Page 14 - Florida Sentinel 6-12-20

Local
EPG Told Virus Numbers In County Going Up
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
The Emergency Group (EPG) was told on Thursday (June 4th) that the Coronavirus number of positives for COVID-19 in Hillsborough County has gone up.
Florida is one of the states around the coutnry that has shown a rise in numbers since states started reopening.
EPG Chairman, Les Miller, said the County saw its largest increase in positive cases on June 3rd, with more than 100. Dr. Douglas Holt of Hillsborough County’s Florida Health Dept., said that increase was the largest one- day total seen since mid-April.
Miller said the numbers had been increasing over the 14 days prior to June 4th. “There are more tests being taken and that may be the rea-
CHAIRMAN LES MILLER
son for the uptick in numbers.” He is pleased, however, that more people are being tested.
“With things opening up, the large crowds out on Me- morial Day weekend, very few wearing masks and no social distancing; and now the civil unrest with thousands on the streets and many not wearing masks. We can’t say what’s
causing the numbers to go up.” In addition to the civil un- rest, Miller said that many in- dividuals are still hosting large parties with no social distanc- ing nor masks. “I am very con-
cerned,” he said.
If the numbers continue to
climb, he said the County will have to take some other meas- ures. “We wanted to know when does it trigger that the county will have to put in more stringent rules.”
Miller wanted to draft an Executive Order for wearing masks, but it did not pass. Many of the Group members felt that that would be infring- ing on the privacy rights of in- dividuals. Kimberly Overman, Mayor Jane Castor and Chairman Miller voted in favor of the order. He is encouraging indi- viduals to take it upon them- selves to wear masks.
HART Launches National Search For CEO
In its meeting Monday, (June 1st), the board of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) voted to launch a national search for its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Currently, Atty. Carolyn House Stewart serves as the In- terim CEO, replacing Ben Limmer who was terminated earlier this year.
Board Chair, Les Miller, wanted Atty. Stewart to have the permanent position. He cited the work she has done in the past months since she has been interim. Other Board members agreed with the job she has done, but felt that a national search for the po- sition should be done. The position pays $210,000.
After a vote, the Board voted 10-1 to launch the national search. Miller was the lone vote against the national search.
Small Businesses Impacted By Civil Unrest On May 29th May Apply For Grant Program
Community-based small businesses are the backbone of the community. Hillsborough County’s Rebuild Community-Based Businesses Grant Program will provide immediate relief to com- munity-based, small businesses impacted by civil unrest during the weekend of May 29, 2020.
Selected qualified applicants will be able to receive reimburse- ment grants of up to $50,000 to repair, restock, and reopen busi- nesses.
The grants are intended to retain existing businesses and jobs, encourage investment by the private sector, stabilize the areas im- pacted by the civil unrest, and eliminate and prevent the spread of blight and deterioration.
USF Adjusts Academic Calendar In Response To COVID-19
Classes and final exams after Thanksgiving will shift online
The University of South Florida Wednesday an- nounced changes to its Fall 2020 academic calendar that prioritize the health of stu- dents, faculty and staff and mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19.
USF intends to offer some face-to-face classes, services and activities in the fall, how- ever, after Thanksgiving all classes and final exams will be delivered in a quality online format. A full array of support services, such as advising, tu- toring and counseling, will continue to be available to stu- dents remotely during this transition near the end of the fall semester.
The adjustments will re- duce the number of students, faculty and staff who would normally come back to USF campuses and the surrounding communities within the Tampa Bay region following Thanksgiving.
“The University of South Florida’s commitment since the beginning of the COVID-19 challenge has been to make de- cisions regarding university
operations that prioritize the health and safety of our com- munity members,” USF Presi- dent Steven Currall said. “These modifications are in- tended to avoid potentially thousands of students, faculty and staff from returning after holiday travel.”
Though classes won’t be held on Labor Day or Veterans Day, travel around each federal holiday will be discouraged.
Residence halls and dining options will remain open after Thanksgiving break for stu- dents who need access until the end of the fall semester.
USF’s fall commencement ceremonies are scheduled to begin on Dec. 11th, however plans are still being developed with considerations to the safety of traveling back to cam- pus and guidance from federal, state, and local government and public health officials re- garding resuming large events.
In June, USF will announce more details about the fall se- mester and plans to gradually resume more on-campus oper- ations.
Classes for the First Semes- ter begin on August 24th, and Thanksgiving holidays are No- vember 25-27. Classes online resume on November 30th.
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