Gov. DeSantis adamant against lockdowns as fears emerge over potential omicron variant in U.S.

A new COVID-19 variant called omicron that emerged in South Africa has some state officials already bracing for potential cases if the variant of concern is detected in the United States.

But Gov. Ron DeSantis is adamant: Lockdowns are “not going to happen in the state of Florida, you can take that to the bank.”

The governor also stressed at an afternoon press conference that shutdowns don’t work and that “you can’t cripple your society for fear of a variant where we don’t have any meaningful data on.”

“We are not going to allow here in Florida any media driven hysteria to do anything to infringe people’s individual freedoms when it comes to any type of COVID variants,” DeSantis said. He said that “when I saw (Anthony) Fauci on TV yesterday saying that he couldn’t rule out lockdowns…let me just say in Florida, we will not let them lock you down.”

So far, Florida hasn’t announced any plans to prepare for a threat of the COVID-19 mutation if cases arise in the state. In fact, DeSantis didn’t appear to mention such plans at all when he spoke to the reporters Monday.

That said, Democrats in the Florida House are saying that Florida should prepare for a potential threat.

“We don’t know enough about this variant yet. I understand why people are very concerned, rightfully so because some of the transmission data is terrifying,” state Rep. Evan Jenne, a Democrat representing part of Broward County, said in a phone conversation with the Florida Phoenix.

“We don’t know if the severity is worst yet,” said Jenne, who is the House Democratic Co-Leader.

Jenne added that state officials should address the threats from variants.

“How long do we keep dodging variants? The longer we let COVID go on and on, it gives more room for more variants to crop up and spread here in Florida but throughout the entire world…we need leaders who are going to be able to step out there, and medical leaders that are going to be able to  step out there and really save people.  This is serious,” he said.

Recently, the World Health Organization classified the B.1.1.529, known as the omicron variant, as a variant of concern on Nov. 26, according to a statement on its website. The agency said in a statement on Friday that the omicron variant is concerning because “preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other VOCs [variants of concern].”

Cases of the variant have been increasing throughout South Africa, the WHO added.

So far, the United States hasn’t reported any cases as of Monday afternoon, but federal officials are saying that the omicron variant is expected to eventually emerge in the country. On Monday, President Joe Biden said, “Sooner or later we’re going to see cases of this new variant here in the United States,” as reported by CNN.

“We’ll have to face this new threat just as we face those who have come before it,” Biden added, according to a CNN report. That report also mentioned travel restrictions went into effect Monday that restricts travel from several countries in Southern Africa to offer more time for the country to respond.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday declared a state of emergency due to potential threats from the omicron variant, according to her Twitter account. The governor sent a series of tweets to warn residents about the variant and announced that she’d signed an executive order to allow officials “to acquire critical supplies more quickly to combat the pandemic.”

“We continue to see warning signs of spikes in COVID this winter, and while the new omicron variant has yet to be detected in New York State, it’s coming,” Hochul said in a Tweet on Friday. “Today I signed an Executive Order to help @HealthNYGov boost hospital capacity ahead of potential spikes.”

Two cases of the omicron variant have been detected in Canada and cases continue to emerge around the world, the Washington Post reported. Infections have been found in countries such as Australia, Israel and Britain, according to the Washington Post.

Meanwhile, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a written statement on Friday that “we expect omicron to be identified quickly, if it emerges in the U.S.”

“No cases of this variant have been identified in the U.S. to date,” the CDC said. “We are grateful to the South African government and its scientists who have openly communicated with the global scientific community and continue to share information about this variant with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and CDC.”

DeSantis said Monday afternoon that measures used to halt COVID-19 didn’t stop the virus.

“The lockdowns didn’t stop COVID. Forced masking they said last year would end the pandemic if 80 percent wore masks, many more than that were wearing masks and it hasn’t worked. They said you could get COVID off of surfaces, which isn’t true. They have not been honest about the origins of the virus.”

As to travel restrictions now in place globally over omicron, DeSantis said:

“With these travel restrictions, I was probably the first governor in January of 2020 to call for travel restrictions from China, I supported President Trump when he did that. But we have to take a step back and acknowledge that those travel restrictions just didn’t work. The virus had already spread so whatever this variant is, the fact that you identify some in Southern Africa, that does not mean that it’s not in any corner of the globe….I think those restrictions are not going to work.”

Although health experts are still studying the variant, “omicron seems likely to be more contagious than Delta, including among vaccinated people,” according to The New York Times report.

