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Activity increasing, as COVID-19 restrictions relax

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Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed an executive order lifting all local COVID-19 restrictions and mandates on individuals and businesses.

As a result, Hillsborough County, Pasco County and the city of Tampa have dropped their mask requirements.

The order, however, does not apply to school districts — and both Pasco County Schools and Hillsborough County Schools will keep their mask orders and other safety protocols in place until the end of the school year.

Private businesses are not subject to the governor’s order, either, meaning they can keep their COVID-19 restrictions — and at this point, many continue to require masks, limit indoor seating and follow other safety measures.

Increased traffic on area roads and more cars in retail and restaurant parking lots, however, provide clear indications that more people are getting out and about.

Air travel is up — way up.

The Transportation Security Administration reported there were 1.7 million travelers at its checkpoints on May 9, compared to 200,815 on the same day last year. However, the number of air travelers is still substantially lower than it was in 2019, when there were 2.4 million air passengers on the same day.

Many travelers — now fully vaccinated — were flying to see family for the first time since the pandemic began. Televised news reports captured emotional reunions of moms and their kids, on Mother’s Day, all over the country.

Travel experts also are advising those wishing to take summer vacations to plan early to ensure accommodations and rental cars are available.

In another sign that things are changing, more graduation ceremonies are being held live — not virtually — this year.

In addition to some area college graduation celebrations, Pasco public schools will hold in-person events again this year, scaled back as they were last year. Hillsborough public school students also will be celebrating at live events, as well.

The Diocese of Saint Petersburg also has announced that the general obligation to attend Sunday Mass will resume on May 22.

Bishop Gregory Parkes, who leads the diocese, had granted a dispensation from the obligation as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19.

Although Catholic churches have been holding services, with mask requirements and social distancing protocols in place, many parishioners opted instead to watch services remotely.

Health experts continue to caution the public to be careful because at the same time COVID-19 restrictions are being relaxed or lifted, the demand for vaccinations has been dropping.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of May 9, 152 million individuals had received at least one dose of vaccine, including 83.6% of those age 65 and older. Of those in that age group, 71.3% were fully vaccinated.

If you are fully vaccinated, the CDC says you can start doing many things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic.

When choosing safer activities, consider how COVID-19 is spreading in your community, the number of people participating in the activity, and the location.

Keep in mind that outdoor visits and activities are safer than indoor activities, and fully vaccinated people can participate in some indoor events safely, without much risk.

The CDC also notes: “While more than eight in 10 people 65 years and older have received at least one dose of vaccine, only around 1 in 3 people ages 18 to 29 have. All age groups currently eligible for the vaccine can benefit from the protection it provides themselves and others, especially as more states are easing prevention measures.”

As the pace of vaccination slows, vaccination persuasion campaigns are on the rise.

Celebrities, politicians and faith leaders are among those urging others to get vaccinated. Some efforts, as reported nationally, involve people making door-to-door visits to encourage people to get a single shot of Johnson & Johnson, or two shots of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.

Sites run by Hillsborough County dispense only the Pfizer vaccine, which can be given to individuals 16 years of age and older. Those ages 16 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, a county news release says.

Efforts by Pfizer could lower the eligible age for its vaccine to 12, if the Food and Drug Administration approves its request for authorization — which could occur as early as this week, according to national reports.

Those seeking vaccinations should know there is no out-of-pocket cost to be vaccinated and no prescription or doctor’s note is required, a Hillsborough County news release says.

With demand continuing to decline at the large public COVID-19 vaccination sites, Hillsborough County Emergency Management is reassessing distribution strategies and developing other options for residents to get vaccinated. Companies, community organizations, and faith-based organizations interested in an on-site targeted vaccine event are encouraged to call 888-513-6321, or email .

Published May 12, 2021

Will the COVID-19 pandemic end soon?

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It’s been a year since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shocked the United States and the world, but brighter days are seemingly ahead, thanks to the ramp up of vaccinations combined with other established health and safety protocols.

Dr. Javier Gonzalez, a board-certified emergency department medical director with AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyrhills, for one, is cautiously optimistic that a sense of normalcy could arrive by summertime.

