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The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

       

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OVID-19

Vaccine demand continues to outpace supply

January 19, 2021 By B.C. Manion

Complaints about difficulties in registering for COVID-19 vaccine appointments in Pasco and Hillsborough counties have resulted in changes to those systems, but demand for vaccinations continues to outpace the supply of available vaccines.

Both Pasco and Hillsborough now are using the same registration system for vaccines.

Anyone age 65 and older who needs the COVID-19 vaccination must go to PatientPortalFl.com or call 844-770-8548 to create an account with CDR Maguire: Health & Medical (CDR Maguire).

Saint Leo University hosted the first COVID-19 vaccine distribution in East Pasco County on Jan. 15, at its campus in St. Leo. (Courtesy of Jason Longo/Saint Leo University)

An account with CDR Maguire is required to register for a vaccination appointment.

Those who have created an account with CDR Maguire must log into the patient portal to register for an appointment.

Pasco’s health department announced that it would hold four vaccination clinics this week. Registrations for the clinics began on Jan. 17. Appointments are mandatory to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

The health department planned to provide 400 vaccinations on Jan. 19 and 400 on Jan. 21, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Sears Auto Center in the Gulfview Square Mall, 9409 U.S. 19 in Port Richey.

There also will be 500 appointments on Jan. 20 and 500 on Jan. 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Saint Leo University, 33710 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

Those receiving the vaccinations should be sure to have a photo ID, when checking in for your vaccination appointment. If using the online patient portal, be sure to bring a printed or digital copy of the confirmation email you receive, containing the QR code.

Both Hillsborough and Pasco counties continue to have a fundamental issue with vaccine supply.

On the Hillsborough website, a health department note says: “Please understand that the vaccine is not widely available in Hillsborough County at this time and the distribution plans depend on vaccine supplies. Supplies are provided by the federal government and distributed to the states, which then allocate them to counties.”

Pasco County Commission members expressed frustrations about the vaccine supply problem at their Jan. 12 meeting.

Commissioner Mike Moore raised the issue, noting that Pasco’s health department was supposed to receive 3,500 doses on a particular day.

“They received zero, as we all know,” Moore said to his colleagues.

“Our current population, we’re guesstimating, is 560,000 —  I’m sure when the census comes out it will be closer to 600,000,” Moore said.

About a third of Pasco’s population is over the age of 65, he added.

If the county was to get 1,800 vaccines a week, it would take about 7 ½ years to vaccinate the population in Pasco County. At 3,500, it would take 3 ½ years to vaccinate the population of Pasco County, he said.

Moore said he’d been working on the problem with Dan Biles, county administrator; Andy Fossa, county director of emergency management; and Mike Napier, public health officer for the Department of Health — Pasco County.

Moore then reached out to Jared Moskowitz, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

“I was able to get him to send at least 1,000,” Moore said. “While I do appreciate that, that’s not enough.”

Moore said he and Commission Chairman Ron Oakley reached out to State Sen. Danny Burgess, and Burgess was able to secure another 500 vaccines.

“So, we ended up with 1,500 this week,” said Moore, who also expressed gratitude to Senate President Wilton Simpson and Rep. Randy Maggard, for their efforts.

But, Moore expressed his continued frustration about Pasco’s inability to get adequate vaccines.

“Every one of us (county commissioners) are getting the calls and the emails from our constituents. I know that each and every one of you, as well as I do, wish we could do more for them. Unfortunately, right now, the only thing that we can do is ask and beg. I really feel like I was begging yesterday, on behalf of our citizens. We need more vaccines in Pasco County,” Moore said.

Administrator Biles said “to be honest, the entire region is being shorted.”

“At the rate we’re getting it, it’s six-plus months, just to get the over-65 community,” Biles said.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said “I’m trying to figure out why we’re getting shorted.”

She suggested sending a letter to the governor and state emergency management director, urging that “vaccines be distributed per capita, in a fair and uniform manner.”

The letter also should go to Senate President Simpson and Speaker of the House Chris Sprowls, Starkey suggested.

“Let’s get that letter off immediately and get our fair share,” she said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano weighed in: “I think we need to get a federal letter, too.”

Commissioners agreed with Starkey and Mariano’s suggestions, and approved separate motions to send both letters.

For more information on signing up for a vaccination and about the availability of appointments, visit the Pasco health department websites at Pasco.floridahealth.gov and the Hillsborough health department website at Hillsborough.floridahealth.gov.

