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First Coast Connect

The COVID Pandemic, 1 Year In; Critical Thinking; Proposed Gas Tax Hike

In this Feb. 8, 2021, file photo, Florida seniors have their temperatures taken before receiving the second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Jackson Health System in Miami.
Marta Lavindier
/
Associated Press

It has now been a full year since the documented start of the COVID-19 pandemic here in the U.S.

We - along with the rest of the country - are taking a look back at what we’ve learned, the progress we’ve made, and what lies ahead. Dr. Jeffrey Goldhagen, Chief of the Division of Community and Societal Pediatrics at UF Health Jacksonville joined us to discuss all this - and more.  

Critical Thinking

New researchsuggests that those with extremist views have difficulty with complex mental tasks, thinking critically has become scarce. The health, safety and economy of America are all at risk because of it. Professor and critical thinking analyst Steven J. Pearlman's latest book is called America’s Critical Thinking Crisis: The Failure and Promise of Education and tackles the topic. He joined us for a closer look.

Gas Tax Increase

Mayor Lenny Curry and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority have been discussing the possibility of doubling the city's local gas tax to help cover transportation projects. David Bauerlein of the Florida Times Union has been covering the topic, and shared the latest with us. 

Safe Future Foundation

The Safe Future Foundation has been a huge help for families in need locally by providing diapers and food. Alvina Tobey of  the Foundation joined us with details.  

Patrick Cantin can be reached at newsteam@wjct.org and on Twitter.  

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Patrick Cantin is joining WJCT from the University of North Florida as a news intern for the fall 2020 semester.