Dr. Javier Gonzalez, AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyrhills board-certified emergency department medical director (Courtesy of AdventHealth)

That’s assuming that surging COVID-19 virus variants don’t “get crazy” and force the population to get revaccinated, he said.

“Hopefully we’ll get through this in July when we’re supposed to be majority vaccinated, so hopefully this won’t last long and we’re in the final stretch,” Gonzalez said. “As soon as we can get everybody vaccinated, the easier it will be for all for us to go back to a normal time again.”

Gonzalez was the featured guest speaker during The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce March virtual business breakfast meeting.

Gonzalez — also certified as a diplomate with the American Board of Toxicology — spent the bulk of his 45-minute informational talk discussing the various COVID-19 vaccines available and the science behind them.

The health care leader explained the “whole goal” of the vaccines is not necessarily about not getting COVID-19, but rather to mitigate or prevent serious complications or death from the virus.

He put it like this: “People think the goal of the vaccine is, ‘I don’t want to get the disease.’ No, the purpose of the vaccine is not getting the complications. So, the endpoint really should be, ‘Am I going to get sick enough that I’m going to go to the hospital, or am I going to die from COVID-19?’ That’s what you’re trying to prevent, just like the flu vaccine. Most people can get the flu even if you’re vaccinated, but you don’t want to die from the flu, you don’t want to get the pneumonia complications.”

Gonzalez detailed how vaccines are designed to introduce some of the viral genetic material into the body so antibodies can be developed, “which is the key to help you fight the virus in the future.”

He shot down myths that the authorized COVID-19 vaccines may somehow change or interact with a person’s DNA in any way, explaining how the vaccine is delivered into cell’s cytoplasm, not the nucleus.

Said Gonzalez, “I know a lot of people are concerned it’s messing with our DNA. It doesn’t; it stays outside the nucleus of our cells, so it doesn’t go into where our DNA is…”

He touched on the efficacy of the various types of available vaccines, too.

He mentioned both the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines have shown to be about 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 infections for the general population, while the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson viral vector vaccines have come in at 72% and 70%, respectively.

For comparison, the annual flu shot is about 40% to 50% effective in preventing influenza, he said.

The notable piece, Gonzalez emphasized, is the four COVID-19 vaccines are proven 100% effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths related to the virus.

“Don’t be discouraged by these (efficacy) numbers,” he said. “Look at the flu vaccine. We get it every year, and it’s only 40% to 50% effective, but (lack of) hospitalization and death is the important factor here. I don’t care if I get COVID, as long as I don’t die from it.”

Saint Leo University hosted the first COVID-19 vaccine distribution in East Pasco County back in mid-January, at its campus in St. Leo. (File)

With that, he encouraged people to go ahead and get the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, if eligible to do so.

Said Gonzalez, “Is Johnson & Johnson weaker? Yeah, it’s weaker for you not to get COVID, but it’s going to prevent me from going to the hospital and dying from it, so if you are eligible to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, then by all means, please get it.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis expanded the groups eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida, as of March 15, to include those age 60 or older.

Eligibility continues to evolve, so be sure to check for the latest information on state or local health department websites.

Gonzalez, who’s been vaccinated himself, acknowledged experiencing some pain in the injection site.

He knows others have experienced headaches, fatigues and muscle aches for 24 hours to 48 hours — not dissimilar to flu shot symptoms.

He recommended taking Tylenol for relief post-injection. “When you get a side effect from the flu vaccine, most likely you’ll probably get it from COVID-19 (too),” Gonzalez said.

Serious side effects like anaphylaxis are rare, with less than a 0.1% reported, he said, adding, “We haven’t seen any deaths from people getting COVID vaccines.”

Meantime, as others wait to get vaccinated, Gonzalez emphasized continuing proper mask-wearing in public spaces.

He underscored how it reduces risk of transmission or spread of respiratory droplets containing viruses, whether through breathing, talking, coughing or sneezing.

