With reported cases and hospitalizations rising, health officials urge people to get vaccinated and get booster shots if they are eligible. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, however, has a different stance.

News 6 employees stepped up their game with unique themes and decor.

DeSantis and another speaker made statements regarding the coronavirus vaccine and “natural immunity” from COVID-19.

As school districts across the state are defying Gov. Ron DeSantis' mask ban, he is claiming children who contract COVID-19 and recover do not need to wear masks in school because they have immunity.

Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed Wednesday people who had recovered from the coronavirus were immune to getting it again.

The office of Gov. Ron DeSantis released a statement after hearing the recommendations from officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said even fully vaccinated people should wear masks indoors as the coronavirus cases increase across the country.

Central Florida is seeing fallout from a cyber-attack that forced the nation's largest gas pipeline to shut down.

One of Central Florida’s largest venues is planning to re-open at full capacity in fall, but will the state or Central Florida have reached herd immunity with COVID-19 by then?

When supporters of former President Donald Trump violently broke into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, the melee left five people dead, including a Capitol police officer. Even though many of the rioters waved Trump flags and wore Trump hats, some Republican politicians quickly blamed the intrusion on Antifa. According to Bray, Antifa gained new prominence in the United States in 2017 after a clash with the white supremacist, Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. “The left in America has incited far more political violence than the right,” Gaetz has also said on the floor of the House of Representatives. Based on information from the FBI, the Anti-Defamation League and a historian, we give the claim of Antifa being involved in the attack on the Capitol a rating of Not True on the Trust Index.

One viral post is making its rounds outlining why lawmakers should proceed with impeachment. “I think one of the sources of confusion surrounds the word impeachment,” University of Miami Law professor Carolina Mala Corbin said. She elaborated that impeachment is a two-step process, with impeachment being the first step. “The U.S. Constitution impeachment clauses do contemplate barring the president from holding office in the future,” Corbin said, addressing one of the claims made in the viral post. “Basically, these benefits are not available to someone whose office has been terminated by impeachment and removal,” Corbin said.

[TRUST INDEX: See a questionable claim on social media? Share it with the Trust Index fact-checking team]As we wrap up this eventful year, let’s take a look back at a few of the biggest claims we checked in 2020. News 6 took the claims, including the president’s, and ran them through the Trust Index to see if they had a legal leg to stand on. Through our Trust Index initiative and beyond, News 6 is committed to bringing you the facts and stopping the spread of misinformation. Help us do that by submitting claims you see circulating on social media or elsewhere to our team of trained fact-checkers here.

Daily COVID-19 deaths in December are listed on a trending social media graphic showing the 10 deadliest days in U.S. history. RELATED: The chilling story behind the ‘Deadliest Days in American history’ meme (CNET)RELATED: Did 4 of the deadliest days in U.S. history occur in December 2020? (Snopes)Recent daily COVID-19 death totals are among the worst in U.S. history, but the graphic leaves out other terrible days, including the entire Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918. 1, though we couldn’t find daily death totals. The meme shows daily COVID-19 fatalities for several days in early December rival these historic tragedies.

As the United States waits for a COVID-19 vaccine, the internet has lit up with misinformation spreading nearly as fast as the virus itself.

President Donald Trump’s window to try and use the courts to overturn the 2020 election results is closing quickly. The president has alleged voting fraud with no evidence and so far has had a string of court losses to prove it. Even after a Trump recount in Wisconsin, the chairman of the Wisconsin election commission certified Biden the winner as well. News 6 political analyst Jim Clark points to Trump’s Election Defense Fund. “Remember, President Trump is also raising money,” Clark said.

From voting machines to poll workers, President Donald Trump is claiming all types of voter fraud, but the president’s claims aren’t credible, according to election experts. [TRENDING: Eta floods Florida | Romaine calm: Florida man arrested after lettuce tirade | DeSantis accused of wanting herd immunity]In the fight for the White House, Trump is still fanning the flames of alleged voter fraud -- with no evidence, according to Clark. “We still cannot come up with a single case where someone could prove voter fraud." Twitter flagged the tweet, posting “this claim about election fraud is disputed.”It’s been disputed by both states. “While in earlier elections poll watchers were able to just stand over the shoulder of the workers,” Clark said.

ORLANDO, Fla. – President Donald Trump, his lawyers and some of his allies have repeatedly claimed widespread voter fraud illegally tilted last week’s election in favor of former Vice President Joe Biden. “I don’t know how he votes because his vote is secret,” said Giuliani, who had not filed a lawsuit alleging voter fraud by late Monday. “It doesn’t mean there is anything illegal about this.”Should Trump’s lawyers eventually present proof of voter fraud, Clark believes judges will be reluctant to intervene. “(Trump) would have to find 120,000 votes of fraud, or a mistake, or whatever in four or five states,” Clark said. But when it comes to accusations of widespread voter fraud, News 6 gives the claim “Be Careful” on the Trust Index since, at the time of this publication, no attorney has formally made such claims in a lawsuit.

