Allowance.’
Last week, Sen. Rick Scott visited Lincoln Park in Washington, D.C., where an angry mob threatened to tear down the Emancipation Monument of President Abraham Lincoln. The mob was unsuccessful, blocked by law enforcement and opposed by an older generation of black Washingtonians.
“We have individuals in this country who are vowing to tear down this statue,” Scott said in a video posted on YouTube. “They are delusional, they are wrong, they’re ignorant about our history. This is anarchy. We’ve got left-wing mayors, left-wing governors who are sitting on the sidelines letting these things happen.”
Scott added: “America is the beacon of hope. America is the beacon of freedom. America is the land of opportunity where you can live the American dream. This has got to stop.”


dailysignal--2020-07-03--Putting the COVID-19 Surge in Florida in Context

Florida is melting down .
Or is it ?
While the state has shown a big increase in the number of daily new COVID-19 cases , there also are signs that those increases might not lead to a spike in hospitalizations and deaths .
> > > What ’ s the best way for America to reopen and return to business ?
The National Coronavirus Recovery Commission , a project of The Heritage Foundation , assembled America ’ s top thinkers to figure that out .
So far , it has made more than 260 recommendations .
Learn more here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeSantis has lost control of Florida ’ s COVID-19 response , ” Fried recently told The Guardian .
“ His policies are simply not working , and he ’ s recklessly reopening Florida , despite the data screaming for caution .
“ Refusing to acknowledge the alarming patterns in cases , hospitalizations , and positivity is not only arrogant , but will cost lives , public health , and our economy , ” she said .
Fried and others point to the rising number of new cases in Florida , especially since DeSantis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening on June 5 .
Before June 10 , the state had never logged 2,000 new COVID-19 infections on any day .
Since June 16 , however , it has recorded at least 2,500 cases every day , and daily new cases approached 10,000 on June 26 .
Those sobering numbers could portend a spike in hospitalizations and deaths , something Florida has so far avoided .
But before jumping to that conclusion , it ’ s worth taking a deeper dive into the data .
Let ’ s begin with the age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hospitalizations , and deaths , through June 29 .
When it comes to serious illness , hospitalizations , and deaths from COVID-19 , age matters .
A lot .
Note that more than half the cases are among people under age 45 .
But note also that most hospitalizations are among people over age 65 .
The age differential is even more pronounced when it comes to deaths .
Roughly 85 % of them are among people over 65 and nearly two-thirds of them are among people over 75 .
Although the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45 , the latter account for just 3 % of deaths .
Since age is the best predictor of serious illness and death , the age of newly infected people is an important consideration .
If Florida ’ s spike in new infections is among younger people , it ’ s a less dire concern than if a disproportionate number of older people are testing positive for the contagion .
The following is a chart showing the number of daily new infections , along with the median age of the newly infected .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases .
The bottom set shows the median age of those whose infections were confirmed on that date .
For example , on June 26 , when the state logged a record ( at least to date ) 9,557 new cases , the median age of those who tested positive was 34 .
That median has held remarkably steady between ages 33 and 37 since mid-June .
That ’ s encouraging news .
Those under 34 account for only 6 % of hospitalizations and just 1 % of deaths , as we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bulk of new infections in Florida is occurring among people in their mid-30s and younger .
Some of them , unfortunately , will become seriously or critically ill , and a small number won ’ t survive the illness .
They and their families will suffer hardships that can not be minimized .
But overall , if the increase in COVID-19 infections is occurring predominantly among younger people , the incidence of serious illness and death will be lower than if the increase were primarily among the elderly .
Florida ’ s numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraging .
While the state reports the median age of new cases , it doesn ’ t tell us what percentage are occurring among the elderly .
That ’ s the most critical data point .
The state has published data on every case reported as of June 29 , but not in a machine-readable format .
Manually entering data for 6,000 cases is impractical .
By the time I finished with today ’ s numbers , it would be time to start on tomorrow ’ s .
So , I did the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ random sample of 362 cases , weighted by county , that were reported for June 29 .
The following table presents the results .
The sample has a margin of error of +/- 5 percent at a 95 % confidence interval , so it ’ s not a point estimate .
The table compares the age composition of cases reported for June 29 with all cases reported since the start of the pandemic .
The most striking difference between the June 29 sample and the aggregate cases is among the older demographic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ just 21 % of the June 29 sample , compared with 29 % of aggregate cases since the pandemic ’ s inception .
Even more significant , newly confirmed cases among the over 65 group account for only 10 % of the June 29 sample , compared with 16 % of aggregate cases .
The sample suggests that the new infections that have been rising rapidly in Florida for the past several weeks are disproportionately among age groups least at risk of serious illness from the virus .
That ’ s generally encouraging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the worst outcomes from COVID-19 .
It may help explain why , despite a spike in new infections , there has not yet been a spike in hospitalizations and deaths .
Those increases might yet occur as infection rates rise , but there also is reason for optimism .
Daily hospitalizations have risen throughout the month of June , but remain only slightly above previous peaks reached in April and May .
Daily fatalities remain substantially below the peaks hit during May .
If new cases are trending younger , there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t spike , although it ’ s far too soon to tell .
The potential good news should be met with caution .
The volume of cases reported over the past several weeks is much higher than it was earlier in the pandemic .
Even if seniors make up only 10 % of new cases , as the sample suggests , that percentage must be applied to very large numbers of new cases .
In short , a spike in hospitalizations and deaths remains a real possibility in Florida , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives some cause for hope .

