Florida’s recent surge in new COVID-19 cases continued through the weekend. Florida is now averaging 6,058 daily cases over the past week.
Over 7.2 million Floridians have been immunized with at least a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This includes 4.4 million who’ve now completed the series. Starting today, Publix is only accepting appointments for the Moderna vaccine for Friday. The next opportunity to sign up on the Publix site will be for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Wednesday.
HB 1, or the “Anti-Rioting” bill, passed its final Senate Committee on Friday after nearly eight hours of debate. The bill now goes to the full senate for a final vote. Gov. DeSantis backed the bill in response to the riots which broke out in the wake of George Floyd’s death last year. Notably, a riot broke out in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Sunday night after an officer involved shooting. The timing illustrates how quickly gatherings of protestors now occurs and how quickly they can become violent. The Minnesota National Guard had to called in to quell the rioters. This example likely will be used by supporters of the legislation as they attempt to pass it through the legislature.
In other news, a record setting sawfish was measured near Cudjoe Key. The sawfish measured 16 feet and was a mature female that washed ashore. Cause of death isn’t known and may have been natural. Sawfish are endangered and very little is still known about them. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will study the fish as they said they’re still unsure how big they can grow, all habitats they may use and how long they live.