The medical professional admitted, like others, he doesn’t particularly enjoy wearing a mask, but illustrated the bigger picture at play: “I know it’s cumbersome, (but) it doesn’t take that long, you’re helping your neighbor, you’re helping yourself, so, it’s just easier to wear one, whether you believe in it or not, it doesn’t take much from somebody to wear a mask. Just cover your mouth and cover your nose, and be a good citizen with everybody else.”

Improved COVID-19 treatment options
From an encouraging standpoint, inpatient and outpatient COVID-19 treatment options have improved greatly since the pandemic’s onset, Gonzalez observed.

Inpatient hospital care options include anti-virals like remdesivir, similar to Tamiflu to fight influenza; steroids like decadron, given to patients with low oxygen saturations; and convalescent plasma injections, whereby COVID-19 survivors’ antibodies are transfused into sick COVID-19 patients.

In the way of outpatient COVID-19 management, AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyrhills were some of the first hospitals in the health care system’s West Florida division offering monoclonal antibody infusion, Gonzalez said.

This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. (File)

With monoclonal antibody infusion, synthetic antibodies created in a pharmaceutical laboratory are used to limit the amount of virus in the body, treating COVID-19 positive patients and preventing progression to more severe cases and symptoms.

The therapy requires an IV infusion at the hospital and takes about three hours, Gonzalez said.

“We got a lot of good feedback from patients that have received this,” he said, noting his parents and fellow physicians have received therapy at both facilities. “Within 24 hours they were miraculously better.”

Gonzalez pointed out this treatment was actually used to help President Donald Trump recover from the coronavirus, administered at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Bethesda, Maryland.

Don’t ignore other health care issues
Even amid the pandemic, Gonzalez strongly advised people to not put other non-COVID-19-related health care issues on hold, or simply ignore new or persistent symptoms.

Hospitals have taken extreme measures to make sure that people with COVID-19 are held in separate locations, he said, so there shouldn’t be fear of visiting facilities to take care of other medical conditions — whether it’s diabetes, hypertension, or routine cancer screenings.

“Please keep your appointments for chronic disease management, especially if you’re taking medications,” he said.

The speaker noted how hospitals are reporting fewer heart attacks and strokes amid fear of COVID-19 —worrying doctors that patients are avoiding visits for health issues that require prompt care.

“Timing can be the difference,” he said. “If you wait too long (to seek medical care) you’re going to get more comorbidities and more risk for mortality or death.”

A seasonal virus?
At least one lingering question is whether COVID-19 will become a seasonal virus, like the flu.

Gonzalez said it’s “really a debatable question,” adding, “at this time, there’s no data suggesting it will be seasonal.”

However, the medical director explained because COVID-19 is virally enveloped, it’s more apt to survive and travel in cold weather.

Moreover, because sunlight is less intense in the wintertime, there’s less UV radiation light to kill the virus, he said.

Other concerning factors of the virus perhaps spreading more in the wintertime, he said, is a byproduct of people congregating in enclosed indoor spaces more often. There’s also risk of weakened immune responses as people have less Vitamin D amid less sunlight, he said, so supplements are recommended in wintry months.

Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and appear two days to 14 days after exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.

  • Fever/chills
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dry cough
  • Loss of smell/taste
  • Muscle aches
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Note: Seek medical care immediately if someone has emergency warning signs of COVID-19.

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Five mistakes to avoid with your mask

  • Not washing your hands
  • Not covering your nose and mouth
  • Touching or adjusting mask
  • Masking too late, removing it too soon
  • Reusing old/dirty masks

Source: Akron Children’s Hospital

COVID-19 general prevention measures

  • Avoid sick individuals
  • Socially distance at least six feet
  • Wash hands for at least 20 seconds
  • Disinfect high-touch and high-transit areas, such as elevators and stairwells
  • Wear a mask in the community

Published March 17, 2021

Efforts continue to speed, simplify vaccine rollout

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National and local news reports show images of long lines of vehicles waiting to obtain COVID-19 vaccinations, as efforts continue to improve the process for signing up for the shots, and to speed the production and distribution of the vaccines.

