The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

World Health Organization

Florida is closing in on 1 million COVID-19 cases

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Experts are predicting that Florida will hit the 1 million mark in positive COVID-19 cases this week, and there are concerns nationwide about the impacts from potential spread that may have occurred during the Thanksgiving holidays.

The Florida Department of Health had recorded more than 992,660 positive cases of COVID-19, including 976,944 positive residents, according to health department figures available on the morning of Nov. 30.

The death toll stood at 18,500 for Florida residents and 236 for non-residents, according to the same report.

Hillsborough County had 57,673 positive cases, involving county residents, and 419 cases involving non-residents. The county has recorded 929 deaths related to COVID-19.

In Pasco County, there were 14,643 positive cases involving residents, and 140 involving non-residents. The death toll stood at 271.

The latest figures for the Pasco and Hillsborough public school districts had not yet been updated, since the districts were out for the Thanksgiving break.

The most recent figures from those districts show that there had been 475 student cases and 177 staff cases in Pasco County Schools. The positive cases affected a total of 8,265 students and 719 staff, who had to be quarantined.

In Hillsborough Public Schools, there was a total of 1,585 positive cases, including 640 staff members and 945 students.

Across the country, millions of Americans stuck to their plans to travel over the Thanksgiving holidays, despite pleas from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for them to stay home.

At Tampa International Airport, 40,000 passengers streamed through checkpoints on the Sunday before Thanksgiving — the greatest number since air traffic plunged in late March and early April, due to the pandemic, according to Emily Nipps, the airport’s manager of communications.

“To put it in perspective, we saw around 80,000 passengers on our busy days this time last year. So we’re still barely seeing about half of the traffic we saw this time in 2019. However, we’re way up from the few thousand daily passengers we saw at our low point in April,” Nipps said, via email.

She also noted that “the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving are always our busiest – we ‘think’ we’ll see between 40,000 and 50,000 passengers on those days, though our projections are not as accurate as they’ve been in years past because of the uncertainty of travelers, COVID, cancellations, etc.”

Meanwhile, the state health department, the Florida Hospital Association, the Florida Medical Association and health insurance companies are urging the public to get flu shots. The groups want to help prevent severe illnesses and to keep Florida’s health care system from being overwhelmed by flu and COVID-19 cases.

While Florida’s positive cases approach the 1-million mark, the national figures for positive cases surpassed 13.1 million cases and the national death toll exceeded 265,000 as of the morning of Nov. 30, according to the CDC.

Internationally, the number of positive cases is approaching 62.2 million, with a death toll nearing 1.5 million, also as of the morning of Nov. 30, according to the World Health Organization.

Also, in national interviews, numerous health experts have said there may be a lag time before the extent of the impact is known, regarding the spread of COVID-19 related to Thanksgiving traveling and festivities.

Help prevent the spread of COVID-19
Avoid these high-risk activities:

  • Shopping in crowded stores
  • Attending large indoor gatherings with people from outside of your household
  • Using alcohol or drugs that may alter judgment and make it more difficult to practice COVID-19 safety measures.

Follow these safety protocols:

  • Stay 6 feet away from others
  • Wear a mask when social distancing isn’t possible
  • Wash hands frequently

Source: Florida Department of Health

Published December 02, 2020

COVID-19 numbers continue to rise, caution urged

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Positive cases of COVID-19 continue to rise, both globally and locally.

The World Health Organization, as of the morning of Nov. 16, reported 53.8 million positive cases and 1.3 million deaths.

Cases were approaching the 11 million-mark in the United States, with about 245,000 deaths, according to a report the same day by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Florida, the Department of Health reported a total of 885,201 cases, including 872,810 residents. The state has charted 13,518 resident deaths and 216 non-residents.

Hillsborough County totals were 52,572 positive cases of residents and 335 non-residents. The county reported 857 deaths.

Pasco County’s figures stood at 12,425 positive cases among residents, and 122 in non-residents. It also has recorded 259 deaths.

Hillsborough County Schools reported 791 students had tested positive for the virus, while the figure stood at 559 for employees — bringing the district’s total to 1,350.

In Pasco County Schools, as of Nov. 16, there had been 391 student cases and 144 staff cases. A total of 7,053 students were impacted by those testing positive, as were 633 staff members.

The district reports the number of positive cases, and the numbers of staff and students who are required to quarantine because of exposure.

