While the exact threshold for herd immunity from Covid is still unknown, most experts put it around 60% or higher. If that’s the target, then we’re a long way from it. According to data gathered from multiple public health agencies and reported in theNew York Times, some of the hardest-hit cities across the globe have yet to come close. Data from the state of New York suggest that not quite 20% of residents in New York City have been exposed to the virus as of early May. London runs a close second with 17.5% of the population having antibodies. A study done by a hospital in the city of Wuhan found that only 10% of people headed back to work had been infected by the virus.
2. To vaccinate or not to vaccinate.
Turns out, that is the question. According to a recentAssociated Press poll, only about half of Americans would chose to get Covid-19 vaccinated based on the information they have today. That’s a pretty shocking number considering herd immunity to this bug is, in fact, our societal goal.Another 31% of respondentssaid they weren’t sure either way and among those who said they wouldn’t get vaccinated, 7 out of 10 said they’d hold off due to safety concerns. It appears that even if a vaccine breakthrough is achieved in the coming months or within a year, medical and pharmaceutical professionals still have a lot of work ahead of them convincing the public a quickly available vaccine can be a safe vaccine as well.
3. A plan for your plans.
Florida’s State University System governing board approved a Blueprint for Reopening Campuses for fall 2020 this afternoon, outlining the issues all campuses should consider for before inviting students and faculty back. Members of the Board of Governor’s emphasized each university will need to craft individualized plans tailored to their unique footprints, course offerings and populations. The blueprint calls for university leaders to address roles and responsibilities for creating a healthy and safe environment for faculty, staff and students and acknowledges that, in some instances, the preferences of these different populations may be at odds. That’s why Board members also emphasized the need for each institution to include extremely clear and consistent communication regarding their individual reopening plans. Institutions are also being encouraged to cooperate fully with surrounding healthcare providers and adhere to guidelines not only from the CDC, but from state and local leaders as well. The blueprint asks institutions to account for frequent campus-wide cleaning, testing and contact tracing and recognizes that a combination of teaching platforms—in person, online or a hybrid—may be necessary to ensure each student is being sufficiently supported. With the blueprint adopted, the next opportunity for discussion of university-specific efforts will take place on June 23 at UCF.
4. Tweeting about twitter... we're so meta.
President Trump signed an executive order Thursday aimed at tech companies like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube and the law that provides them broad legal immunity over content posted by their users. “We’re fed up with it,” Trump said in the Oval Office before signing the order,according to theLos Angeles Times. The battle started when Twitter put fact check labels on two of President Trump’s tweets about mail-in ballots this week, which when opened, led users to a page describing Trump’s claims as “unsubstantiated.” Although an official order hasn’t been released,a draft circulated earlier on (guess where?) Twitter removes statutory liability protections afforded under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and cuts federal funding for tech companies that engage in censorship and political conduct. Trump supporters like Representative Josh Hawley immediately defended the President stating“If @Twitter wants to editorialize & comment on users’ posts, it should be divested of its special status under federal law (Section 230) & forced to play by same rules as all other publishers.”On the other side of the aisle House Speaker Nancy Pelosi weighed in stating, “The proliferation of disinformation is extremely dangerous, particularly as our nation faces the deadliest pandemic in history.” The twitterverse will, no doubt, be buzzing for days regarding the implications of the order and the likelihood ofa court challenge to follow. Buckle up!
5. Hong Kong's Swan Song.
As most of the world’s attention remains focused on the Covid-19 pandemic, China has wasted no time in asserting new authority over its semiautonomous city. This week, the Communist nation’s rubberstamp legislature officially approved a draft plan that enables security forces in Hong Kong to crack down on pretty much anything Chinese leaders deem a threat to their national security. The legislation is widely seen as a further erosion of the “one country, two systems” governing principle put in place after Britain returned Hong Kong to China in 1997. In response, the Trump Administration has threatened to revoke Hong Kong’s special trade and economic privileges with the United States, a move that could cause serious repercussions including subjecting Hong Kong to the same tariffs and export controls Washington has placed on mainland China. The global public health situation has led to significant consolidations of executive power in other countries, including Hungary and the Philippines, and just goes to show some world leaders will never let a serious crisis go to waste.
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BBC NEWS: Coronavirus: France to Reopen Cafes, Bars and Restaurants
LeMoyne’s Chain of Parks Festival Canceled for 2020 After All Read more here →
Tampa Bay
TECO to Cut Bills in June Due to Coronavirus Pandemic Read more here →
Jacksonville
City Hall to Pay $9 Million to Struggling Jacksonville Small Businesses Read more here →
Miami
Some of Miami-Dade’s Favorite Bars are Reopening – But Don’t Expect Business As Usual Read more here →
Orlando
Disney Wants to Reopen Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom July 11. SeaWorld Plans Public Reopening June 11. Expect to Wear Face Masks. Read more here →
Florida Keys
Key West Art Board Offers Artists $1,500 for Loaned Artwork Read more here →
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Learn if You May Be Eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistancecontinue →
Business Damage Assessment Survey – Communicate Your Impacts of COVID-19continue →
Application Window Extended for Florida Disaster Grant Fund (Hurricanes Irma & Michael)continue →
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