Florida is melting down. Or is it?
While the state has shown a big increase in the number of daily new COVID-19 cases, there also are signs that those increases might not lead to a spike in hospitalizations and deaths.
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, the only Democrat elected statewide, painted a grim picture.
>>> What’s the best way for America to reopen and return to business? The National Coronavirus Recovery Commission, a project of The Heritage Foundation, assembled America’s top thinkers to figure that out. So far, it has made more than 260 recommendations. Learn more here.
“Gov. [Ron] DeSantis has lost control of Florida’s COVID-19 response,” Fried recently told The Guardian. “His policies are simply not working, and he’s recklessly reopening Florida, despite the data screaming for caution.
“Refusing to acknowledge the alarming patterns in cases, hospitalizations, and positivity is not only arrogant, but will cost lives, public health, and our economy,” she said.
Fried and others point to the rising number of new cases in Florida, especially since DeSantis announced the state’s Phase 2 reopening on June 5. Before June 10, the state had never logged 2,000 new COVID-19 infections on any day. Since June 16, however, it has recorded at least 2,500 cases every day, and daily new cases approached 10,000 on June 26.
Those sobering numbers could portend a spike in hospitalizations and deaths, something Florida has so far avoided.
But before jumping to that conclusion, it’s worth taking a deeper dive into the data. Let’s begin with the age distribution of Florida’s aggregate infections, hospitalizations, and deaths, through June 29.
When it comes to serious illness, hospitalizations, and deaths from COVID-19, age matters. A lot.
Note that more than half the cases are among people under age 45. But note also that most hospitalizations are among people over age 65.
The age differential is even more pronounced when it comes to deaths. Roughly 85% of them are among people over 65 and nearly two-thirds of them are among people over 75. Although the majority of cases are among people under 45, the latter account for just 3% of deaths.
Since age is the best predictor of serious illness and death, the age of newly infected people is an important consideration.
If Florida’s spike in new infections is among younger people, it’s a less dire concern than if a disproportionate number of older people are testing positive for the contagion.
The following is a chart showing the number of daily new infections, along with the median age of the newly infected.
The top set of bars shows daily new cases. The bottom set shows the median age of those whose infections were confirmed on that date.
For example, on June 26, when the state logged a record (at least to date) 9,557 new cases, the median age of those who tested positive was 34. That median has held remarkably steady between ages 33 and 37 since mid-June.
That’s encouraging news. Those under 34 account for only 6% of hospitalizations and just 1% of deaths, as we saw in the first chart. The bulk of new infections in Florida is occurring among people in their mid-30s and younger.
Some of them, unfortunately, will become seriously or critically ill, and a small number won’t survive the illness. They and their families will suffer hardships that cannot be minimized.
But overall, if the increase in COVID-19 infections is occurring predominantly among younger people, the incidence of serious illness and death will be lower than if the increase were primarily among the elderly.
Florida’s numbers in that respect are at least mildly encouraging.
While the state reports the median age of new cases, it doesn’t tell us what percentage are occurring among the elderly. That’s the most critical data point.
The state has published data on every case reported as of June 29, but not in a machine-readable format. Manually entering data for 6,000 cases is impractical. By the time I finished with today’s numbers, it would be time to start on tomorrow’s.
So, I did the next best thing. I took a random sample of 362 cases, weighted by county, that were reported for June 29. The following table presents the results. The sample has a margin of error of +/- 5 percent at a 95% confidence interval, so it’s not a point estimate.
The table compares the age composition of cases reported for June 29 with all cases reported since the start of the pandemic.
The most striking difference between the June 29 sample and the aggregate cases is among the older demographic.
People aged 55 and older made up just 21% of the June 29 sample, compared with 29% of aggregate cases since the pandemic’s inception. Even more significant, newly confirmed cases among the over 65 group account for only 10% of the June 29 sample, compared with 16% of aggregate cases.
The sample suggests that the new infections that have been rising rapidly in Florida for the past several weeks are disproportionately among age groups least at risk of serious illness from the virus.
That’s generally encouraging news, given that seniors are prone to the worst outcomes from COVID-19.
It may help explain why, despite a spike in new infections, there has not yet been a spike in hospitalizations and deaths. Those increases might yet occur as infection rates rise, but there also is reason for optimism.
Daily hospitalizations have risen throughout the month of June, but remain only slightly above previous peaks reached in April and May. Daily fatalities remain substantially below the peaks hit during May. If new cases are trending younger, there’s reason to hope that these rates won’t spike, although it’s far too soon to tell.
The potential good news should be met with caution. The volume of cases reported over the past several weeks is much higher than it was earlier in the pandemic. Even if seniors make up only 10% of new cases, as the sample suggests, that percentage must be applied to very large numbers of new cases.
In short, a spike in hospitalizations and deaths remains a real possibility in Florida, but the age profile of newly infected patients gives some cause for hope.