Florida teachers sue over school reopenings as US COVID-19 cases mount

COLOMBO (News 1st); The EU has urged Sri Lanka to continue reducing the use of the PTA, and to undertake further practical and administrative steps to release on bail those detained under the PTA without charges.The European Union (EU) and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka held their 24th meeting of the Joint Commission on 8th February 2022 in Brussels.During the meeting, Sri Lanka reiterated its objective to achieve measurable, tangible, and verifiable results on the ground in meeting its commitments.In this context, the EU welcomed the submission by the Government of Sri Lanka of amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - A juror in the Scott Peterson trial has been offered immunity before testifying at a hearing that could determine whether a new trial is granted, authorities said.Richelle Nice was Juror 7 in the trial that ended with Peterson's conviction for killing his pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son. However, Peterson's attorney said Nice was guilty of juror misconduct because she failed to reveal during the jury selection that she had been beaten by a boyfriend while she was pregnant. He said Peterson deserves a new trial.The offer to Nice will come before she testifies at a Feb.

Convicted rapist and murderer Wayne Couzens has been placed in isolation after catching coronavirus in prison with reports suggesting he is "suffering badly".

Train services are set to increase again as ScotRail recovers from staff shortages following a Covid surge over the festive period.

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 1: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks during a news conference after a lunch meeting with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill February 1, 2022 in Washington, DC. McConnell told reporters he disagrees with fo WASHINGTON - Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is going against the Republican National Committee calling the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services, Dr. Hemanth Herath has slammed the organizing of mass gatherings in the wake of the COVID-19 spread in the island.‘This is not something that needs to be said over again.

Truckers paralysing the Canadian capital in anger at Covid rules show no sign of backing down, as several of the nation's provinces announced it was time to roll back restrictions that count among the world's toughest.

First nasal spray for covid-19 treatment in India: For the treatment of adult patients suffering from Covid-19, pharma company Glenmark has launched Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (FabiSpray) in India. The nasal spray was launched by the pharma company in partnership with SaNOtize. "Phase 3 trial in India met the key endpoints and demonstrated reduction of viral load of 94 per cent in 24 hours and 99 per cent in 48 hours. Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (NONS) was safe and well-tolerated in COVID-19 patients. Glenmark to market NONS under the brand name FabiSpray," the company said in a statement.

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ladies tights such as pantyhose on your face could reduce the risk of getting Covid, more so than masks.A major risk identified with commonly worn face masks is that they do not fit tightly enough to block viral particles from being inhaled or exhaled significantly.Cambridge University researchers have tested seven hacks to improve the fit of masks.Their new study outlined DIY hacks people have used to make masks fit better, including using rubber bands or tape.They found the most effective tactic was to wrap pantyhose around the bottom half of the face or on top of a mask.Researchers have said that this could reduce the number of viral particles by up to seven times more than a loose mask on its own by sealing the gaps around the nose and mouth.They raised that the social and physical impact of wearing tights on your face in public was "unlikely to be tolerated for an extended period of time".Tight-fitting medical masks are great at blocking out the virus, but many describe them as uncomfortable.The study raised that the most common surgical or cloth masks are far less resistant to Covid.Cambridge researchers recruited four volunteers to try seven different mask hacks - the study looked at both surgical and KN95 masks.Other methods included tying the ear bands to make the masks fit more tightly or stuffing the gaps with bandages.Participants did seven minutes of various exercises designed to mimic real-world interactions such as talking, smiling, nodding and eating.The researchers measured how well the masks fit by monitoring the filtration efficiency and calculating a 'fit factor' score.Pantyhose and cloth tape were most effective, increasing the fit factor by 27.7 and 14.7.Surgical masks performed better if worn in

Epik High frontman Tablo has tested positive for COVID-19.OURS, Epik High’s management agency, confirmed the news through a press statement released earlier today (February 9).“Tablo experienced minor symptoms on February 3 and underwent PCR testing, and his results came back negative the next day (January 4),” the agency said, as translated by Soompi. “However, he voluntarily got tested again on February 8, and his results came back positive this morning.”The statement also noted that the rest of Epik High and staff members who were recently in contact with Tablo underwent rapid antigen testing following the hip-hop artist’s diagnosis.

As Central Floridians prepare for Hurricane Isaias, many families are struggling to make ends meet because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts say you can still be prepared for this hurricane season without breaking your budget. As Florida braces for Hurricane Isaias, Gov.

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Officials with Flagler County’s Emergency Operation Center are expected to provide an update Friday ahead of Hurricane Isaias.A state of emergency has been declared along Florida’s east coast.[LIVE TRACK: Forecast cone, computer models, updates and more for Hurricane Isaias]Gov. Ron DeSantis made the announcement Friday morning during a brief press appearance in Tallahassee.