Vaccines in Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order that outlines that providers can only administer COVID-19 vaccines to these groups:

  • Health care facility residents and staff
  • Those age 65 and older
  • Health care personnel with direct patient contact
  • Persons deemed to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 by hospital providers

Keep wearing your mask
Even if you’ve had two vaccinations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there’s not enough information yet to say when it will stop recommending people to wear masks and to avoid close contact with others to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

While experts learn more, they recommend that people continue to:

  • Wear a mask over your nose and mouth
  • Stay at least 6 feet away from others
  • Avoid crowds
  • Avoid poorly ventilated spaces
  • Wash your hands often

Published January 20, 2021

Class of 2020: Graduations delayed

May 5, 2020 By B.C. Manion

The public school districts in Pasco and Hillsborough counties have announced delayed graduation ceremonies to help seniors mark their rite of passage during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hillsborough County public school graduations will be held in July, according to a district announcement.

Pasco County graduations will be held in August, Pasco County Superintendent Kurt Browning said, during the Pasco County School Board’s April 21 virtual meeting.

“We know that students and parents are anxious to know what these plans are,” Browning said.

“As soon as the dates are set in August, we will push those dates out to moms and dads, and the students and the school administrators,” he said.

The superintendent also said that a virtual celebration is being planned, in the interim.

“We believe it’s important to mark the final week of school with a celebration, so staff is working on a virtual celebration leading up to the last week,” Browning said.

School Board Chairwoman Colleen Beaudoin said, “I really want to thank the superintendent and staff for sharing their plans for graduation, because I have gotten quite a few phone calls and comments from people in our community, and everyone is very concerned about recognizing our seniors. And, I know all of us and all of you share that angst.”

Board member Megan Harding said she wanted to let seniors know that she understands “how heartbreaking” the news was, that students would not return to campus and that graduations would be delayed.

“I want to remind them to finish strong and know that we’re cheering you on, and we are going to be creative and find ways to honor the Class of 2020,” Harding said.

The revised Hillsborough public school graduation dates are listed on that district’s website. As of this time, here are the dates and times set for high schools that are in, or near, The Laker/Lutz News coverage area are:

  • Freedom: July 18, 9 a.m.
  • Gaither: July 15, 9 a.m.
  • Steinbrenner, July 16, 8 p.m.
  • Wharton, July 17, 12:30 p.m.
  • Sickles, July 20, 4 p.m.

All of the Hillsborough County ceremonies are scheduled to take place at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall.

Published May 06, 2020

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What’s Happening

08/11/2022 – Food distribution

Farm Share, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Pasco Sheriff Charities, The Gentlemen’s Course, and the Pasco County NAACP will host a free food distribution on Aug. 11 starting at 9 a.m., at the Big Lots parking lot, 4840 Allen Road in Zephyrhills. Food will be handed out rain or shine, on a first-come, first-served drive-through basis, until the items run out. … [Read More...] about 08/11/2022 – Food distribution

08/11/2022 – Yarn for a Cause

The New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will host Yarn for a Cause on Aug. 11 at 6:15 p.m., in the Meeting Room. This group creates projects such as blankets for nursing homes, and more. Participants can learn new techniques and show their own projects. Register online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 08/11/2022 – Yarn for a Cause

08/12/2022 – Monuments tour

The Dade City Heritage and Cultural Museum will host a “Monuments By Moonlight Tour” at the Dade City Cemetery, 38161 Martin Luther King Blvd., in Dade City, on Aug. 12 from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Participants can learn about founding families, notable citizens, and the stories ‘in the stones.’ This tour is on grassy pathways and uneven surfaces; open-toed shoes are not recommended. Twilight time brings heat, bugs, and sometimes rain, so be prepared. Water will be provided. Guests should meet at the cemetery gate. Parking is available across the street. The tour will be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Dade City Cemetery and the Dade City Heritage Museum. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at EventBrite.com. … [Read More...] about 08/12/2022 – Monuments tour

08/12/2022 – Smart Driver Course

The Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills, will offer the AARP Smart Driver Safety Course on Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., for ages 50 and older. Space is limited. Registration is required. Call Bev Cogdill at 813-907-3908. … [Read More...] about 08/12/2022 – Smart Driver Course

08/13/2022 – Ask a Gardener

The Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills, will host “Ask a Master Gardener” on Aug. 13 at 9 a.m. and at 10 a.m. A master gardener will be on hand to answer questions. For information, call 813-780-0064. … [Read More...] about 08/13/2022 – Ask a Gardener

08/13/2022 – Belly Dance Show

The American Belly Dance Studio will present “We Come to Belly Dance,” a gala belly dance show, on Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. This is a fun, family oriented show featuring a variety of belly dance styles and costumes. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased online at AmericanBellyDance.com, and at the door if available (limited seating). For information, email , or call 813-416-8333. … [Read More...] about 08/13/2022 – Belly Dance Show

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