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Teachers win injunction to prevent in-person learning

PHOTO: Nina Bac works to set up each kids desk including their individual school supply kit which each student will have on their desk in her kindergarten classroom at Macfarlane Park IB Elementary, Aug. 21, 2020 in Tampa.
6:01
Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via Zuma Press
Why opening public schools during a pandemic is so difficult
By Morgan Winsor, Matt Zarrell
Last Updated: August 24, 2020, 7:52 PM

The global coronavirus pandemic has now killed more than 806,000 people worldwide, nearly a quarter of those in the U.S.

More 23.2 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new respiratory virus, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The actual numbers are believed to be much higher due to testing shortages, unreported cases and suspicions that some national governments are hiding or downplaying the scope of their outbreaks.

The United States is the worst-affected country, with more than 5.6 million diagnosed cases and at least 176,659 deaths.

Today's developments:

  • Florida teachers union wins injunction to prevent in-person learning
  • Tuscaloosa closes bars until September after cases rise at University of Alabama
  • EPA approves 1st long-lasting disinfectant against novel coronavirus
  • University of Hong Kong reports 1st case of human reinfection
  • US reports under 1,000 new deaths for 1st time in almost a week
Here's how the news developed today. All times Eastern.

Aug 24, 2020 7:52 PM

NFL had zero players test positive last week

The National Football League announced on Monday that zero players tested positive for COVID-19 from Aug. 12 to Aug. 20

In total, 58,397 tests were administered to 8,573 players and personnel during that time period, the league said in a statement on Monday.

Of the 35,137 tests given to team personnel during that time period, six people were confirmed to be positive, the NFL said.


Aug 24, 2020 7:48 PM

Florida teachers union wins injunction to prevent in-person learning

A teachers’ union in Florida has won an injunction stopping the enforcement of an executive order requiring schools in the state to be open for in-person learning.

In July, Commissioner Richard Corcoran with the Florida Department of Education issued an emergency order that schools must be open at least five days per week for all students. The order was “subject to advice and orders” given by the Department of Health.

The order was for all brick-and-mortar schools to open by Monday, Aug. 31, according to court documents.

The Florida Education Association, which is the state’s largest teachers’ union, filed a lawsuit against Corcoran and Gov. Ron DeSantis in an effort to halt that order.

Tallahassee Circuit Court Judge Charles Dodson granted the union’s injunction request on Monday, ruling that the order from state officials was unconstitutional.

Dodson in his ruling adjusted the emergency order, removing the requirement that the schools be open five days a week and ordering that the day-to-day decision to open or close the schools be left with those most closely associated to the school including the school board and superintendent.

The judge in his ruling also noted how the hearings last week took place over Zoom due to concerns about safety amid the coronavirus pandemic.

FEA appreciates that Judge Dodson has granted our motion for a temporary injunction against Commissioner Corcoran’s executive order. Districts’ hands will not be tied as we continue the fight to protect students and educators in our public schools. Press avail will be at 3:45pm.

— Florida Education Association (@FloridaEA) August 24, 2020

Aug 24, 2020 7:08 PM

Higher-risk school sports in NY can practice, not play

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that certain sports will be allowed to begin practice and playing on Sept. 21 as the state has reached it's lowest infection rate since the pandemic began.

Sports including tennis, soccer, cross country, field hockey and swimming, all considered lower and moderate-risk sports, can begin competitions. Travel for these sports will be prohibited outside the school's region until Oct. 19, the governor said.

The higher-risk sports -- football, wrestling, rugby, hockey and volleyball -- may begin to practice on Sept. 21 but cannot play against other teams. A date for when competitions can take place was not announced.

PHOTO: A high school referee is seen during the Kokomo Wildkats and Western Panthers game at Kokomo High School, Aug. 22, 2020, in Kokomo, Indiana.
Michael Hickey/Getty Images
A high school referee is seen during the Kokomo Wildkats and Western Panthers game at Kokomo High School, Aug. 22, 2020, in Kokomo, Indiana.
Michael Hickey/Getty Images

"The State has done a lot of research on how we can safely have our students participate in school sports and get the exercise they need, and the guidance we developed will allow lower-risk sports to begin practicing and playing next month," Cuomo said.

Schools will have to limit capacity of indoor facilities to 50% and no more than two spectators per player. Those attending will be required to follow proper social distancing guidelines and wear face coverings.



Aug 24, 2020 5:05 PM

Tuscaloosa closes bars until September after cases rise at University of Alabama

The city of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, will close its bars starting at 6 p.m. on Monday after the University of Alabama reported a rise in COVID-19 cases.

Mayor Walter Maddox signed an executive order restricting all bars from serving alcohol until Sept. 8 -- anyone who violates the order could be fined or sentenced to a maximum of 180 days in the municipal jail.

In a letter to students on Sunday, university President Stuart Bell called the rise in cases on campus to be "unacceptable" and said this is a "critical moment" for the school.

PHOTO: People make their way along The Strip, the University of Alabama's bar scene, Aug. 15, 2020, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Vasha Hunt/AP, FILE
People make their way along The Strip, the University of Alabama's bar scene, Aug. 15, 2020, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Vasha Hunt/AP, FILE

"Make no mistake, this trend is a real threat to our ability to complete the semester on campus," Bell said, adding that "violations to our health and safety protocols" are "subject to harsh disciplinary action, up to and including suspension" from the university.

University police and the Tuscaloosa Police Department will monitor bars, restaurants and off-campus residences where guidelines are not being followed.

ABC News' Janice McDonald contributed to this report.


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