ORLANDO, Fla. – With the month of July almost in the rear-view mirror, Florida prepares to begin a new school year and conduct a presidential primary election during the ongoing pandemic.With a new month ahead, Florida reported 9,007 new cases on Friday, bringing the state’s overall total of COVID-19 cases to 470,386 since March 1. For the past six days, the state has reported under 10,000 new cases.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to speak Thursday at 5:20 p.m.

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis was busy watching a launch Thursday on Florida’s coast and missed President Donald Trump’s tweet calling to delay the 2020 election but when asked about a possible delay the governor said “Florida will be good to go.”Trump tweeted Thursday: “With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history.

after the successful launch of NASA’s next Mars rover, named Perseverance.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The executive order from Gov. Ron DeSantis to temporarily suspended all evictions and foreclosures for non-payment related to COVID-19 has been extended until Sept.

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Parents across Florida have had to decide whether to keep their students home or to send them back to schools in August amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, while Florida Gov.

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Now that Florida is in the cone of uncertainty for a disturbance in the Caribbean that’s predicted to become Tropical Storm Isaias, Gov.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he might extend the statewide moratorium on housing evictions that is set to expire on Saturday.DeSantis signaled the possibility of the extension during a roundtable discussion in Orlando about the coronavirus pandemic Tuesday, saying officials will have “something on that soon.” The moratorium, which was implemented in April, allows people to avoid eviction from their homes amid the virus outbreak.The governor has previously extended the ban twice, hours before it was set to expire, news outlets reported.

Florida's coronavirus death toll surpassed 6,000 today as the disease claimed another 186 lives in its relentless march through the southeast US state, health officials said.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he's thinking about opening up nursing homes and assisted living facilities to visitation after months of touting his efforts to protect what he says are the people most vulnerable to the coronavirus.DeSantis made his comments after a discussion with doctors at an Orlando hospital on Tuesday.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis will be in Orlando Tuesday meeting with medical experts about the ongoing pandemic as the Florida Department of Health reported 191 fatalities from the virus, the most reported since the virus arrived in Florida.The DOH reported 9,230 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, bringing the state’s total of all confirmed coronavirus cases since the disease was first detected in the state on March 1 to 441,977.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Bars and craft breweries closed for the second time during the coronavirus pandemic in Florida on June 26, after contact tracing linked several outbreaks of the virus to bars, according the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.Craft brewery owners say that move was unfair. Business owners say, their breweries are distinct from bars in that most are not open late and do not cater to the same type of close contact socializing.Because of that the Florida Brewers Guild has issued an open letter to Gov.

WPLG reports Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday will allow you to save some money next month.The three-day event runs Aug. 7-9.Clothing, footwear and certain accessories that sell for $60 or less will be exempt from sale tax, as will be school supplies $15 and under and the first $1,000 of the sales price of personal computers and certain computer-related accessories.There are some exceptions, so check the full list at the bottom of this page.

The number of Covid-19 cases in Florida has risen by 9,300 to 423,855 - making it the second worst-hit state in the US, just behind California with 448,497 infections.

MIAMI – Vice President Mike Pence and Gov. Ron DeSantis will attend a COVID-19 roundtable Monday at the UHealth Don Soffer Clinical Research Center in South Florida.Pence is scheduled to hold a news conference at 2:15 p.m.Pence’s visit comes the same day as the world’s biggest COVID-19 vaccine study got underway with the first of 30,000 planned volunteers helping to test shots created by the U.S.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Holly Hill mayor Chris Via announced he has tested positive for COVID-19.He had to get a second coronavirus test after results from his first test never came.It has been 17 days since his first COVID-19 test, the results were from his second test.Mayor Via said he was in contact with someone who had the virus.Via said he feels great now, but at one point he was feeling exhausted, had headaches and was experiencing shortness of breath.He said no one should wait more than nine days for results.16 mayors in Volusia County sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis to have symptomatic coronavirus testing lanes in the county.Four other counties in the state have drive thru symptomatic lanes.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has directed the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to increase inspections to make sure businesses are following COVID-19 guidelines.The Public Health Advisory said Floridians should wear masks in any setting where social distancing is not possible.The advisory lists the following exceptions: Anyone above the age of 65 or anyone who is high-risk should limit personal interactions outside of their home, according to the public health advisory.People should also refrain from attending gatherings of 50+.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis expressed confidence Tuesday that Florida will soon contain its coronavirus outbreak and that hospitals can handle the current influx of patients, putting forward a positive case even as the state's average daily death toll is now the nation's worst.DeSantis told reporters at a state capitol news conference that hospital admissions and the percentage of tests coming back positive seem to be plateauing or declining in much of the state and that hospitals have sufficient capacity in their intensive care units and overall.“The trend is much better today than it was two weeks ago,” DeSantis said.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said he is happy schools in Florida have given parents the option of sending their child to school in the fall or to participate in online learning.“Our kids play the smallest role in the transmission of the virus,” Gov.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Former Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum discussed his battle with depression and alcoholism Monday during his first public statement since entering rehab in March.Gillum apologized to supporters in an 11-minute Instagram video and explained that the depression he had been fighting for years worsened after losing his 2018 race to Gov. Ron DeSantis.“I totally underestimated the impact that losing the race for governor had on my life,” Gillum said.Gillum thanked his wife for her support in the video.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – All 16 mayors and County Chair Ed Kelley signed a letter asking Gov. Ron DeSantis for expedited symptomatic COVID-19 testing lanes in Volusia County.

