Hundreds of thousands of doses of COVID-19 vaccine that were destined for Florida have been delayed due to the severe winter storm gripping the middle of the nation from Texas to the Canadian border.
Polk County canceled giving 12,000 shots as a result, and Publix stopped taking appointments as it launched its service as a vaccine provider. The grocer said those who already schedules appointments will be able to receive a shot.
While Florida enjoyed temperatures in the 70s in parts of the Sunshine State, the winter storm elsewhere left millions without power as an overwhelmed power grid could not keep up. Texas was especially hit hard.
Mental health challenges for African-Americans exacerbated in Black History Month
The celebration of African-American life in Black History Month is tempered by the memory of the abuse and violence that has marked the Black experience in this country, experts say.
“You’re going to experience anger, frustration, anxiety, depression, mistrust,” said Phekila Johnson, a licensed mental health counselor with Brown Sugar Wellness in Tampa. “You’re going to feel all of that validated. But don’t stay stuck in those feelings. You have to sit up here and you have to find a good support network, a support system.”
The effect is amplified by the fact that Blacks already are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, according to a Kaiser Foundation study. Black men have a mental illness rate 20 times higher than average. Blacks of all ages are significantly higher at risk to be exposed to violence, which can result in mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.
And Kaiser Health reports that Blacks are being vaccinated at significantly lower rates than whites.
“The fact is we know racism exists,” Johnson said. “We know that that is a fact, but continuing to watch it on the news, it may take a big toll and it may increase stress for you.”
Johnson said people who are suffering should receive therapy to help. But unfortunately, studies show, 63% of the Black population feels that getting such treatment is a sign of personal weakness.
“We are a culture full of so much greatness,” she said. “But we also, as a culture that is struggling, we’re damaged, we’re broken and we need a lot of healing. So, in order for us to continue to be great, we have to work on healing.”
New public-art installation lights up Tampa as Super Bowl limelight departs
A new public art installation is shining beneath the Tampa Convention Center.
The Circles Unity installation lights the street that passes through the center. The artist says the concept brings a kind of unification to the tunnel.
“I just called it Circles Unity because those circles by chance almost represent this idea that they are distinct parts that work together,” said Erwin Redl, installation artist and creator of Circles Unity. “All of those circles also form unity within that tunnel.”
The route takes you around the perimeter of the Tampa Convention Center to the Riverwalk where you’ll be able to interact and manipulate the lights at “BioBridge”, under the Harbour Island Bridge. To complete the circle, head back north on the Riverwalk and through the tunnel. If that’s enough of a trek for you, but would like to see more, consider hopping on the Pirate Water Taxi to see the beautiful city from the Water.
City of Tampa Lights on Tampa website
“The tunnel doesn’t have to be this kind of like horrible environment where it’s just noisy, smelly and bad lighting,” Redl said. “It also can be just something else, and that is what I tried to do.”
For more information, visit the city lights art website.
Credits
Anchor: Deanna Lampasona
Reporters: Ta’Bria Snowden, Zack Brown, Emma Oliver
Producer: Niamh Larkin
Writer: Julio Martinez
Graphics editor: Rema Alahmad, Trevor Wymer
Video Editors: Julio Martinez
Show Editor: Zheming Zhang
Web Editor: Florida Focus Staff
Associate Producer: Emma Oliver
Executive Producer: Brad Haft
Graduate Assistant: Emmanuel Maduneme
Faculty Adviser: Jeanette Abrahamsen, Wayne Garcia
