On July 28, News 4 Jax anchorVic Micolucci published an article announcing that he has COVID-19. Despite exercising regularly, eating well, and social distancing, the virus took a toll on Micolucci, who is slowly recovering.
He wrote, “The coronavirus has tried to dominate my body. When I think I’m getting better, I regress. I get up and move around. I get hit with a tight chest and coughing. I have trouble breathing.”
Upon diagnosis, Micolucci isolated himself, contacted his HR administrator, and alerted everyone with whom he recently came into contact. He emphasized the importance of safety protocols and wearing a mask warning, “We cannot become lax.”
In his statement, Micolucci wrote, “this is the sickest I’ve ever been in my adult life.”
We spoke with Micolucci, who wants the public to know that anyone, including a young, healthy person like himself, can contract COVID-19. To the best of his knowledge, Micolucci said he has not passed the virus along to anyone else.
RELATED: Local, State, And National Coronavirus Coverage
News4Jax is a WJCT News partner.
Teachers Fear Going Back To School
Florida’s largest teachers union has sued to keep teachers out of brick and mortar classrooms later this month. Local teachers are concerned about their own safety and the safety of their students.
We spoke with Bill Hudson, who teaches design and engineering at Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School about the situation. He is 65-years-old and at high risk of contracting COVID-19.
Save Our Stages
The Save Our Stages Act is bipartisan federal legislation designed to offer relief to entertainment venues in the wake of COVID-19. The Act proposes a $10 billion grant to be administered by the SBA with the option of future grants if necessary. Venues can use the grant for operating costs, PPE, administrative costs, or taxes.
We spoke to Florida Theatre CEO, Numa Saessalin, about COVID-19’s impact on Jacksonville’s theatre community.
Flamingo Magazine
Florida’s only statewide lifestyle magazine, Flamingo Magazine, is getting creative with its distribution. The award-winning magazine recently made the transition from a print publication to a digital one. With advertising budgets stretched thin, publisher Jamie Rich has launched a membership drive to keep the magazine afloat. We spoke with her about the transition and what readers can expect.
Katherine Hobbs can be reached at newsteam@wjct.org or on Twitter at @KatherineGHobbs.