TALLAHASSEE – With the start of the fall semester just weeks away, the Florida Education Association has filed a lawsuit against the governor and other state leaders claiming that reopening schools in August will create an unsafe environment due to the coronavirus pandemic.The lawsuit, filed Monday in Miami, names Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez as defendants.The FEA alleges that although in-person instruction is the most effective for students, opening up classrooms in August could lead to a spike in COVID-19 cases and put teachers, students and other on-campus staff at risk of becoming ill.“Gov.

ORLANDO, Fla. – A news conference Gov.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY – Gov.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – An Orange County resident tells News 6 on the heels of the Governor’s announcement saying more money will be given for housing assistance, she still hasn’t received any funds.[RELATED: Florida begins distributing CARES Act money to counties for rent, mortgage assistance]On Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $75 million dollars form the federal CARES Act would be distributed to counties throughout the state to provide housing relief caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.Megan Gee said she was out of work for several months as an office manager because of the COVID-19 shutdowns.“My mortgage is a month behind,” Gee said.

More than 4,900 Floridians have died from the coronavirus, according to the department of health.News 6 asked Gov. Ron DeSantis about it.“Governor we’ve had nearly 5,000 fatalities in the state.

HOLLY HILL, Fla. – Thursday marks 10 days since Holly Hill Mayor Chris Via was tested for COVID-19 at the Volusia County Fairgrounds and he’s still waiting for his results.“We were told within 48 to 72 hours we would know if we were positive or if we were negative,” Via said.Via said he’s been self-isolating out of an abundance of caution but knows not all residents can do the same.[INTERACTIVE MAP: Here’s where to get your drive-thru coronavirus test]“Citizens have called me and said, ‘Listen, I don’t know if I’m sick or not. I haven’t been able to get my test results back but I have to go to work.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – More than a month ago, Florida began seeing a rise in novel coronavirus cases by the thousands per day after Gov. Ron DeSantis reopened the state for businesses and there are no signs the infections will slow anytime soon, according to the latest data available from the Florida Department of Health.While most people who test positive for COVID-19 will have minor or no symptoms at all, those aren’t the cases concerning health officials.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Senate Democrats want to scale back economic-reopening efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, as Gov. Ron DeSantis maintains his approach has been taken with an “eye towards what’s sustainable.”In a conference call Wednesday with reporters, Democrats continued to push for a statewide mandatory mask requirement as they offered a “Step Back to Safety” plan.Sen.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis was the special guest who opened up the meeting for the Florida Board of Education Wednesday morning.It is a standard meeting with a long list of agenda items, but what took the spotlight in the first few minutes was the state’s plan to reopen schools and how the state plans to distribute federal CARES Act funds for education. “I know a lot of parents are trying to figure out what’s going to happen,” DeSantis said about schools reopening.

MIAMI, Fla. – Among the requests from Miami-Dade County mayors when it comes to Florida’s coronavirus response is a statewide mask mandate.A round-table discussion took place Tuesday and gave the mayors a chance to provide a status update on their local positivity rates and hospital capacity and it let them express their concerns to Gov. Ron DeSantis.A top doctor on Monday warned that Miami is becoming the “epicenter of the pandemic” and the situation there is “extremely grave.” Officials said that as of Tuesday, there are about 2,000 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the county.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was heckled as he held a news conference on Monday alongside Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, to address a record rise in coronavirus cases in the state.

MIAMI, Fla. - A protester interrupted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s coronavirus update on Monday, July 13.Thomas Kennedy shouted “shame on you” at the governor and called DeSantis an “embarrassment” during the incident.Kennedy posted about the protest on Twitter, writing: “I just interrupted a press conference in Miami-Dade to let governor @RonDeSantisFL and @MayorGimenez know they are an embarrassment to FL and that their incompetence and lack of planning has resulted in the current public health crisis. 4,381 people have died so far in FL.”In the video, Kennedy can be heard saying: "You are an embarrassment.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Gov.