COVID-19 vaccinations
The COVID-19 vaccine is in short supply and demand is great,
leading to long lines and frustration for many in the communities served by the
INI Florida Group. In January, the health department in Okeechobee only offered
vaccine appointments to those who came to the department in person, resulting
in seniors camping out overnight for a chance to make an appointment.
The rural communities also found their towns short-changed
on vaccine supply or left out of vaccination plants.
https://southcentralfloridalife.com/stories/rural-counties-shortchanged-on-vaccine-supply,15424?
The INI Florida papers will continue to cover the
vaccination story, giving readers frequent updates online about vaccination
appointments, “first come, first serve” vaccination pods and requirements to
qualify for vaccination.
Lake Okeechobee releases
With Lake Okeechobee about two feet higher than last year,
many local officials and residents are concerned about the future. Water
managers try to start the wet season with the lake at 12.5 feet above sea
level. Current trends indicate the level may be above 14 feet on June 1. If the
summer brings a hurricane, that could send the lake dangerously high,
imperiling the earthen Herbert Hoover Dike. But coast communities don’t want
lake water released because it lowers the salinity in their estuaries. The
INI-Florida group will continue to follow this ongoing story.
