Coronavirus

The Florida Department of Health announced Thursday that it is sending $138 million in federal pandemic funds to county health departments to hire epidemiologists, nurses and contact tracers.

Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran on Monday ordered public schools to reopen in August and offer “the full panoply of services” to students and families.

As of Monday, eight inmates tested positive for coronavirus.

Episode 40 explores if the state is moving backward in its fight against the coronavirus. Gabriella Paul speaks with an epidemiologist to find out if all the state's COVID-19 data is what it's cracked up to be (01:46). Camron Lunn talks with Floridians in their twenties about being something they never thought that they would be during this pandemic...at risk (08:11). Josh Williams is quarantined in South Florida, staying with immediate family after half-a-dozen extended family members tested positive following a Father's Day lunch. He explains what it's like when the virus hits home (12:34). Melissa Feito looks at cities and counties in Florida that are mandating facial coverings in public places and why wearing one is a good idea (18:12). The 4th of July will look a little different for some Floridians this year as some counties have closed their beaches to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Anthony Montalto checks in from South Florida (23:19). And with the surge in cases and stricter regulations from cities and counties, local restaurants and bars are finding it more difficult to operate. Taylor Levesque spoke to local business owners who say they are struggling (27:47). This podcast serves to provide updates on Florida's response to coronavirus, with a particular focus on north central Florida.

State laws, including in Florida and neighboring states, are a patchwork of regulations that tend to land on the side of corporate secrecy, more often than not.

Florida suspends consumption of alcohol at bars as the state's daily coronavirus count reaches nearly 9,000 — smashing the earlier record set on Wednesday of 5,000.