The Pasco County School Board and the Florida Department of Health-Pasco County were set to discuss the school district’s COVID-19 response during a board workshop set for the afternoon of Nov. 17. The workshop will occur after The Laker/Lutz News press deadline.

The school board also is scheduled to consider a change to district policy to continue the current mask mandate until the end of the 2020-2021 school year.

The proposed rule “is required to protect the health, safety and welfare of students and staff,” according to background materials contained in the school board’s agenda.

The rule “mandates and requires that all employees, contractors, visitors, and students wear a mask or other face covering while on school property and/or engaged in school activities.”

The mandate also “requires that proper social distancing must always be observed to the maximum extent possible.”

The rule also requires that “whenever feasible and possible, students, staff, and visitors must remain six (6) feet away from persons that are not members of their household.”

Published November 18, 2020

COVID-19 might forever change the way we work

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The COVID-19 virus era has changed the American workplace in the short term — and maybe in the long term, too.

Safety precautions are paramount.

Many employees are working remotely with new equipment, and a different process, overall.

‘Many of us are working at home and not going out as much as we did. For employees, this can create stress, anxiety and loneliness,’ said Sheri Bias, a Saint Leo University associate professor. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

The upside, of course, is skipping the commute, but a recent Saint Leo University webinar — “Workplace Reimagined/Human Capital and the Return to the Workplace’’ — pointed out unintended consequences that could extract a huge toll on productivity, the human connection and mental wellness, too.

“Most businesses had a contingency plan based on natural disasters, such as hurricanes, but based on the duration and magnitude of this pandemic, many businesses were not ready for something like this,’’ said Sheri Bias, a Saint Leo associate professor with a deep background in human resources. “Now that employees are re-entering the workplace, consideration must be given to a lot of different measures.

“Employers must be cognizant of continuity and the impact on people. They need to understand wellness from a mental standpoint. And, they must understand mental health concerns as they relate to new work demands.’’

Bias said World Health Organization (WHO) research indicates that for every dollar invested by a company in mental wellness, a $4 return can be expected through improved employee health and wellness.

“Employees are juggling multiple things during this pandemic,’’ Bias said. “They may have their own health concerns. They may be dealing with elder care or helping their children with a new online environment at school. And, this is all while balancing their own workload.

‘We know COVID-19 is highly infectious and we know it can stay longer in the air, like when a smoker leaves the room, but you can still smell the smoke,’ said Rafael Rosado-Ortiz, an associate professor of health care management in Saint Leo University.

“Many of us are working at home and not going out as much as we did. For employees, this can create stress, anxiety and loneliness. There’s Zoom (video conferencing) burnout. From an organizational leadership standpoint, you must show you care. Pick up the phone. Reach out. Ask what you can do for the employee. Those type of gestures can be resounding. It’s establishing that personal connection and, in times like these, that is so very important.’’

Brandy Policita, Saint Leo’s Instructor of Health and Wellness who was a corporate wellness manager for three Fortune 500 companies, said a new term has emerged in her field.

Digital wellness.

“Before the pandemic, we were already getting a mass amount of emails and texts,’’ Policita said. “Now, communication has gone through the ceiling. The manner of consumption has changed. We’re not engaging. We are numb to it all. Distraction can come into play.’’

Policita said there has been considerable research on the harmful effects of technology on children, but some of those factors are coming into play for adults in the workplace.

“The migration to mobile has been going on quite some time, and we like our mobility,’’ Policita said. “But, as we migrate away from the office space, the lines have been blurred. We thought we were always on before. Now we are really always on.

“It’s causing an array of issues. The multitasking tendencies and technology are leading to eyestrain. Most of us don’t blink enough because we’re always on tech. We’re seeing an increase in headaches, the next for physical therapy or occupational therapy, anxiety and depression. This always-on culture is going to affect employees.’’

Policita said technology has created adverse effects that impact focus, engagement, memory and resiliency. She added that multitasking is a myth, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed and the inability to complete job functions.

So what to do?
“The goal is to be in the flow in the workplace, in the zone, where it feels effortless with no distraction,’’ Policita said. “It needs to be intentional. You need to be in control and employers need to facilitate that.

‘If an employee comes to work and has symptoms or if they become ill during the workday, obviously the person should be sent home,’ Kathleen Van Eerden said. ‘But, it could also involve making sure they don’t use public transportation, rideshare or taxi that would put others at risk,’ said Eerden, an associate dean in Saint Leo’s College of Health Professions.

“We don’t do enough daydreaming, where we reflect and process the day. If we pause now, we probably check our phone. We need harmony and that could mean a digital intervention,” she said.

She continued: “Employers and supervisors need to model proper behavior. They need to encourage weekends, vacations, work recovery. You can pause emails at 6 p.m., and turn them back on at 8 a.m. That could be policy. It would show that time away is not only encouraged, it is valued.’’

Beyond technology-related concerns, COVID-19 also has created heightened precaution and preventative health measures in the workplace. Most of them are related to common sense.

“To be in compliance and to protect everyone, it’s social distancing, wearing a face covering, washing your hands, the things we’ve been hearing all along,’’ said Rafael Rosado-Ortiz, an associate professor of health care management in Saint Leo’s Tapia College of Business.

Brandy Policita, an instructor of health and wellness at Saint Leo University, said there has been considerable research on the harmful effects of technology on children, but some of those factors are coming into play for adults in the workplace, too.

“We know COVID-19 is highly infectious and we know it can stay longer in the air, like when a smoker leaves the room, but you can still smell the smoke. You’ve got to do the right things and know things like hand sanitizer is not a substitute for soap and water. You’ve got to routinely clean and disinfect the routinely touched areas. In the classroom, it’s desks and computers. In restaurants, it’s the tables, the door handles, the bathrooms.’’

Kathleen Van Eerden, an associate dean in Saint Leo’s College of Health Professions, said employers must be vigilant.

“If an employee comes to work and has symptoms or if they become ill during the workday, obviously the person should be sent home,’’ Van Eerden said. “But, it could also involve making sure they don’t use public transportation, rideshare or taxi that would put others at risk.

“You want to follow all the CDC guidelines in terms of when an employee can come back because you don’t want exposure to other employees or customers. It’s just being aware and following through,” she said.

Being tuned in to employees — whether at the office or remotely — is part of keeping up with a very different workplace in the era of COVID-19.

By Joey Johnston

Published October 21, 2020

Pasco School Board to vote on masks

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Pasco County Schools plans to require all students, staff and visitors to wear face masks or face coverings while on school campuses or at other district properties beginning this fall, according to a district news release.

Superintendent Kurt Browning placed the topic on the school board’s agenda for discussion at its July 21 virtual telephonic meeting, after The Laker/Lutz News went to press.

Browning intends to bring an emergency rule to the board on July 28 to formalize the mandate, the release says.

“Every decision is being made with input from parents, teachers, staff, the school board and health professionals,” Browning said, in the release. “This is an essential component in our strategy to create a safe and healthy environment for our students and staff.”

The proposed rule describes what qualifies as a mask or face covering and under what circumstances the mask can be removed. It also describes how the school district will make accommodations for students or staff members who have a medical condition that would prevent them from wearing a mask or face covering.

The district also noted that “the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that everyone wear a face covering to help prevent community spread of COVID-19.

“Face coverings have also been mandated by Pasco County. Current medical research shows that COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets created when a person talks, sings, raises their voice, shouts, sneezes or coughs, even when a person is asymptomatic. The face covering reduces and/or prevents the number of these droplets from making it into the environment and being inhaled by another person.

“When you wear a face covering, you help protect others around you from COVID-19, and when those around you wear face coverings, they are protecting you and others around them. While social distancing and regular hand-washing are also essential, social distancing is not always possible. In those situations, face covering provides additional protection.”

If the emergency rule is adopted, the district will join a growing list of government jurisdictions and  private businesses now requiring masks.

The mask issue, however, continues to be a flashpoint of controversy during this global pandemic.

Proponents of masks point to medical experts and scientists, and say wearing masks can save lives. Opponents are skeptical about the effectiveness of masks and say such mandates are an infringement on personal freedoms.

Published July 22, 2020

Watch out for COVID-19 scams

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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has posted information on its website about how to avoid scams during the COVID-19 pandemic. The FTC offers this advice to consumers:

  • Don’t respond to texts, emails or calls about checks from the government. Read more at consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/04.
  • Be wary of ads for test kits. Most test kits being advertised have not been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), and aren’t necessarily accurate.
  • Hang up on robocalls. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from low-priced health insurance to work-at-home schemes.
  • Watch for emails claiming to be from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) or WHO (World Health Organization). Use sites such as Coronavirus.gov and USA.gov/coronavirus to get the latest information. Do not click on links from sources you don’t know.
  • Do your homework when it comes to donations. Never donate in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money.

