Fears as Florida’s toll soars
Sons ‘could be forced to pay back furlough cash’
BY TAMARA LUSH FLORIDA has recorded the largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases in any US state.
The Department of Health said 15,299 people tested positive.
California had the previous record of daily positive cases at 11,694 four days ago. New York had 11,571 on April 15.
The numbers come at the end of a grim, recordbreaking week in Florida, with 514 fatalities.
Throughout May and into June, the state reopened much of its economy with restrictions.
Testing has increased but the percentage of positives has soared.
A month ago, fewer than five per cent of tests came up positive on a daily average. Over the past week, the daily average exceeded 19 per cent.
On Saturday, the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom reopened at Walt Disney World in Orlando, alarming health advisers.
Health experts have also expressed concern that the Republican National Convention’s nomination party for President Donald Trump will be held in Jacksonville in August.
We would urge the hotels’ owners to think twice
UNITE THE UNION’S HOSPITALITY REP
DONALD Trump’s Scots hotel group was at the centre of job fears last night after the firm admitted it was finding the coronavirus crisis “difficult”.
Employees told the Record they’ve been warned about their future as a union said bosses at the firm – including the US president’s sons – could be held liable for furlough cash if jobs are lost.
Trump Organisation owns the 827-acre Turnberry in Ayrshire and the MacLeod lodge on the Menie Estate, Aberdeenshire.
The five-star sites employ hundreds of people.
A hotel insider told the Record there had been a threat to jobs – although the Trump Organisation last night refused to discuss how many were affected.
A spokesman for Unite the Union’s hospitality wing claimed any decision to cut staff could “spell trouble” for Trump’s sons, Eric and Donald Jr, in light of the UK Government’s furlough scheme.
The brothers run the Trump Organisation after their father gave up the role when he became president.
The union rep said: “Last week, the Treasury reworded the purpose of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to say it is “integral” that its money is ‘used by the employer to continue the employment of employees’.
“This could spell trouble for bosses at Trump Turnberry, including Eric and Donald Jr, who may be held liable for the furlough money they have received by the UK taxpayer.
“We would urge the owners of the hotel to think twice before they make such a premature and ill-informed decision which would devastate the livelihoods of so many loyal workers.”
Just last week, Trump Turnberry general manager Ralph Porciani boasted to our sister paper the Ayrshire Post that the resort had almost 160 bookings.
Asked about a redundancy threat, Sarah Malone, executive vice president of Trump International Scotland, said the situation was “highly sensitive”.
She added: “Our valued team members are uttermost in our thoughts and at the heart of all our communication as we navigate our way through this difficult crisis in the weeks and months ahead.”