President Joe Biden last week announced that the United States signed a final contract for 100 million more Moderna and 100 million more Pfizer vaccines. The news came during a Feb. 11 speech at the National Institutes of Health.

Biden also said that 100 million doses that were promised by the end of June now will be delivered by the end of May, and that the country is on track to have enough supply for 300 million shots by the end of July.

A public-private partnership has been launched, as well, with vaccinations being distributed through 21 national pharmacy partners and networks of independent pharmacies representing over 40,000 pharmacy locations across the country. The effort is part of a national strategy to expand equitable access to the vaccines. (More information is available at CDC.gov/covid19)

Participating chains nationwide include Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Publix, Costco and Winn-Dixie. To find participating local pharmacies, check those companies’ websites.

The retail pharmacy efforts are in addition to ongoing distributions coordinated through local public health departments.

So far, based on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ order, COVID-19 vaccinations are limited to long-term care facility residents and staff; individuals age 65 and older; and, health care personnel with direct patient contact.

Hospital providers also may vaccinate persons deemed extremely vulnerable to COVID-19.

Pasco County seniors can register through the Pasco County health department’s portal.

They also can register through participating private pharmacies.

In Hillsborough County, seniors can pre-register for the state’s portal and reserve their space in line. The state will contact them once it is their turn for a vaccine. Additionally, they can register through participating private pharmacies.

Florida has no county residency requirement, so individuals can attempt to secure an appointment through any of these options.

Despite increased supplies and more vaccination options, Pasco County commissioners said they continue to hear from constituents who are frustrated about not being able to get registered for a shot.

At their Feb. 9 meeting, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey told her colleagues: “I am concerned and want to be sure that we’re doing all we can, that our senior citizens who don’t have access to computers and aren’t computer savvy, are able to figure out how to get on. I’m hearing this over and over again.”

She thinks the county needs to do more to help.

Commissioner Jack Mariano agreed. He’d like to see a system that would allow people to sign up and be put on a waiting list, and then to be notified when a vaccine becomes available.

That would be better, he said, “even if you’re going to be (number) 135,000 — as opposed to not getting in the system.”

Starkey reiterated her concerns: “The queue is the queue. I’m just saying, some people don’t know how to get in the queue.”

County Administrator Dan Biles noted there is a telephone number that people can call to make appointments.

Starkey responded: “I know, but it’s really hard to get through.

Biles observed: “You have 100,000 people trying to get 1,000 shots. It’s going to be hard to get through right now.”

Meanwhile, across the country, 52.9 million COVID-19 vaccines have been distributed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of COVID-19 cases nationally stood at more than 27.4 million, as of Feb. 14, and there has been a downward trend in cases for the past 30 days. The death toll for COVID-19 related cases stood at 482,536.

In Florida, the total number of positive cases exceeded 1.82 million, and there were 28,779 resident deaths, as of Feb. 14, according to data recorded on the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 dashboard.

The figures stood at 31,348 positive resident cases in Pasco County, and 642 deaths; and at 105,531 positive resident cases and 1,397 deaths in Hillsborough County.

COVID-19 vaccinations
To register:

In Pasco County: Go to PatientPortalFl.com to complete an account with CDR Maguire Health & Medical for upcoming appointments, or call 1-844-770-8548. New appointments open up every Sunday at 2 p.m., for the following week, and are typically filled within minutes.

In Hillsborough County: Call 866-200-3896, TTY 844-251-5532, or visit MyVaccine.fl.gov.

National Retail Pharmacy Program: Some retail pharmacies also are participating in a public-private partnership to administer COVID-19 vaccinations. Check the website of  individual retail pharmacies to find out more.

For the most recent COVID-19 vaccination information, check with your local health department websites.

Published February 17, 2021

Congressman fields questions in virtual town hall

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U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis held a series of virtual town hall meetings recently, to field questions and share information regarding assistance available amid the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Bilirakis took part in a Zoom session with members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber on May 5.  He also had other sessions scheduled with other organizations, including The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis has been hosting virtual town halls meetings with local organizations to field questions and concerns about government assistance programs, in the midst of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. (File)

The congressman offered practical suggestions, and expressed empathy for the frustrations that local business owners and individuals are experiencing — in the wake of health concerns and  the financial meltdown caused by COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 1.3 million positive cases nationally and nearly 79,000 deaths.

