SHARE:
Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Unemployment claims jump back over 1 million; Florida’s claims rise, too
New unemployment claims are back on the rise. Seven days after the weekly number of Americans filing initial claims for unemployment insurance dropped below 1 million for the first time since March, they jumped back into seven figures on Thursday, with 1.1 million new claims filed between Aug. 9 and 15. Florida, too, has seen its number of new claims rise for the first time in a month. New claims for the week ending Aug. 8 were initially reported to be 55,106, but revised this week to 61,584. The number for the week ending Aug. 15: 66,322. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Orlando Sentinel.
Osceola businesses recover safely, creatively
Osceola County businesses are learning to pivot their plans in the recovery efforts in reopening following the statewide shutdown in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Imagination and ingenuity, along with mandated and recommended safety measures, have each played a role for business owners navigating this unprecedented situation. More from the Osceola News-Gazette.
Florida medical marijuana product recalled
The medical-marijuana company Alpha Foliage, Inc.has recalled a product that was dispensed to patients in July because of a mold fungus, the Florida Department of Health’s Office of Medicaid Marijuana Use announced this week. Alpha Foliage, which does business as Surterra Wellness, was ordered to recall the product due to high levels of Aspergillus, a common indoor and outdoor mold. More from WJXT.
In El Salvador, Tampa company plays major role
Sykes’ footprint in El Salvador has grown over the last 16 years, and it has become a leader in the country’s booming call center industry. For Sykes, El Salvador offers eager and relatively inexpensive employees, many with connections to the U.S. For El Salvador, Sykes is helping to fuel the country's sluggish economy. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida and Miami-Dade change plans to host hurricane evacuees in hotel rooms
Florida’s plan to offer hotel rooms to anyone seeking an isolated place to evacuate from a hurricane has changed, according to guidance given to county emergency managers. Now the state plans to offer that option only to people who are COVID-19 positive, “knowingly” exposed to COVID, under quarantine orders, are older than 65 or have a pre-existing condition. More from the Miami Herald.
Health Care
Ascension Sacred Heart's children's hospital $85-million expansion
Only a year after opening, Ascension Sacred Heart’s $85-million, 126-bed Studer Family Children’s Hospital in Pensacola is undergoing a growth spurt. In addition to expansions, the children’s hospital now has 120 physicians covering some 30 pediatric specialties.
» More from Florida Trend.
Out of the Box
At the Death Cafe, the topic is dying with a side of cake
Seven people came to the West Pasco Death Cafe, spread out, masks on, to talk about dying. It’s the one thing we are all guaranteed to do. With COVID-19 deaths climbing toward 10,000 in Florida, our mortality is laid bare with each trip to the store. The Death Cafe is simple as that. Jon Underwood founded it in London in 2011, inspired by the work of Swiss sociologist Bernard Crettaz. Six years later, he died from a brain hemorrhage at 44. Now, there are 11,000 Death Cafes around the world. They are always free. There is always cake.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.
In case you missed it:
