The changing face of coronavirus in Florida: Younger victims, and what that means

The age of typical coronavirus victims has plummeted in Florida, shifting away from the elderly, in a change with significant implications for the disease’s future. The median age for coronavirus victims went from 65 at the beginning of March to 36 this week, according to the Florida Department of Health. The decline reflects both increased testing and the disease’s broader spread through the state’s population, as lockdowns fade and businesses reopen, according to epidemiologists. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

See also:
» Florida closing in on 100,000 coronavirus infections after adding 3,494 cases Sunday
» Hospitals filling up, encountering a new kind of coronavirus patient
» ‘All Individuals Should Wear Masks’ According To New Florida Health Advisory
» DeSantis: ‘Vast majority’ of Florida’s new COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic young people

Florida sees rise in background checks for gun purchases

More Floridians are considering buying guns, according to state records that show a dramatic rise in the number of background checks its processed since the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. The Tampa Bay Times reports that Florida has processed 30,657 background checks in the week after Floyd’s May 25 death, after a police officer pressed his knee against the black man’s neck. The number of background checks was twice the number for the same period last year. [Source: AP]

Cruise lines to suspend sailing from U.S. ports into September

Cruise lines have agreed to suspend sailing from U.S. ports until Sept. 15, trade group Cruise Lines International Association announced Friday. The cruise industry shut down in March ahead of a no-sail order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still in place that prevents any ship from sailing from U.S. ports. in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus. Florida is home to the top three ports in the world for passenger traffic: Miami, Port Canaveral and Port Everglades. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Concern throughout NBA grows as coronavirus cases spike in Florida

The surging number of coronavirus cases in Florida, which posted a record high Saturday for the third consecutive day, has raised concerns in many corners of the NBA, from players to team executives to the league office itself, as it prepares to resume play in Orlando next month. [Source: ESPN]

Florida governor stiffens penalties against bear poaching

Black bears, once a threatened species in Florida, will get stiffened protections against poachers, some of whom see the animals resurgence as a growing nuisance. Gov. Ron DeSantis agreed to increase the penalties against illegal bear hunting to further deter hunters from killing the once-imperiled creatures. The bill was among a slate of 21 pieces of legislation the governor signed Saturday. [Source: AP]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› ‘Incredible’ Jacksonville-area nonprofits recognized for collaboration, innovation [Florida Times-Union]
Seven Northeast Florida nonprofits have been honored for going above and beyond to serve the community in the past year, including four organizations that launched projects related to the coronavirus pandemic. The two “Local Focus. Lasting Impact” awards were founded in 2011 by the Nonprofit Center, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida and the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. This year, five other organizations were honored through the new “Moments Recognition Program” created because of the “unique circumstances the pandemic created” for the nonprofit community, according to the center.

› Fort Lauderdale may get federal help fixing dirty waterways [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Sullied by toxic sewage, Fort Lauderdale waterways are in desperate need of a cleanup that could cost millions — but there’s a chance the federal government might help foot the bill. U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, wrapping up a two-state tour Sunday in Fort Lauderdale, hinted at the possibility to Mayor Dean Trantalis during a meeting atop a parking garage that overlooks the Las Olas Marina.

› Royal Caribbean’s payment vendor Wirecard reports $2.1 billion missing cash [Miami Herald]
The company that Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. uses to process crew payments, Wirecard, said Thursday that auditors cannot locate $2.1 billion in cash on its balance sheet, raising concerns among cruise employees. The Munich, Germany-based fintech company has been plagued by allegations of financial mismanagement and wrongdoing for the last few years. On Thursday, Wirecard suspended its chief operating officer after announcing the $2.1 billion shortfall.

› Downtown Jacksonville businesses watching for security zone details of GOP convention [Florida Times-Union]
The Republican National Convention could put a large swath of downtown Jacksonville into a security zone with regulations that would affect how demonstrations play out during the week of the convention. The city and the 2020 Jacksonville Host Committee have not yet provided details about the scope of that zone. But a Downtown Investment Authority board member said he’s heard it could extend from VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena to Hogan Street, which is a distance of almost a mile in that direction.

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› Health giant Florida Blue to invest $25 million in Black communities around Florida [Miami Herald]
A health industry giant is pledging millions of dollars to address racial injustices and inequities in Black communities around the state. Guidewell Mutual Holding Corporation, the Jacksonville-based nonprofit that owns Florida Blue (an independent licensee of Blue Cross Blue Shield); Truli for Health; Diagnostic Clinic Medical Group and a number of other healthcare companies will invest $25 million over five years through its philanthropic arm Florida Blue Foundation.

› Amid crisis, boutique investment firm lands an ace [Business Observer]
Fifth Avenue Family Office, a Naples-based boutique investment firm, picked quite a time — a worldwide pandemic — to start a new angel investment fund. Adding to the unique challenge: It hired a fresh-out-of-college, 20-something to run it. But innovation and bucking trends is what the firm’s Tamiami Angel Funds are all about.

› College athlete sues Disney World, saying he lost a season after being run over by a scooter [Orlando Sentinel]
An accident during his Disney World vacation cost a college basketball player his season, a new lawsuit filed against the theme park alleges. As David Maynard walked through Hollywood Studios, an electric scooter driver approached from behind and ran into him in May 2018, the lawsuit says. The crash severed 97% of his left Achilles tendon, which required surgery and extensive physical rehabilitation, the suit says.

› Beckham’s Inter Miami stadium complex plan makes big promises. But many questions loom [Miami Herald]
When retired footballer David Beckham and his Miami partners won voters’ support for a massive soccer and commercial complex on public land, they effectively kicked a long, bending ball the length of the pitch, looking to connect for a winning score that would finally bring high-level professional play to the city.