The B117 coronavirus variant is said to be more deadly and is spreading in Florida.
The United Kingdom released concerning news about the new variant in a report dated January 21. It found the strain is more contagious than the virus that hit the U.S. around a year ago and may be 70 percent more deadly as well.
Cases of B117 have been reported in Florida, which is now the epicenter in this country of this new variant. According to the University of Minnesota,
“the clustering of cases suggests that the virus first traveled between Florida and Georgia, Florida and Minnesota, Florida and Michigan, and among Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.”
The Centers for Disease Control is also preoccupied by this new variant.
“The increased transmissibility of the B.1.1.7 variant warrants universal and increased compliance with mitigation strategies, including distancing and masking,” the CDC said in late January.
The CDC is continuing to urge people to wear masks to prevent the spread of the virus.
Fast-food workers challenge new state bill limiting $15 an hour
Fast-food employees on Tuesday protested a new bill that would reverse the minimum wage increase.
The protests occurred all across the country as workers nationwide pushed for federal minimum wage of $15 an hour. Florida voters approved the $15 minimum wage back in November.
However, activists in St. Petersburg have other reasons to fight. State Senator Jeff Brandes is trying to remove rights from workers whom he calls “hard to hire,” which could apply more to the Black and Hispanic communities. Thousands of workers would not see their wages increase if his legislation is approved.
The Economic Policy Institute released an article showing that Black and Hispanic workers are far more likely to be in low-wage jobs. They have been particularly hit by the pandemic, and not having a raise in their wages would be another blow.
Pasco County fair opens with exceptional rules for COVID-19
This year is the 74th edition of the Pasco County Fair, which will last until Sunday. This year will be more special than any other due to the context of the pandemic.
The Fair will place new rules to keep everybody safe. Those include the obligation to wear masks in all buildings on the grounds and to respect social distancing.
In order to respect those rules and to keep everyone safe, social distancing signs will be placed to help people evaluate what safe distances are. There will also be many hand-sanitizing stations throughout the park.
For more information regarding the event and on safety guidelines, you can visit the Fair’s website.
Credits
Anchor: Demi Asensio
Reporters: James Birmingham, Hannah Halili
Producer: Payton Kirol
Writers: Chloe Benjamin, Genny Flood, Courtney Patterson
Graphics editor: Sean Stover, Carla Ibanez
Video Editors: Chloe Benjamin, Genny Flood, Courtney Patterson
Show Editor: David Rose
Associate Producer: Gabe Castro, Carla Ibanez
Executive Producer: Niamh Larkin
Web Editor: Florian Philippe
Graduate Assistant: Emmanuel Maduneme
Faculty Adviser: Jeanette Abrahamsen, Wayne Garcia
