On this Monday, January 24, edition of Sundial:
Monoclonal treatments
COVID-19 infections are down in Florida, after the holidays and Omicron.
Even the number of ICU beds being used is down. But, we’re not out of the woods — there are still a lot of questions about the best treatments for the virus. Especially if you get the Omicron variant.
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Experts say the best possible way to protect oneself is through vaccination. Still, more centers for monoclonal treatments are popping up across South Florida.
“The virus seems to penetrate our cells and then it causes damage. The sooner you can get here, you'll have relief of symptoms and stop any further problems if you have any underlying conditions,” said Toni Rollé, the lead nurse at The West Boynton Recreation Center.
Sundial was joined by WLRN’s Healthcare reporter Veronica Zaragovia and WLRN’s Palm Beach County reporter Wilkine Brutus to discuss these treatments for the virus.
You can make an appointment for COVID testing, vaccination or treatment here.
Homelessness in Miami
The City of Miami is infusing more money into efforts to try and reduce homelessness, using $3.1 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.
The goal is to reduce homelessness in Miami down to "functional zero." What that actually means is in question.
“It really is a measurable end to homelessness, and being able to sustain that with the right systems in place. Certainly, that is a target and a goal," said Symeria Hudson, President and CEO of Chapman Partnership. "That's something that many have been working toward for quite some time."
The Chapman Partnership was awarded $200,000 to boost workforce training programs, as part of the funding breakdown.
But the decision comes after a string of recent restrictions from the city, including banning encampments, restricting where and how aid groups can feed people, and even creating a program where city residents can “adopt” people experiencing homelessness.
"In order for us to truly end homelessness in Miami, we must first stop the criminalization of homelessness," David Peery said. He is the Chair of the Consumer Advisory Board of the Camillus Health Concern community clinic, which serves the homeless population of Miami. He's also the Executive Director of the Miami Coalition to Advance Racial Equity – or MCARE. He continued:
“Quite frankly, I'm not aware of what functional zero actually is. It appears to be something different than zero, and so there's somewhat of a misnomer in what it means. I would take that it is a well-intentioned, good-faith effort to end homelessness. But quite frankly, it's not at all clear as to exactly what it is, and the definition tends to vary depending on who you talk to."
Miami Beach might lose historic Deauville hotel
Miami Beach is about to lose one of its historic sites — the Deauville Beach Resort.
It’s the place where America fell in love with the Beatles. They played live on the “Ed Sullivan Show” in 1964 and it was broadcast from one of the hotel’s ballrooms.
The resort also hosted President John F. Kennedy, Frank Sinatra and Samuel George Davis Jr.
Now, it’s in danger of being demolished after a report found structural damage.
"We just need to be a little more careful and better stewards of our history," said Bob Kealing, who is an author publishing a book about the Beatles’ time in Florida and has been outspoken about preserving the Deauville. Learn more about those efforts here.