Election officials in states across the country are releasing vote totals for the presidential election, some question the ballots being counted after Election Day. I easily WIN the Presidency of the United States with LEGAL VOTES CAST. “I easily win the Presidency of the United States with legal votes cast,” President Trump posted on Twitter. Votes cast after the deadline in state law are not legally cast votes. — Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) November 6, 2020“Votes cast after the deadline in state law are not legally cast votes,” Rubio said.

This has also led to a series of lawsuits in contested states two of which have already been dismissed. “All of the recent Biden claimed states will be legally challenged by us for voter fraud and state election fraud. In Michigan, Trump claims an election challenger was excluded from the counting board during the absent voter ballot review process, according to the lawsuit. Clark says Trump’s claims are short on evidence. Based on information from a law professor and political analyst, we give the President’s claims of voter fraud “Be careful” on the Trust Index.

Here’s a look at the facts:CLAIM: Votes were eliminated in Arizona because people were made to use Sharpie pens to mark their ballots. Arizona election officials confirmed that Sharpies were used in voting, but they said that would not invalidate a ballot. She is seeking a court order that all Maricopa County voters whose ballots were rejected as a result of using a Sharpie be given a chance to fix their ballots. Aguilera also is asking for such voters to be able to be present while election officials count their ballots. After a review of suggestions that Sharpie pens invalidate ballots, it’s been determined that the claims are not true.

Here are five tips for navigating what could be a deeply confusing and anxious period:Even after states declare, keep in mind that the race isn’t over. You can share any election-related posts you’re seeing with the Trust Index fact-checking team and we’ll get to work on it. Use the Trust Index form to send it to trained fact-checkers for review and possible debunking on a newscast or online. They also helped created Trust Index, our fact-checking team. The Trust Index team fact checks questionable information circulating on social media and in our communities.

As Election Day finally arrives it is going to be easy to feel overwhelmed by the volume of information being aimed at every single voter in the country. As polls open here are five things to watch for on Election Day 2020:Many, many reports, photos, and videos of long lines. You can also share what you are seeing with the Trust Index team and we’ll get to work on it. Use the Trust Index form to send it to trained fact-checkers for review and possible debunking on a newscast or online. The Trust Index team fact checks questionable information circulating on social media and in our communities.

Stay safe and stay home.”“This coming on the eve of election, we think is designed to suppress the vote tomorrow,” said Orange County Democratic Party Chair Wes Hodge, while standing across the street from the Supervisor of Elections Office Monday. Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles said he didn’t know there was an issue until he saw Hodge holding a news conference across the street from the elections office. “We do know that Republicans make up a large number of the voters that vote on election day. Who can possibly tell?”“The Florida Department of State has not received any reports regarding a robocall encouraging people to stay home on Election Day,” said spokesman Mark Ard. If anyone has an issue voting on Election Day they can call the Voter Protection Hotline at 833-VOTE-FLA.

Adam Stadler and Audrey Stadler have been through it. Adam Stadler has only been home for a few days after getting sick three times with two hospitalizations since April. Adam Stadler first got COVID-19 at the end of March and was treated at United Memorial Medical Center in Houston. “You can get COVID-19 twice,” Varon said. Based on interviews with doctors, information from the CDC, and medical studies, we give, “Can you contract COVID-19 twice?” a rating of true on the Trust Index.

“If your trip is long, longer than two hours or so, then you have a risk if you don’t wear a mask,” Chen said. One video shows how far a singers breath travels without a mask another shows how far it travels with a mask. “These aspirants that you really can’t control, I wasn’t so sure about masks but, I’m a believer now,” Moore said. The study concluded COVID-19 exposure is quote “non-existent” if passengers are seated and wearing masks. Based on multiple interviews and studies, we give, “Can you contract Covid-19 on an airplane?” Be Careful on the Trust Index.

Hays said not anyone can just be a poll watcher, he said there’s a process, along with approval required. “The only people that are allowed to be poll watchers are people who have been approved by the local supervisor of elections, from a list that is submitted by either a candidate, or political party, or political committee,” Hays said. Additionally, Hays said there are strict rules pertaining to poll watchers. This allows poll watchers to observe what’s going on at a polling place and have a better understanding of the actions they’re witnessing, according to Hays. Seminole County’s Supervisor of Elections, Chris Anderson, said poll watchers will also be clearly identified.

During an election period it is not unusual for candidates or their volunteers to go door-to-door, but how much of your information should they have and how much should you share with them?