DeSantis said: “The South African doctor who identified it, you know, she said this has been very mild. So why would you be doing knee-jerk reactions?

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Letter from Catherine the Great shows her support for vaccinations

When smallpox ravaged communities in the 18th century, Catherine the Great was one of the first people in Russia to adopt a precursor to vaccines.

Catherine’s support for an early form of vaccination is recorded in a letter due to be auctioned in London on Wednesday. In it, she instructs a governor-general to ensure that a smallpox prevention method called variolation is readily available in his province.

According to a translation of the auction house’s letter, Catherine, like many world leaders, sought full protection from an infectious disease that was devastating her empire. “Such vaccinations should be common everywhere,” she wrote, “and it is all the more convenient now that almost all counties have doctors or medical personnel and it does not require a large expense.”

MacDougall’s, a London auction house specializing in Russian art, is auctioning the letter along with a portrait of Catherine by Dmitry Levitsky. In the portrait, the empress wears a small crown and a hermelin-trimmed cloak.

The items together are valued at between $ 1 million and $ 1.6 million, according to the auction house.

The auction house listing does not name the current owner of the objects, but says that they come from a private collection in Russia. The painting was previously exhibited in museums in St. Petersburg and Moscow, it is said.

Auction house director Catherine MacDougall said the auction’s first announcement had led to more than 100 interview requests from news organizations in Russia, where there was keen interest in Catherine’s vaccination efforts.

The letter is dated April 20, 1787 and addressed to the Russian officer Piotr Alexandrovich Rumjanzew, known as Count Zadunaysky. Catherine wrote in the letter that one of Rumyantsev’s most important tasks “should be the introduction of a vaccination against smallpox, which, as we know, causes great harm, especially among ordinary people”.

Catherine and her son Pavel Petrovich were vaccinated almost two decades earlier, in 1768.

At the time, people were vaccinated with variolation, the practice of exposing people to the material of an infected pustule from a patient with smallpox. The process was used in India and China for hundreds of years before it was introduced in Europe. Enslaved people from Africa introduced treatment in the United States. It’s similar to vaccination, which uses a less harmful version of a virus, but is different from it.

Many people were suspicious of the practice, which sometimes resulted in deaths or outbreaks of a mild form of smallpox.

These concerns caused Catherine to show her support for it.

Lynne Hartnett, associate professor of history at Villanova University, said Catherine was terrified of smallpox, which infected her husband and killed the fiancée of one of her closest advisers.

She invited an English doctor, Thomas Dimsdale, to St. Petersburg to vaccinate her, her son, and members of her court. “She did it to show the Russian people that it is safe and can keep this disease at bay,” said Professor Hartnett.

Catherine provided Dimsdale with a carriage and shelter in case she died and he urgently needed a way out of Russia. Instead, she recovered from the vaccination and a public holiday was declared to celebrate the event.

Thereafter, Catherine wrote to her ambassador to Great Britain, Count Ivan Grigorievuch Chernyshev: “Starting with me and my recovering son, there is no noble house that does not have several vaccinated people and many regret that smallpox is inherent in them had. “and therefore cannot be fashionable.”

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Health officials are calling for these measures as a new variant of COVID emerges

“We watch our positivity rates; we are monitoring our hospital stays, ”said Mannepalli. “We’re watching very closely what is happening, not just here in Hall County but also in hospitals in the greater Atlanta area. … I really hope that we get our vaccination rates really high and that we follow these other preventive measures of masking, social distancing and hygiene so we don’t see further increases to the extent we have seen before. “

The Georgia Department of Health wrote in a press release on Monday, November 29th, that it was closely monitoring the emergence of the variant of Omicron, which was first discovered in southern Africa. According to a statement, the variant has not yet been detected in Georgia. Scientists are studying the variant to see how quickly and easily it spreads, whether it causes more severe diseases, and how well current COVID-19 vaccines protect against them, the statement said.

“What is known is that the COVID vaccination helps stop the transmission of infections, which prevents the emergence of new variants,” said Dr. Kathleen Toomey, Commissioner of the DPH. “With the advent of this new variant and the holidays at the doorstep, vaccination is more important than ever.”

Omicron was classified as a “questionable variant” by the World Health Organization on Friday, November 26th.

“We have to be cautiously optimistic,” said Mannepalli. “I hope it’s not there yet, but we’ll have to wait and see what we find from (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and (DPH) in the coming days.”

The omicron variant can be detected with PCR tests.