To download a complete guide or watch videos on how to avoid scams, to read about how COVID-19 impacts finances, or to view consumer complaint data, visit FTC.gov/coronavirus.

Published June 24, 2020

Places you can turn to for help in Pasco, Hillsborough counties

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Pick up paper unemployment forms
Both Hillsborough and Pasco counties are handing out paper unemployment forms at specific libraries.

Hillsborough County
The location near The Laker/Lutz News coverage area is at Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave. The library’s drive-thru will be open seven days a week, from 9:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Once completed, residents also can drop off the forms at either drive-through, and library staff will mail the documents for them.

Pasco County
Printed unemployment forms will be available just outside the entrance to these libraries, in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area:

  • Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes
  • Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City

If you’re unable to visit a library in person and would like to request a blank application form by mail, please contact the library at "> or through the “Ask A Librarian” feature at PascoLibraries.org.

Once completed, residents can mail the form to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

For more information about Pasco County Libraries, including the library catalog, E-content,  programs, events and links to all Pasco County Library branches, visit PascoLibraries.org.

Hillsborough County emergency help
As the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) fallout continues, Hillsborough County officials are reminding residents about assistance available to help people meet their food needs.

Here is a look at some programs:

  • Hillsborough residents age 60 and older can apply for food assistance through Hillsborough County Aging services. There is no income requirement to participate in the federally funded program. To find out more, call (813) 2727-5250.
  • Feeding Tampa Bay is offering drive-thru distribution of free, pre-packaged groceries to Hillsborough County residents in need. Distribution is on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry campus, 4001 W. Tampa Bay Blvd., in Tampa. Check Feeding Tampa Bay’s website before the events, to be sure there have been no changes. To find out about other food assistance programs and information, visit FeedingTampaBay.org, or call (813) 254-1190.
  • Tampa YMCA Veggie Van is distributing free pre-packaged bags of produce in several neighborhoods in Hillsborough County. No ID, paperwork or pre-screening is required to receive the food. Learn more, visit Tampa Veggie Van on Facebook.
  • SNAP recipients across the state starting April 21 will be able to use EBT cards to make eligible food purchases from Walmart and Amazon online.

Pasco Planning and development open online
Pasco County’s planning and development department is only accepting electronic submittals via its online portals. It is not accepting hard copy application packages, hard copy re-submittals or checks.

All project information must be uploaded in Accela and all payments must be made online via e-check ($1.99 fee) or credit card (2.65% fee) through the Accela Citizen Access (ACA) portal.

To communicate with the department, reach out to a specific staff member, via email or telephone. You can email general questions to , or call (727) 847-8142.

Tips for reducing stress
Here are some suggestions from the National Alliance on Mental Illness to help reduce potential stress and anxiety, as the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic disrupts our daily lives.

Manage how you consume information
Equip yourself with information from credible, reputable sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). See “Basic information” section for more links.

Be selective about how you consume news. It’s generally a good idea to stay engaged and informed. Having some limits on your news consumption can help:

  • Watching or listening to the same news constantly can increase stress. Reading can be an easier medium to control how much and what kind of information you’re absorbing.
  • Set limits on when and for how long you consume news and information, including through social media. It may help you to choose a couple of 15-minute blocks each day when you will check news/social media and limit your news consumption to that time.
  • False information spreads very easily on social media and can have serious consequences for individual and public health. Always verify sources and make sure they are reputable, especially before sharing anything.

Follow healthy daily routines as much as possible
Your daily habits and routines can help you feel more in control of your own well-being.

Even simple actions can make a difference:

  • Make your bed
  • Get dressed
  • Connect with loved ones
  • Move your body
  • Make time for breaks
  • If possible, take regular short breaks during work or between shifts. During these breaks, go outside and engage in physical activity if you can.
  • Practice good hygiene, especially by cleaning your hands
  • Get enough regular sleep, it is critical for your immune system
  • Eat nutritious food as much as possible, especially fruits and vegetables

Published April 22, 2020

Pasco Sheriff’s Office warns of coronavirus scams

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As coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) dominates attention globally, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office warns that cybercriminals are seeking to capitalize on the public’s desire to know more about the outbreak.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is warning of potential coronavirus-related cybercrimes. (Courtesy of Pasco County Sheriff’s Office)

There are nationwide reports of phishing scams that attempt to steal personal information or to infect devices with malware, and ads that peddle false information or scam products, the sheriff’s office says.

