GOP governors in Florida and Texas split as coronavirus cases surge
(CNN) As coronavirus cases spike in Texas and Florida, the states' Republican governors have split on how seriously to take the surge in cases and whether to mandate masks. And he is downplaying the spike in cases in his state, saying that those contracting the virus are younger. Coronavirus cases have accelerated across much of the South and Southwest in recent weeks. Florida on Tuesday reported 7,347 coronavirus cases over the previous 24 hours, bringing the state's total to 213,773. In Texas, Abbott -- like DeSantis -- has refused to take responsibility for the climb in cases.