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The Point, Dec. 2, 2020: What Floridians Should Know About A 'Twindemic'

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Today's top Florida stories

• WUFT News: CDC Data Show Florida Ranked The Lowest In Flu Vaccination Rate Among All 50 States. "The ranking was based on a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that gathers data on flu vaccination rates across the country. AdvisorSmith, a company that aims to aid and inform small business owners, examined the CDC’s findings over the past three years to ascertain the states with the highest and lowest rates of vaccinations. ... Low vaccination rates in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic have added a newfound urgency to flu season. Experts predict a 'twindemic,' or a simultaneous spread of both respiratory illnesses..."

• WUSF: Florida Tops 1 Million Coronavirus Cases As Testing Demand Grows. "Florida passed a bitter milestone Tuesday, as more than 1 million people have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, according to the Florida Department of Health. This tally comes amid longer waiting times for testing after the Thanksgiving holiday."

• WFSU: Longtime Political Scientist Susan MacManus Talks 2020 Lessons For Political Parties At Tiger Bay Forum. "Much has been made of Republicans’ domination in Florida’s 2020 elections. One advantage the party had on its side, according to MacManus, was getting in front of voters – not on a computer screen. The longtime political scientist, who says she’s affiliated with neither party, says that’s a point where Democrats dropped the ball."

• Palm Beach Post ($): Last of four women charged in alleged prostitution at Jupiter day spa takes plea. "The plea comes two months after charges were dropped against New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and others who were accused of soliciting sex from the Jupiter day spa."

• Tallahassee Democrat ($): FSU extending remote instruction into spring semester so students, staff can be tested. "'This additional week of remote classes will give the university more time to test members of the campus community for COVID-19 as they return and reduce the potential for community spread of the virus,' (Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Sally) McRorie said. 'With rising cases across the nation, we’ve made this decision out of an abundance of caution and believe the extra week of remote classes will allow FSU to begin the spring semester in the safest possible manner.'"

• Miami Herald ($): ‘I can’t afford it’: 30,000 people are behind on FPL bills as power shutoffs resume. "At this time last year, only about 6,000 people were that far behind. Another 40,000 people are two to three months behind."

•  Gainesville Sun ($): Alachua County residents come together to mark stranger's life. "In a Nov. 6 Facebook post, Oregon resident Malinda Encinas shared a photo of her late son, Anthony Uribes, along with a request to place flowers at the scene of the 29-year-old’s Dec. 26, 2019, death from a fall at the 441 overpass in Alachua. The post quickly accumulated over 300 comments and over 725 likes from Alachua County community members volunteering to donate flowers and offering support. Because of the threat of COVID-19, Uribes’ Oregon-based family was unable to travel to Florida themselves, so the Alachua County community stood in their place."

• New York Times ($): In Miami Beach, the Art Scene Has Moved Outdoors. "Jillian Mayer, a Miami sculptor, filmmaker and performance artist, looks forward to early December when Art Basel Miami Beach usually fills the streets with tens of thousands of art lovers from around the world. ... But with Art Basel going online this year because of the pandemic, there will be no big parties."


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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.

Contact WUFT News by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news @wuft.org