In one example, a phishing email used the logo of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Health Alert Network and claimed to provide a list of local active infections. Recipients were instructed to click on a link in the email to access the list. Then, recipients were asked to enter their email login credentials, which then were stolen.

The sheriff’s office says it isn’t aware of any cases in its jurisdiction, but is encouraging people to report phishing and other cybercrime.

The law enforcement agency also is advising the following:

  • When seeking information on COVID-19, visit known reputable websites like the (CDC) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization (WHO) or the Florida Department of Health.
  • Be on the lookout for phishing emails, which may appear to come from a trusted source. Remember, you can look at the sender’s details — specifically the part of the email address after the “@” symbol — in the “From” line to see if it looks legitimate.
  • Be wary of emails or phone calls offering unexpected or unprompted information. Also, do not click on links in emails from unfamiliar sources: they could be embedded with malware.
  • Although social media companies, such as Facebook, are cracking down on ads spreading coronavirus conspiracies and fake cures, some ads may make it past their review process.

Published April 1, 2020

Coronavirus poses dangers, disrupts daily life

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

The ever-evolving threat posed by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has forced schools across Florida to shut down, blocked visitors from nursing homes, caused wide-ranging travel and event cancellations, and stripped grocery aisles — especially of toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

Locally, parents of students in the Pasco and Hillsborough county school districts are bracing to prepare for an extended state-ordered spring break.

The Diocese of St. Petersburg also closed schools and early childhood centers through March 20. The diocese already had scheduled March 16 and March 17 as days off for students. Virtual learning will be conducted March 16 through March 20, according to a Diocese news release.

The additional school closures have left thousands of families scrambling to arrange child care, although the impact may be lessened to some degree as many companies are asking workers to work at home, if possible.

The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic; President Donald Trump has declared a national state of emergency. Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state emergency, and Hillsborough and Pasco counties have declared local states of emergency.

As of the morning of March 16, there had been four deaths reported in Florida linked to COVID-19, according to the Florida Health Department, which is the lead agency responding to the threat.

The health department also reported 684 negative test results and 514 pending tests. Also, there were 442 people being monitored for the virus and 1,573 had been monitored.

Health officials are trying to limit the spread of the virus — to avoid overloading hospitals — by urging people to avoid large crowds and wash their hands frequently.

The virus can spread person to person, through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when a person coughs or sneezes. The droplets may land on objects and surfaces.

Other people may contract COVID-19 by touching these objects or surface, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath — and may appear as early as two days or as many as 14 days after exposure.

Most people recover from COVID-19 without requiring special treatment, but people with underlying medical conditions are at greater risk.

Impacts from the virus are being felt from Wall Street to Main Street. The stock market has plunged repeatedly, and local businesses are losing revenues because of the uncertainty created by the pandemic.

Huge events have been cancelled or postponed.

On the local front, cancellations include:

  • The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s Land O’ Lakes Music Festival, March 21
  • Dog Days in Dade City, March 21
  • The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce/Pasco-Hernando State College Distinguished Women’s Leadership Breakfast, March 24
  • The fourth annual Family Friendly Summer Camp Expo (Pasco/New Tampa), March 28
  • The Taste of North Tampa Bay, March 29
  • The North Tampa Bay Chamber monthly membership breakfast, April 7
  • The North Tampa Bay Chamber membership luncheon, April 8
  • All SCORE chapters across the country have suspended in-person events, including mentoring sessions and workshops, until further notice.

Attractions also have temporarily ceased operations, including Disney World and a number of regional venues. They include:

  • ZooTampa, through March 29.
  • Tampa Museum of Art, through March 29
  • The Glazer Children’s Museum, through March 29
  • Henry B. Plant Museum, through March 29
  • The Florida Aquarium, through March 29
  • The Museum of Science and Industry, through March 29
  • Tampa Theatre, through March 31

The Knights of Columbus, at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, in Land O’ Lakes, have cancelled until further notice, their meetings, their Lenten Fish Frys, their doughnuts on Sunday and soccer, both games and concessions.

The Savage Race, which was set for March 14 and March 15, at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City, was postponed.

