Florida knew a COVID-19 pandemic was likely. State leaders didn’t warn the public.

Three months ago, Floridians were celebrating Valentine’s Day unaware that the novel coronavirus posed any real threat to their lives, or that it was likely already spreading through the state. No one had told them to be worried. While the public was kept in the dark, top Florida health officials were scrambling to come up with a plan for a crisis they knew was upon them, according to internal Florida Department of Health data. [Source: Miami Herald]

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» Florida made $283 million in deals because it feared COVID-19

Florida Trend Exclusive
Judy Genshaft is a Florida Icon

The former USF president tells us: "When I arrived in 2000, USF was at a point where it was moving in a horizontal- line trajectory, and if someone didn’t pick it up and move it, the line was going to fall. So, I immediately put the emphasis on research and teaching and service to the community." [Source: Florida Trend]

Latest Nielsen, USF study shows economic impact of coronavirus on Floridians

Floridians have been hard-hit economically by coronavirus, according to a new report by Nielsen and the University of South Florida. The pair teamed up in April to conduct a number of studies focusing on coronavirus and its impact on the Sunshine State. In this newly released study, Floridians showed how hard they've been hit economically during the pandemic. The study says 60 percent of respondents are concerned about meeting their financial obligations in the next three months. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]

As COVID-19 cases and deaths rise, Florida prisons boss says ‘major facilities’ dodged spread

As cases of COVID-19, the highly contagious disease caused by the novel coronavirus, started to spread in Florida the first week of March, the state’s Department of Corrections announced its commitment to handling any potential cases in keeping with federal guidelines. The Department of Corrections has said in statements that it has ramped up health services, reviews of medical equipment, routine temperature checks and medical isolation measures for inmates with symptoms. [Source: Miami Herald]

Putting Florida's bartenders back to work with virtual cocktail events -- delivery included

South Florida’s hospitality industry may be sputtering back to life even if bars — as of now — are still closed. One new non-profit aims to put bartenders back to work ... virtually. Companies and groups can set up live-streaming, hands-on, happy hours through CompanyToast, which delivers alcohol, mixers, ingredients and bar tools to the door of the participants. The bartender then hosts a virtual cocktail-making event. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Court backs FPL in Broward nursing home case [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
A state appeals court Wednesday rejected a lawsuit that alleged negligence by Florida Power & Light when residents of a Broward County nursing home were stuck in sweltering conditions after Hurricane Irma in 2017. A three-judge panel upheld a circuit court decision that dismissed the allegations made against FPL by Christine Cooper, who was a resident of The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills.

› Derby Lane spectators ‘comfortable’ with safety precautions in return to the track [Tampa Bay Times]
Let history show that at 12:31 p.m. Wednesday, live pro sports — with fans — returned to Tampa Bay. And that Oshkosh Wendy broke from the box first and won the opening race — paying a solid $10.60 — as Derby Lane resumed somewhat normal operations.

› Some Miami commercial landlords to continue rent relief, despite county re-openings [Miami Herald]
Within days of the pandemic shutdown, tenants and landlords were negotiating rent abatements. Though government have eased restrictions, retailers and restaurateurs expect the recovery to be a long, slow road. And that means rent relief discussions are still on the table.

› Florida company goes from manufacturing arcade games to making hand sanitizer stations [WKMG]
For 50 years, Bob’s Space Racers in Holly Hill has been manufacturing large arcade games for amusement parks and fairs--including a favorite of many, whac-a-mole, which was invented by the company’s founder. Now, the Volusia County business is making hand sanitizer stations to help out during the coronavirus pandemic.

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› Norwegian, Royal Caribbean cancel cruises through July [Orlando Sentinel]
Norwegian Cruise Line canceled all cruises through July 31 in an update Wednesday while Royal Caribbean is set to follow suit, joining other cruise lines already pushing plans to return to sailing in a world in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. All cruise lines are under a “no sail order" from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that prohibit sailing from U.S. ports into late July.

› Sarasota School Board says no to moving tax vote [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Tempers flared at the Sarasota County School Board work session on Tuesday, as board members debated the prospect of moving a property tax renewal referendum from a special election in March 2022 to this November’s general election. Ultimately, the board opted against moving the date of the referendum, but the discussion pitted the three longest-serving members against colleagues Bridget Ziegler and Eric Robinson, who say the special election minimizes voter turnout and wastes district money.

› New needle exchange program in Orange aims to prevent infections and educate users on dangers of abuse [Orlando Sentinel]
Needle exchange programs were illegal in Florida a year ago. Now Orange County may get one. County commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday that will allow the county to establish an exchange program designed to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases among intravenous drug users, their sexual partners and their children, who often bear the consequences of addiction.

› Monorail project advances. Next up: Reducing $60M yearly bill to county taxpayers [Miami Herald]
Genting and partners were the only bidders in a transportation competition launched at their request last year, and Miami-Dade commissioners on Tuesday agreed to consider the lone proposal to build a $770 million monorail system linking Miami with Miami Beach.