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The top stories near you
• WUFT News: 51 Test Positive At Suwannee County Nursing Home. "During a noon press conference in Jacksonville, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the Department of Health has sent a 'strike team' to a nursing home in Suwannee County, where 51 people have tested positive for COVID-19, including 30 staff members, and more are awaiting test results."
• Gainesville Sun: Coronavirus Alachua County: Most cases in single day. "Alachua County added 14 confirmed coronavirus cases on Thursday — the most in a single day — and another five on Friday, yet continues to be the only county in Florida with more than 100 cases but no related deaths."
• WUFT News: Cars Flood Into Oaks Mall Lot For Food Giveaway. "Food was distributed in a drive-thru style... more than 1,400 households were supplied with enough produce, fruits, vegetables, protein and dairy products to last them up to two weeks."
• WUFT News: Children’s Trust Of Alachua County Seeking Ways To Help During Coronavirus Outbreak. "The transition to online classes caused problems for those who lack resources like computers or WiFi, Superintendent of Alachua County Schools Karen Clarke said."
• The Alligator: UF to receive more than $30 million from Dept. of Education. "At a UF Board of Trustees meeting last month, UF revealed that it would lose about $33 million due to student refunds, canceled performances and university services due to its decision to continue remote learning through the Spring and Summer semesters."
• WUFT News: An Alachua County COVID-19 Portal Matches Volunteers With Those Needing Help. "Amid the chaos of COVID-19, Alachua County is looking for volunteers to help out with jobs ranging from delivering groceries to answering phone lines for people with questions."
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Around the state today
• Miami Herald: Coronavirus could create ‘compound disaster’ in Florida as hurricane season looms. "It’s unclear how long the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak — which has killed more than 370 people in the state — will remain a problem in Florida, or how long social distancing measures will need to take place. Health experts have warned that even if it tails off, the coronavirus could see a resurgence in the fall, when storms tend to form in the Caribbean."
• WLRN: Florida Doctors Cautiously Using Hydroxychloroquine to Fight Coronavirus. "Plaquenil is the brand name for hydroxychloroquine. It is an FDA-approved treatment for lupus and malaria. Hospitals across the state are using the medicine for their sickest coronavirus patients, despite some potentially severe side effects."
• Politico: Fauci: Kids could get ‘infected’ if Florida reopens schools. "Fauci was also asked about DeSantis’ comment Thursday that no one under 25 had died from the coronavirus, a statement that got the governor national headlines because it is false."
• WFSU: Florida Is In A ‘Moderate’ Drought. Rain Next Week Should Bring Some Relief. "So far, more than 80 percent of the state is experiencing a moderate drought — a jump from last week's 65 percent — according to the U.S. Drought Monitor."
• Fort Myers News-Press: Fact check: Are Florida's borders closed to out-of-state visitors? No, but expect delays. "To drive south into Florida, you have to come in through Alabama or Georgia. And despite what was posted on Facebook, both borders are open."
• Miami Herald: ‘Parks don’t kill people’: Stuck at home, residents plead for green spaces to reopen. "Green sanctuaries and trusted routes still provide a mental and physical release, and neighborhoods have come alive with walkers, cyclists, yard games, DIY beaches, scavenger hunts, coronavirus 'victory gardens' and lawn-chair happy hours. But as parks are closed in an effort to suppress the ultra-contagious virus, people are being shunted into narrower spaces and trying to unwind while avoiding the panting jogger crossing their path."
From NPR News
• Health: U.S. Surgeon General: People Of Color 'Socially Predisposed' To Coronavirus Exposure
• Health: Apple And Google Build Smartphone Tool To Track COVID-19
• Health: Coronavirus FAQs: Do Gloves HeIp? Is It Allergies Or COVID-19?
• National: Americans Returning To U.S. Say They're Surprised By Lack Of Stringent Health Checks
• National: Internal Emails Show VA Hospitals Are Rationing Protective Gear
• Science: The New Coronavirus Appears To Take A Greater Toll On Men Than On Women
• Science: Why There Are So Many Different Guidelines For Face Masks For The Public
About today's curator
I'm Ethan Magoc, a news editor at WUFT. Originally from Pennsylvania, I've found a home telling Florida stories. I’m part of a team searching each morning for local and state stories that are important to you; please send feedback about today's edition or ideas for stories we may have missed to emagoc@wuft.org.