Treasure Coast Covid 19 Update May 19 2020
FPUA Sponsorship Assists Customers Affected by COVID-19 Crisis
Fort Pierce, FL, May 18, 2020 – Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) has established the Project Care COVID-19 Relief Fund with a sponsorship in the amount of $100,000, to assist customers most affected by the COVID-19 Crisis with payment of their utility bill. FPUA is partnering with Mustard Seed Ministries and ALPI (The Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc.) to manage and administer funds based on specific eligibility criteria.
Eligibility criteria includes:
* Valid Identification
* Verification of need must include proof that the Corona Virus/COVID-19 caused a financial setback that makes it difficult for you to pay your FPUA utility bill (verification criteria will be explained when appointment is made)
* Must present most current FPUA utility bill
* Assistance provided only once per account number
* One-time assistance cannot exceed $400
If you are in need and would like to request financial assistance with your FPUA utility bill, an appointment is REQUIRED. To contact Mustard Seed Ministries for an appointment, please call 772-465-6021. To contact ALPI for an appointment, please call their appointment line at 844-356-8138.
About FPUA: Fort Pierce Utilities Authority is a municipal utility whose mission is “to provide our customers with economical, reliable and friendly service in a continuous effort to enhance the quality of life in our community.” Fort Pierce is one of more than 2,000 communities in the United States served by a community-owned electric utility, and one of very few who also provide water, wastewater, natural gas, and Internet services. Public utility systems are owned by the people they serve. All benefits from our locally controlled utility remain right here in the community. Additional information is available at www.fpua.com<https://www.fpua.com>.
Florida is on the brink of two-thousand coronavirus deaths. Another 24 fatalities reported yesterday bring the statewide toll to 19-hundred-97. There are now more than 46-thousand cases in Florida.
Treasure Coast Covid 19 Update May 19 2020
Most retail shops in Florida have been open at 25 percent capacity for the past two weeks, as the state slowly attempts an economic recovery amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Beginning yesterday, stores were able to increase to 50 percent capacity.
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State universities in Florida are preparing to reopen campuses in the fall. That’s the announcement from the Board of Governors. Public meetings will take place to help determine the guidelines under which the openings will happen. And then each school will submit its own plans.
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Healthcare company AdventHealth says as many as 33-thousand Floridians who took COVID-19 tests may have been given incorrect results. Some may have received no results at all. Because of this, AdventHealth has terminated the contract with one of its third-party coronavirus testing labs. Those affected will be notified about getting a second test done.
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The state is starting to catch up with all of the unemployment claims filed since the coronavirus pandemic began in March.
Governor Ron DeSantis says many of the problems come from incomplete applications or people who may not be eligible because they quit their job or live out of state. The governor says he’ll talk more about the unemployment system today.
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Two inmates at the St. Lucie County Jail have tested positive for the coronavirus, Sheriff Ken Mascara announced on Monday. ——
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St. Lucie County public high school seniors will now get the chance to walk across the stage.
The school district announced over the weekend that traditional graduation ceremonies for the six district high schools will be held June 30 through July 2 at Lawnwood Stadium in Fort Pierce.
Superintendent Wayne Gent said he spoke with the health district and senior class leaders before making the call. Tickets will be limited to two per family, and seating will be spaced out with social distancing in mind.
Virtual graduations for the high schools will still be held as planned next week.
St. Lucie County joins Martin, Indian River and Okeechobee counties with plans to hold traditional graduation ceremonies.
For the first time in Florida history, the state Board of Dentistry is asking the governor to support a one-time waiver on some exam rules to become a licensed dentist or hygienist in the state.
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Last month, the Board of Dentistry approved its own support of a measure that would waive one of the dental and dental hygiene exams that demonstrates an examinees’ ability to properly perform a deep cleaning.
In addition, the board also discussed and voted in favor of supporting a move that, for the first time, would allow dental examinees to perform some exams on mannequins instead of a live patient.
Last week, the Florida Dental Association also approved its support of these changes to licensing requirements.
The support came after the Florida board heard a presentation by the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) on their non-patient based exam alternative. The waivers do not become official until Gov. Ron DeSantis signs off on the changes in an executive order.
Hundreds of recent graduates at several dental schools around the state have been stuck in limbo since the shut down canceled their licensure exams back in March.
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Scientists have made new advances in the pursuit for a COVID-19 vaccine. Biotech company Moderna says its experimental vaccine creates antibodies and is generally safe and well-tolerated. It’s the first vaccine to be tested on people in the U.S. The viral challenge study overseen by government was found to produce the same or better antibody levels as convalescent plasma.
Moderna is optimistic about its next research phases and is already investing in scaling up manufacturing.
There are other vaccine-related initiatives happening simultaneously to make sure research progresses even faster. More than 20,000 people from over 100 countries have signed up with the group 1 Day Sooner to be part of a vaccine challenge trial.
