Thursday, April 30, 2020

State reopening plans & coronavirus curve flattening in Central Florida

Start your day with a quick digest of today's top Central Florida headlines.

Orlando Sentinel

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April 30, 2020

orlandosentinel.com

Orlando Morning Report

The coronavirus curve is flattening in Central Florida. Here's what the data looks like

Officials across Central Florida say the region is inching closer to reopening businesses after a six-week shutdown of theme parks, restaurant dining rooms, shops, hair salons and other companies.Among the most important data points to consider are the number of new confirmed cases of the coronavirus as testing expands to more and more people as well as the number of people dying from the virus.

Reopening Florida: Gov. DeSantis orders first steps following coronavirus crisis

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday announces the lifting of some restrictions contained in his statewide stay-at-home order issued April 1 brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

Florida's death toll grows to 1,218 with 33,193 coronavirus cases

Among the most important data points to consider are the number of new confirmed cases as testing expands to more people and the number of fatalities. Fewer than 6% of the 25,000 tests given in Orange County are positive. Emergency room visits also are down across Central Florida.  

Doctors: Orange County businesses could open soon. But safety protocols in dispute

Doctors from Orlando's two major hospital systems agreed Wednesday morning that businesses and restaurants can begin to open as early as Friday, but offered differing viewpoints on a key safety measure: whether all customers should have their temperatures checked.

Seminole eases social distancing order, allowing churches to hold limited services

Seminole County on Wednesday announced it would ease its county's social distancing order and, in effect, allow religious organizations to hold limited services.Under the county's new executive order, which takes effect Monday, indoor gatherings – such as a church service -- will be allowed as long as people are six feet apart and the structure's occupancy is not more than 25% of what Seminole requires in its fire code.

Clermont police officer dies of COVID-19: 'A good cop and a great man'

A Clermont Police officer died Tuesday after weeks of fighting COVID-19.

Florida superintendents warn of school 'catastrophe,' seek federal aid

Superintendents in Florida's largest school districts join counterparts across the nation in warning of an "educational catastrophe," if public schools don't get an infusion of federal aid for the coming academic year.

Thank you for reading. And no thank you for beer-sale bans. | Commentary

Thank you to Sentinel readers during trying, pandemic times. No thank you to Orange County and other governments that restrict beer and wine sales during normal business hours, columnist Scott Maxwell says.

Darden Restaurants reopens Olive Garden, other chains in some states with masks, temperature checks

Darden has reopened about 100 restaurants in Georgia and 11 in three counties in Tennessee, but with restrictions and safety measures like temperature checks for employees.

NBA reportedly eyes Disney World as option to host games

The NBA reportedly is eyeing the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Disney World property as it continues to explores ways to potentially resume the season suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

NCAA board approves athletes getting paid for endorsements with limits

The NCAA Board of Governors approved a proposal that allows athletes to profit from endorsement and promotional deals, a monumental change for college athletics expected to be approved by all members in January and go into effect in 2021.

A week in Orlando's arts scene: What's happening without shows? Plenty

There's more going on -- so much more going on -- than meets the eye.

Do your Derby despite: Celebrating race tradition with food, drink, dress

The Run for the Roses may be postponed, but that's no reason to keep your hats in the closet or your bourbon in the liquor cabinet.

Pictures: Florida specialty license plates

Florida has more than 120 specialty license plates available. View the plates as well as older designs and plates no longer available.