On Monday, the CDC updated its booster recommendations to say that all adults aged 18 and over should receive a booster vaccination six months after completing their first series of mRNA vaccines and two months after receiving the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Previously, the CDC had stated that people aged 18 and over can receive a booster vaccination after consulting their family doctor, and recommended vaccination only for certain population groups at higher risk for serious illnesses and those aged 65 and over.

People can also get another booster dose from their original series, which means someone who received Moderna for the first time could get a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

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Miami Police Break promise to reform ailing off-duty police system – NBC 6 South Florida

The Miami police know their off-duty employment program is ripe for abuse.

Audits have found it cannot keep track of all hours worked or money paid, and it puts public safety at risk as tired officials work more hours per day than allowed.

But despite repeated warnings and promises by the city to address the issues, the city has once again broken its promise to reform an operation that is channeling an estimated $ 1.5 million a month to officials who work on the side on special events and private security jobs.

Since 2016, the city’s audit office has twice uncovered how inadequate and incomprehensible the so-called “special employment program” is, and each time the city has vowed to make corrections not to do so later.

A January 2020 report by the city’s general auditor found that police had done nothing to fix four key findings from the 2016 audit.

In response, the city announced that the police “will use the services of an external administrator to handle the planning, collection and payment for additional tasks” and that the new system will be fully implemented by October 2020.

But resistance within the police force – including the Special Events Unit, which oversees off-duty employment that pays officers at least $ 50.50 an hour – thwarted those efforts this month.

A source involved in the acquisition described some of the arguments put forward by opponents within the police force as “absurd” to assert their power over the lucrative, sketchy system.

A call for proposals drew three valid bidders and in June 2021 a municipal procurement evaluation committee recommended the highest ranking and lowest price provider, RollKall Technologies.

But after a meeting in August to negotiate the contract resulted in a revised proposal, the forces inside the police department met and found that the cost-benefit ratio of the highest ranked vendor providing the lowest proposed price was not in the best interests of the city, ”reads a memo from the procurement department to the city manager received from NBC 6 investigators.

A public request for a copy of a “cost-benefit” analysis or other record showing why the police found this to be “not in the best interests of the city” has remained unanswered.

On November 11, City Manager Art Noriega agreed to the procurement department’s recommendation to decline all responses.

Former boss Jorge Colina, who ran the department when it promised to hire an outside manager in 2020, told NBC 6 that the decision was “disappointing” and “a missed opportunity” to correct a troubled system.

Including: The Special Events Department and the city don’t keep track of how much income officials are supposed to report on their taxes when they are paid – sometimes in cash – by companies.

In most cases, the ministry does not have any records showing exactly how much money or other social benefits civil servants receive from private employers.

It was also found that officials work more hours per day than the maximum 16 hours allowed for official and off-duty activities.

The auditors also found that officials were paid by the city for their official work for the same hours they got for off-duty work.

“It was an outrageous abuse that apparently deprived taxpayers of the services they pay for,” said Rodney Jacobs, deputy director of the CIP.

As of September 2020, officials have been paid $ 50.50 an hour for providing additional services, with employers paying an additional $ 4.50 an hour as an administrative fee directly to the city. (NCOs and other higher ranking officers are paid higher.)

The administration fees help fund the police budget and raise approximately $ 1.6 million annually from 2015 to 2018. The 2020 audit found that more than $ 103,000 in fees was overdue and there is a risk that the city will not collect other fees it should because its household unit does not get a list of all hours and jobs received from civil servants .

In its negotiations with RollKall in August, the city estimated the company would generate gross income of nearly $ 2.4 million a year based on the proposed 8.29% rate it billed companies, the additional Deploy officers. The city suggested to RollKall to cut the rate, especially for some jobs – like the Ultra Music Festival or Calle Ocho – where the special events department would still be needed for planning and coordination.

The company agreed to lower tariffs, according to the September negotiation minutes.

Two months later the project was dead.

But the city has not yet provided an explanation as to why – especially the cost-benefit analysis that the police used to convince procurement and the city manager to abandon reforms that would have resolved problems in the off-duty program.

In a statement to NBC 6, RollKall President Steven Power said it “respects the city of Miami’s decision to reassess its requirements” and “welcomes the opportunity to work with the city in the future.”

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Jingle Bell Run opens the 35th Tallahassee Winter Festival on December 4th

The 35th Annual Winter Festival – a festival of lights, music and the arts – will cheer downtown Tallahassee on Saturday, December 4th, from 3pm to 10pm.

