Coronavirus Watch: Stay safe this Fourth of July
Need ideas for how to safely celebrate independence today?
You could watch a virtual fireworks show, write a thank you letter to members of the military, or register to vote. Find more ideas here, or relax and enjoy the hit musical "Hamilton," now streaming on Disney+.
It's Saturday, and this is the Coronavirus Watch from the Paste BN Network. Here's the most significant news of the day, as of 1 p.m. ET:
- Despite objections from health officials, President Donald Trump is hosting hundreds of people for a Fourth of July party at the White House that will feature music and fireworks.
- Florida added 11,458 cases Saturday, setting a record for most new cases in one day. While many beaches are closed across the state, many people flocked to the beach along South Florida's east coast for the holiday.
- Major League Baseball, resuming spring training Friday, announced that 31 players and seven staff members tested positive as part of intake screening.
- Today's numbers: More than 2.8 million people have tested positive for the virus in the U.S., and more than 129,000 have died. Worldwide, more than 11.1 million people have tested positive for the virus, and more than 526,000 have died. See the numbers in your area here, and see where cases are rising here.
Do you have questions about the coronavirus? You can submit them through this form, and we'll answer them. Patty from Virginia asks: Why are experts saying school is safe for kids when we don’t have studies done and schools closed in March across the country?
Experts don't argue that school is "safe" for kids, since almost everything you do amid the pandemic comes some degree of risk. But, in an opinion piece for Paste BN, contributors argue that our youngest and most disadvantaged children should go back to full-time school. They argue that early research shows kids are far less likely to be virus hosts, spreaders or victims, and that educational disruptions can have lasting emotional and academic consequences, especially for younger students.
What do parents want? A Gallup poll this month showed a majority want their kids to go back full time. However, a Paste BN poll in late May found 6 in 10 parents said they were more likely to pursue at-home learning options and nearly a third of parents said they were "very likely" to do so.
Our reporting finds that many kids will be headed toward hybrid schedules, in which they would attend school on alternating days or weeks to maintain physical distancing in class.
As always, thank you for subscribing! We appreciate you trusting the Paste BN Network with this important information.
– Grace Hauck, Paste BN breaking news reporter, @grace_hauck