Some Central Florida voters have brought up concerns with the envelopes used to submit their mail-in ballot. You must remember to sign the envelope.”Public voting records show the first glimpse at how many mail-in ballots are being counted before the November election. As of Thursday morning, 236,969 mail-in ballots had been received in Florida. Florida Mail In Ballot TotalIn Central Florida, 31,250 ballots have been received according to the Florida Office of Elections. County Election Total Ballots Recieved Brevard 10866 - General 592 Flagler 10866 - General 301 Lake 10866 - General 3,699 Marion 10866 - General 4,670 Orange 10866 - General 459 Osceola 10866 - General 7,241 Polk 10866 - General 260 Seminole 10866 - General 285 Sumter 10866 - General 88 Volusia 10866 - General 13,682The numbers above reflect only for ballots that have been received through Thursday.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – When Deanna Magee sealed up her Seminole County mail-in ballot for the primary election in August, she noticed her party affiliation printed on the back of the envelope. “I didn’t feel like my mail-in ballot was safe once I realized that, because the person who’s delivering my mail may not agree with my party affiliation,” Magee said. “Honestly, I don’t think they should know what party affiliation anybody is,” Magee said. “That explains if you are a certain party affiliation, you are getting the correct ballot based on your party affiliation. That’s more than a third of our voters.”Arrington also pointed out that political affiliation is public record.

As the Nov. 3 general election approaches, many Central Floridians have been receiving text messages on their mobile devices soliciting donations for political candidates, offering assistance with mail-in ballots or inquiring about voter registration status.

“Is that accurate?” It’s a question we’re all asking about social media posts and online reports a lot these days. The Trust Index team is here to help.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump claimed accomplishments he didn’t earn on the pandemic, energy and veterans at a Republican convention finale that also heard Black Lives Matter baselessly accused of coordinating violent protests across the country. His shutdown would inflict unthinkable and lasting harm on our nation’s children, families, and citizens of all backgrounds.”THE FACTS: That’s false. You haven’t seen that in a long time.”THE FACTS: Trump seems to be taking credit for lower prices that were the byproduct of a pandemic that has killed more than 180,000 Americans. There’s no evidence that Black Lives Matter or antifa, or any political group for that matter, is infiltrating racial injustice protests with violence. Cotton also played into the convention’s pattern of attributing every questionable action of President Barack Obama’s administration to Biden personally.

CHICAGO (AP) — False claims that Kamala Harris is not legally eligible to serve as U.S. vice president or president have been circulating in social media posts since 2019, when she first launched her Democratic primary campaign. ... It’s not something that we will be pursuing.” Asked point blank if Harris is eligible, Trump replied: “I just told you. I have not got into it in great detail.”A look at the claim:THE CLAIM: Harris is ineligible to serve as vice president or president because her mother is from India and her father is from Jamaica. Trump said Thursday that he “heard” the California senator doesn’t meet the requirements, adding, “I have no if idea that’s right.”THE FACTS: That’s false. Harris was born on Oct. 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, according to a copy of her birth certificate, obtained by The Associated Press.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans tuned into the Democratic National Convention were told Thursday that the higher minimum wage favored by presidential candidate Joe Biden would lift all full-time workers out of poverty. SEN. CORY BOOKER: “Together, with Joe and Kamala in the White House, we’ll raise the minimum wage so no one who works a full-time job lives in poverty.”THE FACTS: That’s an improbable outcome for the $15 minimum wage supported by Biden. Moreover, the report estimated a $15 minimum wage would cost 1.3 million people their jobs because they would be priced out of the market. That finding suggests that a $15 federal minimum would not take all full-time workers out of poverty. Trust IndexThe Trust Index team fact checks questionable information circulating on social media and in our communities.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is muddying the facts about mail-in voting and vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Mail-in ballots are cast in the same way as absentee mail ballots, with the same level of scrutiny such as signature verification in many states. That means they can use mail-in ballots for any reason, regardless of whether a person is out of town or working. Five of those states relied on mail-in ballots even before the coronavirus pandemic raised concerns about voting in person. THE FACTS: Harris, a senator from California, is without question eligible.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Michelle Obama assailed President Donald Trump on Monday for ripping migrant children from their parents and throwing them into cages, picking up on a frequent and distorted point made widely by Democrats. She’s right that Trump’s now-suspended policy at the U.S.-Mexico border separated thousands of children from their families in ways that had not been done before. At the height of the controversy over Trump’s zero-tolerance policy at the border, photos that circulated online of children in the enclosures generated great anger. But prominent Democrats have continued to cite cages for children as a distinctive cruelty of Trump. The Obama administration separated migrant children from families under certain limited circumstances, like when the child’s safety appeared at risk or when the parent had a serious criminal history.