Holiday show:Art Deco the Halls: LeMoyne Arts is presenting for the 58th Annual Christmas Exhibition and Sale

Ballet:Capital City Festival Ballet focuses on “favorite things”

Concerts:‘Not a bad fit’: FSU presents talents at the 40th PRISM concert, 24th season celebration

In addition to food vendors, unique craft vendors and sparkling holidays, this year’s winter festival features the following fun events:

• Candy Cane Lane in McCarty Park – Enjoy a stroll through this magical vacation scene from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on December 4th and come back to enjoy it later in the week. Candy Cane Lane is open from May 5-12. December open every evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Children’s area at Kleman Plaza – New for 2021, families can enjoy handicrafts and family-friendly vacation movies, including Kung Fu Panda Holiday, Merry Madagascar, and Shrek the Halls, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Four stages of live entertainment – Find local actors, dancers, musicians and more to perform all night in the following locations: Choir / Small Ensemble Stage at Kleman Plaza; Park stage Ponce de Leon; Showmobile on Adams Street near City Hall; College Avenue stage
• Light ceremony at 6 p.m.. at the Parade Announcer’s Platform on South Monroe Street in Bloxham Park – Celebrate the official start of the season with remarks from local dignitaries and watch the switch officially flip when the Chain of Parks lights up.
• Capital Health Plan Jingle Bell Run at 6:15 p.m. – Registration is open until December 1st. This popular event attracts festive runners who traverse an approximately 1.8 mile course through downtown, ending where they started on Park Avenue and Monroe Streets.
• Nightly holiday parade at 7.15pm. – Secure a place for this centerpiece event in good time! More than 50 parades will fill Monroe Street with the Christmas spirit.

Due to the busy activities of the Winter Festival, traffic in the city center will be heavy on December 4th and many streets will be closed. StarMetro’s Saturday routes are affected. Visitors to the winter festival are advised to arrive early. For information on road closures, parking spaces and other traffic-related effects closer to the event, visit Talgov.com/WinterFestival.

This year’s light ceremony, the start of the Jingle Bell Run and the entire Nighttime Holiday Parade will be broadcast live on WCOT (Channel 13) and streamed live on Talgov.com, Facebook.com/CityofTLH, Twitter.com/ to expand access to the event. CityofTLH and YouTube.com/CityofTLH.

The event will be retransmitted on Sunday, December 5, at 6 p.m. on WCOT

The winter festival is coordinated by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs for the City of Tallahassee. For more information on the 2021 Winter Festival, please visit Talgov.com or call PRNA at 850-891-3866.

Never miss another story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page.

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Other explorations: Brooks Burger in Naples

NAPLES, Florida – Turkey, Stuffing, and Cranberry Sauce Can Stand Aside! Gourmet burgers are on the menu today!

More Explores stopped at Brooks Burgers, a local favorite, in Naples.

They serve towering, juicy burgers that will make your mouth water. Some are fancy and put on top of a donut or piled high with fig jam and goat cheese. Others are classic, simple, and tasty.

Don’t forget the milkshakes, chicken wings, gourmet hot dogs and stuffed onion rings too.

Keep an eye on Brooks Burgers as they are expanding. Draft beer dispensers, robots, and even some franchise opportunities are on the horizon for the restaurant.

Click here for more information.

See similar https://abc-7.com/news/more-explores/2021/11/29/more-explores-brooks-burgers-in-naples/

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CDC recommends booster shots for all people 18 and older, citing omicron concerns

With a new variant called omicron shaking up people across the globe, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sent out a media statement Monday recommending that people 18 and older get a booster shot.

That would entail a booster shot 6 months after people got their initial Pfizer and Moderna shots, and two months after those who got their initial Johnson & Johnson shot.

“The recent emergence of the omicron variant (B.1.1.529) further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19,” CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky in written statement.

She continued: “Early data from South Africa suggest increased transmissibility of the omicron variant, and scientists in the United States and around the world are urgently examining vaccine effectiveness related to this variant.

“I strongly encourage the 47 million adults who are not yet vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible and to vaccinate the children and teens in their families as well because strong immunity will likely prevent serious illness. I also want to encourage people to get a COVID-19 test if they are sick. Increased testing will help us identify omicron quickly.”

Meanwhile, in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis so far has made no plans to prepare for a potential new variant. The governor also stressed at an afternoon press conference that shutdowns don’t work and that “you can’t cripple your society for fear of a variant where we don’t have any meaningful data on.”

President Joe Biden on Monday also urged Americans to get a booster shot to increase their immunity against COVID-19 — and to be patient while scientists gather more data on what exactly the new omicron variant will mean.

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