And, a Spring Market Day, planned for March 21 at the Old Lutz School, was cancelled because vendors were concerned about setting up, because of the threat of COVID-19.

Both the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce and North Tampa Chamber have announced they would be holding off on varied activities, pending future decisions, in light of the evolving nature of the coronavirus threat.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning has been keeping parents and staff informed about the district’s response to the ever-changing landscape of the COVID-19 threat through a series of videos posted on the district’s website.

“I know that everyone remains concerned about the possibility of an outbreak,” Browning said, and the district is taking steps to attempt to limit the spread.

It also has conducted a brief phone survey to evaluate its capacity to provide distance learning, the superintendent said, noting the district needs to be prepared.

The district also has announced a plan to provide meals to students at seven designated sites, beginning on March 23. The food will be offered on a drive-thru basis at specific sites. The pre-packaged meals are for children under 18 years old and will include lunch as well as breakfast for the next day. Information about the program can be obtained by going to the school district’s website, Pasco.k12.fl.us, and click on the coronavirus information link.

Impacts also are being felt by colleges.

Schools within the state’s university system were instructed to make plans to transition to remote instruction as soon as possible.

Saint Leo University suspended classes for its university campus students, in St. Leo, from March 16 to March 20, to allow its faculty to prepare to deliver all classes online beginning March 23, according to a university news release.

All residential students are being asked to return to their permanent residence following spring break, rather than returning to campus and to remain at home during this period of online instruction.

The university also has suspended all fall and winter sports, indefinitely. And, is canceling all large, group events.

The virus is affecting churches, too.

Concerns about potential spread of the virus also prompted the Diocese of St. Petersburg to take these steps, effective March 12, until further notice:

  • End the distribution of communal wine from a common cup
  • Remove Holy Water fonts, including the baptismal font
  • Avoid physical contact, including during the Sign of Peace

Bishop Gregory Parkes also granted dispensation from Sunday Mass in the Saint Petersburg Diocese through the end of March, to those wishing to avoid large gatherings.

Prevent the spread
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily.

Source: Florida Department of Health

For the latest updates on COVID-19, visit:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Published March 18, 2020

Protect yourself against coronavirus

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Experts advise: Stay informed, take precautions.

The headlines are relentless as news continues to evolve about the threats posed by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

A quarantine is in effect in Northern Italy. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics torch will be lit without spectators. Stock markets have been plunging. People are being warned not to travel on cruise ships.

And, with the lack of a vaccine and antiviral medications for COVID-19, uncertainty continues over how far the disease will spread and how many deaths it will cause.

In the midst of uncertainty and the ever-changing developments, experts are advising the public to take precautions to limit the potential for exposure, and to help reduce the spread of the virus.

In some places, the reactions to the spread of the virus have included closing schools, requiring workers to work at home, and urging elderly people and those with compromised immune systems to limit their activities to avoid exposure.

Those most at risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 include older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease, according to experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Precautions are being taken at the local level.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning is letting the public know how the district is responding to the threat, and offering suggestions to parents as they prepare for Spring Break, which is March 16 to March 20.

Browning shared that information in a video that’s been posted to YouTube.

The Diocese of St. Petersburg also has issued guidance, based on protocols from the CDC.

The Diocese advises individuals to stay home from Mass, church activities and school if they are sick, or their immune system is compromised.

“It is not a sin and it will not impact your  grades,” the Diocesan advisory says.

Practices that may be altered at Mass, because of COVID-19, include the sign of peace, which is typically a handshake. Some churches are opting not to do that.

Others are offering Communion in the form of bread in the hand only, and not on the tongue. Certain parishes also have suspended offering communion in the form of wine, to avoid sharing a common Communion cup.

In a number of televised interviews, experts have said it’s important to take precautions to limit possible exposure.

Washing hands and sanitizing frequently touched surfaces and avoiding touching your face is important, they said, because the virus enters the body through the mouth, hand or nose.

They also said that the number of deaths and disruptions will rise — as efforts continue to limit its spread, isolate those who are infected and develop a vaccine for COVID-19.

Stop the spread of germs
To prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, like COVID-19:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then dispose of the tissue immediately
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose with unwashed hands; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if soap and water are not available
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care

Symptoms for COVID-19

  • Fever, cough, shortness of breath
  • Symptoms typically appear two to 14 days after exposure

Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Keep informed

Published March 11, 2020