Universal mail-in ballots is a system where states automatically mail ballots to all registered voters. “Now they want to send in million and millions of ballots,” Trump said. It’s going to be a catastrophe.”In Florida, voters have to request an absentee or mail-in ballot, which Trump did. Unlike some states, voters do not need to have a medical or other reason to vote-by-mail. News 6 political analyst Dr. Jim Clark says when it comes to voter fraud there is often smoke, but no fire.

In the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, testing is essential.

Ron DeSantiss comments through the Trust Index. At a press conference Tuesday, DeSantis talked about the positivity rates of people being tested for Coronavirus. "We have seen positivity rates 50-60 percent in some parts of the country," he said. You mentioned yesterday some states were 60-70 percent positivity rates, can you tell us which states you were referring to? News 6 asked. Based on the number of news conferences and reporter questions, we give DeSantiss comments about media coverage--Not True on the Trust Index.

Sunday during a press conference with the governor, Dr. Jason Foland with Struder Family Children's Hospital made a statement regarding the strength of the mutated virus. Scientists at Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter have been tracking and researching coronaviruses for more than 20 years. Shortly after COVID-19 made its way to the US, scientists found that it mutated to a more contagious virus called D614G. So when it comes Dr. Foland’s comments about the virus getting weaker, on our trust index it’s not true. News 6 used the Trust Index and found that information indicating COVID-19 has mutated into a weaker virus is not true.

A few months ago, when the virus had just hit the state, health experts speculated that summer heat may slow the spread of the virus. As Florida finds itself further into the summer months, cases of COVID-19 continue to skyrocket. These numbers seem to indicate that despite hot weather, the COVID-19 pandemic continues with force. Although there are many illnesses that destruct with heat and humidity, this usually occurs in ideal situations. The medical community needs much more research and data to definitively determine the effects of heat and humidity on the virus.

But with a highly contagious virus still among the Central Florida community, is it safe to stay indoors and enjoy the air conditioning? Ron DeSantis held a news conference Friday where he posed doubt over the safety of air conditioning amid the pandemic. Air conditioning units and the spread of COVID-19 is a complicated question, but to date, there have not been large concerns or reported cases of widespread transmission due to an air conditioning unit, Bahl said. The questions surrounding air conditioning units depend on the type of air being circulated. It was hypothesized that an air conditioning unit could have been a contributing factor (to the spread of COVID-19), however not all individuals at the restaurant were infected.

Trust Index is Graham Media Group’s initiative to combat misinformation and provide viewers and readers fact-checked information to share with others. All sources are disclosed in a Trust Index story on our website. Each Trust Index story receives one of three labels:Trust Index badges include: "It's True," "Be Careful," and "Not True." The designated label is assigned after a claim of information is reviewed through the Trust Index process established in our newsrooms. You can email the Trust Index team at: trustindex@grahammedia.com.

News 6 has discovered a discrepancy in COVID-19 deaths reported across the state of Florida.

As health professionals guide people on how to protect themselves from coronavirus, President Donald Trump said he has turned to taking daily doses of hydroxychloroquine as a preventative measure.

As more testing sites close across Central Florida, one medical research expert says random sample testing is the best way to trace the virus. While Florida’s coronavirus dashboard breaks down testing numbers, there is no mention of random or sentinel testing. The Florida Department of Health in Orange County did so some sentinel testing in nursing homes in April. Private companies have also conducted random testing in nursing homes in Sumter County. Even a small random sample can be telling for a community, according to Mokdad.

News 6 is running these numbers through our trust index to find out what percentage of our population has been tested. We have been asking the governor and the Florida Department of Health that question for weeks, but despite repeated emails and phone calls we still do not have a clear answer. The state does not give the number of people who have been tested, and there is a difference. If you have a test for COVID-19 and it’s positive, the Florida Department of Health recommends 14 days of isolation, after that, you should have another test. We have been asking the governor and the Florida Department of Health the question for weeks, but despite repeated emails and phone calls we still do not have a clear answer.

In the fight against coronavirus, the state of Florida releases daily reports and has created an online dashboard that is updated twice a day.

In the fight against COVID-19, there is a wealth of stats and figures that can be broken down in numerous ways.

Anyone else finding themselves spending more time than usual on social media, considering the coronavirus pandemic? But like most things, Facebook is whatever you want to make it. You don’t have to give up on social media in general, or even Facebook in particular. The social media giants say they’re working hard behind the scenes to remove bot accounts and build a better platform. In the meantime, here are some simple yet effective things you can do to make your own Facebook interactions less contentious and more civil.

“Is that accurate?” It’s a question we’re all asking about social media posts and online reports a lot these days. The Trust Index team is here to help.