Florida vaccine supply to rise again with Moderna, Pfizer while next shipment of J&J uncertain
Continued increase in the Pfizer vaccine means Florida will once again see a jump in supply next week. The data released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday nearly 20,000 more doses of Pfizer over this week’s allotment. An equal number of second doses for each of the two vaccines has also been allotted, with first doses usually arriving from Monday-Wednesday each week. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
See also:
» Florida’s federal COVID vaccine campaign is supposed to help minorities. Is it working?
» About 1.8 million Florida seniors are still not vaccinated
Florida strawberry farmers rebound after Covid lockdown caused financial devastation
Tampa Bay growers are rebounding, one year after the Coronavirus lockdown left many of them financially devastated. According to Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms, 2020 was one of the bad years for Parkesdale Farms. The Plant City farm is known for its strawberries but also grows some vegetables. Its fruits ships to places up the east coast, to as far as Canada. Parkes says 80% of his strawberry crop was picked before the country went into lockdown last March. [Source: Fresh Plaza]
Bill changing Bright Futures scholarships stalls as student opposition mounts
A contentious proposal that would reshape Florida’s popular Bright Futures scholarship program and other aspects of student financial aid was abruptly postponed ahead of its first public hearing on Tuesday amid growing opposition from student groups. The proposal, sponsored by Sen. Dennis Baxley, is a massive rewrite of the Bright Futures program that currently benefits roughly 112,000 Florida students. It would take away scholarship funds for any credits that students earned through Advanced Placement and related programs they took in high school — something the state has encouraged them to do over several years. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Central Florida tourism industry showing signs of bouncing back from pandemic
The latest tourist development tax money numbers show the first decline in collections since the tourism industry hit rock bottom in April. January numbers, just released Monday, were also the lowest for the month of January in nearly 20 years. But despite the low numbers, there is optimism moving forward. In February, hotel occupancy reached 50%, which was much better than expected. And, we just came off the busiest convention weekend since the pandemic started, with four different events. [Source: WFTV]
Florida manatee deaths surge past 400 in first two months of 2021
Florida manatees are dying at an alarming rate in the first two months of 2021, more than tripling the normal amount of fatalities seen during the same period over the last five years. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has posted in its preliminary manatee mortality statistics that from Jan. 1-Feb. 26, the state has recorded 403 manatee deaths, the majority of which have not had a necropsy to determine cause of death. Brevard County by far leads the way with 186 of those deaths. The five-year average for the same time period is 129 manatee deaths. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Uncharted Territory: Vaccines and the Workplace of 2021
As delivery of the Covid-19 vaccine moves beyond healthcare workers and senior citizens to the general public, some employers wonder if employees can be required — or decline — to receive the vaccine. This is uncharted territory. However, based on guidance from the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, in certain circumstances employers can mandate employees receive the vaccine in order to provide for a safe workplace. [Sponsored Report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› 'Socially Distanced Supper Club' still helping South Florida restaurants
A Facebook group was created last year to help support South Florida restaurants during the COVID-19 shutdowns. One year later, creator John Brewer said the group is still helping. Brewer said he created the "Socially Distanced Supper Club" in Delray Beach one week after St. Patrick's Day. He said they started with a "flash mob" mentality to help plan a day when people would go order to-go at a certain restaurant.
› Disney World sells out as spring breakers plan Florida vacations
Walt Disney World in Orlando has completely sold out of tickets to all four theme parks next week as Spring Break begins for much of the country. According to Disney’s reservation system, tickets are unavailable from Saturday, March 13 through Friday, March 19. The reservation system was created when Disney reopened last year to manage guest capacity during the pandemic.
› Sarasota County considers making it harder for residents to help shape development
A community older than the county itself came before Sarasota County commissioners last September and unsuccessfully pressed them to slow down development to preserve a culture and history that residents said would otherwise be lost. This proposal by the Miakka Community Club was unique and marked the first time residents had attempted their own take on revising the county’s official roadmap for growth. Typically, developers petition the county to make land-use changes.
› This new-to-Miami company just got investments from the founders of reddit, SalesForce and Dell
What do the founders of reddit, SalesForce and Michael Dell all have in common? Each just invested in Pipe, a new-to-Miami company that hopes to change the way recurring payments are bought and sold. Tuesday, Pipe announced it had raised $50 million from an all-star investor lineup that includes reddit’s Alexis Ohanian, SalesForce’s Marc Benioff, and Michael Dell’s MSD Capital.
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› St. Petersburg’s State Theatre is back as Floridian Social Club
A major art deco overhaul has transformed the old State Theatre into the Floridian Social Club, and the historic venue is once again hosting concerts in downtown St. Petersburg. The nearly century-old movie house on the 600 block of Central Avenue was dark for more than two years after a fire marshal’s crackdown led to the closing, sale and long-running refurbishment of the venue.
› JEA could sell 16 acres for FedEx improvements at Cecil Commerce Center
The JEA board of directors will consider selling 16 acres at Cecil Commerce Center for SunCap Property Group LLC’s estimated $10 million investment in the site’s FedEx distribution center. According to documents in the board’s Jan. 27 meeting packet, the board also could consider nearly $11 million in property purchases to expand its electric system infrastructure in southeast Jacksonville and support a new wastewater treatment plant north of Jacksonville International Airport.
› Architectural institutions to merge, new entity names executive director
Sarasota Architectural Foundation and Center for Architecture Sarasota will join forces as a single entity to be called “Architecture Sarasota.” The organization will be led by Anne-Marie Russell as executive director. Sarasota Architectural Foundation is a nonprofit that educates, advocates and celebrates the Sarasota School of Architecture’s contributions to midcentury American architecture, according to a statement.
› Art13 festival returns to Fort Lauderdale’s NE 13th Street this weekend
Art13 is stepping out on its own for its second year. The inaugural four-day festival was a part of the 13th Street Craft Beer & Wine Festival around this time last year (just before Covid-19 shut everything down). This sophomore effort Art13 will be a standalone event.