Bilirakis told those participating in the virtual town hall that he has heard complaints about the process used for government assistance.

“Since the establishment of the Paycheck Protection Program, I’ve heard from countless small-town constituent business owners that the application process was difficult to navigate and that many lenders were not receptive to their needs. This is what we’ve been hearing, folks.

“It’s very frustrating to know that many well-known business chains received millions of dollars in program funds and that those applications may have been prioritized by lending institutions.  I emphasize ‘may,’” Bilirakis said.

He also noted that he has worked to have money specifically set aside in the PPP program to provide help for truly small businesses — those having 25 or fewer employees.

“Our nation’s family owned businesses, mom and pops, and self-proprietors are already competing with national and international competitors — particularly during good times, particularly with the Internet now. So they need the help,” Bilirakis said.

The set-aside, “was a reflection of my work,” the congressman said.

He’s also heard from small businesses who want greater flexibility on the forgiveness side of the loan.

“Some of the businesses haven’t been able to open, obviously, because of the executive order, plus it might not be safe to do so. So, there should be flexibility with that seven or eight weeks,” Bilirakis said.

“As we move forward, we need to find even better ways to ensure that our local businesses get the help they need in this or any future crisis,” Bilirakis said.

The nation needs to be prepared, in case the virus reoccurs in the fall, Bilirakis said.

Bilirakis also noted that he will be introducing legislation “that will do even more to provide direct support to the small businesses.”

“You know, you employ more than 50% of the employees. You create the jobs. You’re the innovators,” he told those listening in.

“Through no fault of your own, you’re not getting business. It’s because of the virus,” Bilirakis said.

“In these times, sometimes you throw out the playbook because people are desperate.

“They’ve invested a lot of their own money in these businesses. We want to save these mom-and-pop businesses, in particular.”

The congressman added: “I think in the next couple of weeks, we’ll have an additional package. What it’s going to look like? We’ll see.”

Bilirakis also addressed a concern that has been expressed about workers being reluctant to go to work because the government is providing a $600 a week federal payment, on top of state unemployment benefits.

He noted: “If you write the letter asking them to come back, then they’re not eligible for further unemployment.”

Summer Robertson, the congressman’s deputy chief of staff, elaborated: “If the employer puts the request for their employee to return to work in writing and the employee refuses it, and the employees continues to claim unemployment, that will be considered fraud and they will be prosecuting fraud.”

She said employers “need to have their employees understand that.”

Others taking part in the town hall expressed concerns about not being able to negotiate with their landlords for temporary relief on their lease payments. Bilirakis suggested they call his office to see if the office can help them find solutions to that problem.

Robertson also touched on the importance of testing to secure data that’s needed to help get the nation reopened.

“The No. 1 thing that the health professionals keep telling us on these calls is that best way that we can help save lives is by identifying who might be impacted.

“The more people who get it, the better criteria that we have, the better decisions we can make, based upon that data,” she said.

Robertson also said: “Just today, Pfizer announced that it is moving into human trials for its possible vaccine for COVID. That process has been ramped up.

“When you have the vaccine available, you’re better to contain the death count,” Robertson said.

Bilirakis also addressed the problems that the state of Florida has been having with its unemployment system.

He noted it’s a state issue, not a federal matter.

But, he added: “It is a huge problem. The governor has recognized that, and there’s an ongoing investigation.”

Although it is a state issue, Bilirakis said his office is helping people by trying to find out the status of specific cases, he said.

Robertson added: “There are a lot of people in terrible situations — haven’t received income in two months, and we’re doing the best we can to communicate those frustrations and those concerns with the state.”

She also said that people who need information on the government’s stimulus checks can go to .

If you’d like additional information about government loans or assistance programs, or have other questions, you can reach Bilirakis’ office at (727) 232-2921.

Published May 13, 2020