Start your Monday with news from WUWF
Weekly COVID Update
Florida reported an additional 1,234 COVID deaths according to the Florida Department of Health's weekly coronavirus report.
It’s the largest weekly increase in deaths since the week ending Oct. 7, 2021. The state’s COVID-19 overall death toll is 66,279.
The United States surpassed 900,000 COVID deaths on Friday.
The state reported an additional 132,622 coronavirus cases for the week ending Thursday, down from 198,718 the week before. Florida's positivity rate dropped to 5.5% from 18%.
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Today marks National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The annual observance, held on February 7, started in 1999 as a way to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS prevention, care, and treatment in communities of color. Escambia County has the highest total number of HIV cases in the region and also the highest percentage of cases among African-Americans. Advocates are working to get the word out about preventative measures.
Sea turtle conversation
This week, the Okaloosa County Coastal Resource team is collaborating with Coastal Connections to host a Sea Turtle Conservation and Community Sustainability Workshop. The two-part workshop aims to educate the public about best practices, and also to coordinate and discuss the efforts of sea turtle permit holders and local conservation organizations.
2022 Winter Olympics
The Winter Olympics kicked off Friday in Beijing. Some athletes and officials have reported nightmarish conditions like poor to no internet connection, bad food, and no training equipment, in the so-called quarantine hotels set up by Chinese officials.
Tiny homes a solution for homelessness?
With housing costs rising, tiny homes are spreading as a solution to homelessness in California, Indiana, Missouri, Oregon, and beyond. NPR reports how social workers are getting creative to put roofs over heads. This solution was also discussed in Pensacola. Check out this story from Sandra Averhart in 2021.