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Florida's Gradual Reopening; Unemployment Issues

CHRIS O'MEARA / ASSOCIATED PRESS
A food server wears a protective face mask as he delivers food to customers at the Parkshore Grill restaurant Monday, May 4, 2020, in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Some areas of Florida, such as Miami, are just beginning to reopen parts of their economy, while others, like Jacksonville, are planning to expand their reopening. Ron DeSantis announced Friday in Jacksonville that restaurants, stores, and museums can ramp up to operating at 50 percent capacity. Gyms can reopen Monday. 

Public media reporters from across the state joined us to share how the reopening has been going in their areas. They included: 

We also spoke with Dr. Tom Hladish, a University of Florida Research Scientist who specializes in disease modeling. He has been a consultant to the state's health department, looking into  what precautions may be necessary to help prevent a second wave of the outbreak from occurring as Florida reopens.

Unemployment Issues

Due to the rise of unemployment claims in the state, many people are left frustrated with problems tied to the state’s system, including the call-takers themselves. We spoke with Jamie Guirola of NBC 6 about what these call-takers are being told to say; and State Representative Anna Eskamani about her efforts to get  answers about the system from the state and help get her constituents unemployment relief.

Denetra Lee can be reached at newsteam@wjct.org.

WJCT INTERN - SUMMER 2020