FAC News Clips - March 27, 2020 -
The Palm Beach Post
Coronavirus Florida: County announces more closures — is it enough?
As county officials announced closures of golf courses and parks Wednesday, they stopped short of ordering residents to stay home, a mistake in the view of at least one county commissioner. While County Administrator Verdenia Baker “strongly, strongly” encouraged residents to stay at home telling them: “Do not come out unless you are on a critical mission,” the order doesn’t say people can’t leave their homes. “We should behave in a manner in which we think the person we’re talking to, the person we’re standing next to, already has COVID-19,” Baker said.
Politico Pro
Coronavirus stimulus would send $8.2B to Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Florida would land $8.2 billion to help fight the coronavirus under the $2 trillion stimulus package passed by the Senate late Wednesday. The massive proposal, which includes $45.4 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and relief for small business, airlines and cruise lines, is widely expected to pass Friday in the House, sending critical aid to hard-hit people and industries in the Sunshine State.
Click Orlando
Orange County health officials make own COVID-19 test kits
ORLANDO, Fla. – As the number of coronavirus cases increase in Orange County, the health department has announced it will begin making its own test kits. Dr. Raul Pino, the administrator at Orange County’s Department of Health, made the announcement Thursday. Pino said the department will open a shop Friday and begin working on assembling the kits. He said Orange County has enough supplies to assemble 200 kits and should have enough for an additional 200 as early as next week.
Click Orlando
Here are the Central Florida counties that have activated coronavirus hotlines
ORLANDO, Fla. – With an influx of potential patients heading to medical centers and hospitals for fear of being infected with the coronavirus, Central Florida county health departments are increasing awareness about COVID-19 with dedicated call centers and hotline numbers. As of Wednesday morning, Florida had nearly 1,700 cases of coronavirus, the state health department reported 22 deaths. Orange County had the most number of cases in Central Florida, reporting 77 patients. According to the health department’s database, Orange County also has the fifth-highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the state.
Florida Today
County Commission suspends some business fees until Sept. 1 to help during coronavirus
The Brevard County Commission this week approved a measure designed to help small businesses get through a financial downturn related to the coronavirus pandemic. Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a proposal to suspend the need for businesses to pay three types of fees to the county until Sept. 1, and waived related late-payment fees. Affected are fees for business tax receipts, which, in effect, are business permits to operate in the county; fire inspection fees; and fees for permits to do certain types of repair work, such as for air-conditioner repairs.
WOKV
More than 533,000 people worldwide -- including nearly 86,000 people in the United States – have been infected with the new coronavirus, and the number of deaths from the outbreak continues to rise. Officials are attempting to contain the COVID-19 outbreak in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia as schools, businesses and public events are closed or canceled. March 27, 7 a.m.: Nassau County leaders are taking steps to keep out visitors who could spread the coronavirus to local Florida families by proposing restrictions for travelers who are driving from three states.
Federal News
Florida Politics
Washington set to deliver $2.2 trillion virus rescue bill
With rare bipartisanship and speed, Washington is about to deliver massive, unprecedented legislation to speed help to people and businesses as the coronavirus pandemic takes a devastating toll on the U.S. economy and health care system. The House is set to pass the sprawling $2.2 trillion measure on Friday morning after an extraordinary 96-0 Senate vote late Wednesday. President Donald Trump marveled at the unanimity Thursday and is eager to sign the package into law.
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