I-4 Construction to Accelerate
On Saturday, Governor DeSantis and Department of Transportation Secretary Thibault announced that construction on I-4 will be accelerated by 1-2 months. The $2.3 billion 21-mile project is over 250 days behind schedule, but is expected to be completed in late 2021. As a result of this, expect additional lane closures on I-4. This is one of several road construction projects that DeSantis has accelerated amidst reduced road traffic due to the statewide safer-at-home order.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office: Daily Donations to Local Nonprofits for 30 Days
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office will donate $1,000 to a local nonprofit every day for the next 30 days. Every day, the nonprofit that will receive the funds will be announced on the Sheriff’s Office’s social media accounts at 10am. The goal for this effort is to help these organizations stay open and continue to provide critical services for the county.
Tuesdays: Public Media Facebook Live ‘The State We’re In’
WUSF and WMFE are hosting Facebook Live segments at noon every Tuesday called ‘The State We’re In’ to discuss how the pandemic is reshaping people and communities along the I-4 corridor. Submit questions to this Tuesday’s featured speaker, Dean of the USF College of Public Health Donna Peterson, here.
USFDA to Decontaminate Millions N95 Respirators
An emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will enable millions of N95 respirators to be reused by healthcare workers. The F.D.A. estimates that around 4 million of the respirators could be decontaminated every day.
OPEC+ Trying to Boost Oil Prices
OPEC and other oil producers will cut production by almost 10 million barrels, a tenth of global supply. 23 countries met via video conference yesterday, finding an agreement after discussions were left unresolved in March. Oil producing countries are trying to boost prices after the “historic drop in demand” brought by the coronavirus pandemic.
Updates on Driving and Travel Restrictions
Driving and travel restrictions continue around the country. For updates, visit: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/10/travel/coronavirus-us-travel-driving-restrictions.html.
Updated Numbers
There are now 19,895 cases throughout the state of Florida and 461 deaths. In Duval County, there are 668 cases and 13 deaths. In Hillsborough County, there are 759 cases and 16 deaths. In Orange County, there are 949 cases and 13 deaths. In Pasco County, there are 160 cases and 3 deaths. In Pinellas County, there are 455 cases and 13 deaths. In Polk County, there are 254 cases and 8 deaths. For updated data, visit: https://fdoh.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/8d0de33f260d444c852a615dc7837c86.
Resources
WHO: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Florida Department of Health: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: https://www.uschamber.com/coronavirus
Florida Chamber of Commerce: https://www.flchamber.com/follow-facts-not-fear/
Tampa Chamber of Commerce: https://www.tampabaychamber.com/Your-Chamber/Newsroom/coronavirus-updates.aspx
Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce: https://jaxchamber.com/coronavirusbusinessresources/
Lakeland Chamber of Commerce: https://www.lakelandchamber.com/covid-19-resources/
