Appears @GovRonDeSantis asked only health experts who agree with his long-held stances that masks/lockdowns don't work to speak @ the public health roundtable @ the Florida Capitol today. I've talked to plenty of others who have different views. But those aren't represented here. Nearly all the questions the governor has asked have been leading, as if he knows the answer that is coming. Most of the things being said here are unproven at minimum. Others are blatantly untrue and have been disproven by federal health agencies.

Just talked to site commander Carole Covey. She said it’s following both state and federal eligibility rules.

That means any Floridian 60+ can get a shot here, per @GovRonDeSantis’ order. Daycare, pre-K and K12 employees can get shots, per directive by @POTUS. @TB_Times

https://twitter.com/mareevs/status/1371513749090230281

Apparently the site was slow over the weekend, but today is its busiest day yet, Covey said.

She said most shots today have gone to people 60-64 who became eligible for vaccines today. @TB_Times

Here at the Tampa Greyhound Track coronavirus vaccination site off Waters Avenue. There’s a fairly steady stream of cars coming in, parking and going into these tents for shots. @TB_Times I’m hearing that the site is following state eligibility rules, meaning no one under 50 could get a shot here. That’s different than what we were told a week ago, and I’m seeing younger people in line. Trying to get some clarity.

So the White House coronavirus task force sends weekly updates to each state. @GovRonDeSantis' office has reports for 11/15 and 11/22, but it hasn't released them.

Some media outlets have gotten the docs elsewhere and reported that Florida is in a "viral resurgence" of cases. I asked @GovRonDeSantis' office for the reports yesterday morning. I didn't get a response until the afternoon, and it didn't include the reports.

After asking again, I was told they're being reviewed for public release, even though there is no non-public information in them.

I sat in on a @NationalNurses presser today and let me tell you, nurses are hurting. They're working on floors they aren't trained for. They have too many patients and not enough protective equipment. They're getting sick and quitting, all while COVID-19 cases keep pouring in. One nurse said:

"Last week I reached a point where I was numb. I didn't even feel tired. I couldn’t feel happy. I didn’t feel angry. I didn’t feel frustrated and didn't feel sad. I literally felt nothing, and that is a scary place for a nurse to be."

Listening to an #IRE2020 panel titled "Oh, the trouble you've seen: How to manage the stress and trauma of being a journalist."

@atompkins is talking about the stress younger reporters are under. “Younger people are really stressed out right. It’s real." He says reporters are "getting it from all sides" right now, with COVID-19, protests, people who dislike or distrust the press.

"They feel like they can't speak up because they'll be seen as too tender, too weak."

Morning. I am at St. Pete Mayor Rick @Kriseman’s house, where about 20 protesters are gathered. @TB_Times A 44yo man named Spencer “Thirteen” Cook is speaking. He says this is the first of many times protesters will come to the mayor’s house.

“This is that snowball that turns into an avalanche,” he says. @TB_Times

NEW: Florida hospitals are filling up as COVID-19 cases mount. They can still expand some. But "increased death, increased hospitalization and then ultimately, overwhelming the health care system" is possible if cases continue to rise. W/ @langstonitaylor
tampabay.com/news/health/20… Between early April and now, about 38% more people have been admitted to hospitals in Tampa Bay, according to data analyzed by @TB_Times. (See chart)

That's because there are more COVID-19 cases, but also because hospitals are playing catch up on elective surgeries.

“I’m really proud of this event. This is all about community. We put this together in less than a week. To me, that’s pretty special,” says Jake geffon, a 19yo protest organizer. @TB_Times The march is about to take off. It’s going to head south on 4th St and stop at the Central Ave intersection @TB_Times

I’m here at Williams Park with @kathrynvarn and @LuisSantana for the #JuneteenthDay celebration. St. Pete protest leader Terron Gland is speaking to a couple hundred people. Soon, there will be a march through downtown. Follow us for coverage through the night @TB_Times He’s telling people to take advantage of free masks. “No justice. No peace.” ... “Is there anybody here not fighting for justice? ... y’all should be blowing the leaves off these trees right now.” @TB_Times

I’m at St. Pete City Hall again for @TB_Times. Protesters’ nightly march is set to start after 7. There are about 30 people here right now. Follow @JackHEvans, @ByJoshSolomon and I for updates We’re hearing lots of thunder and seeing black clouds. It’s sprinkling and windy @TB_Times

I’m back at St. Pete City Hall with @kathrynvarn and @cliftimestweet to cover protesters’ night march. Later, around 8:30, we’ll meet back here to hear from local NAACP leaders. Stay with @TB_Times for updates There’s maybe 60 or 70 people here, sitting around and talking while protest leaders get ready to start the march. Here’s some sidewalk chalk that must’ve been done after today’s rain storm @TB_Times

Hey! Back at City Hall with @kathrynvarn to follow protesters for their evening march. They’re loading water into the protest van while others rest and get ready to go @TB_Times Terron is speaking to maybe 60-70 people gathered here. He says we’re doing the same route as yesterday (beach drive to snell isle and back) ... “remember, we’re not hating the cops .. it’s not ‘fuck the cops’ ... we’re making change @TB_Times

I’m at St. Pete City Hall, where about 40 people are gathered for a protest I’ve heard will start at 3 p.m. I’ll be here following the march. Follow along with @TB_Times People are just hanging out and waiting for more people to arrive. I just talked to traveling circus performer Leah Orleans, 24, who has been stuck in St. Pete since her tour was canceled due to the pandemic. She said she feels lucky to be in the city for protests @TB_Times

Headed to St. Pete City Hall ahead of a 2 p.m. march. I’m told @StPetePD officers, including the chief and other command staff, will join protestors to walk for unity and against racism. Follow me, @TroMcManus and @TB_Times for updates There’s nothing at all happening at City Hall. It’s early, but wondering if rain is a factor. Here’s our live blog so you can follow along with protests across Tampa Bay tampabay.com/news/tampa/202… @TB_Times

St. Pete Police Chief Anthony Holloway just spoke with reporters following a scuffle with man yelling outside the police department.

The chief has come outside twice today (2pm and 4pm) to talk with protesters, and he’ll be back to do the same at 6 pm @TB_Times “If they want to have a conversation, we’re ready to have that conversation,” Holloway said. “If we want to solve this and come to some resolution, then let’s talk.” @TB_Times

St. Pete protesters have regained energy and walked down Central to the courthouse, then stopped at First Ave N and 5th St to kneel and chant @TB_Times Walking west on First Ave. N, crowd chants: “Hey, hey. Ho, ho. These racist cops have got to go.”

After a couple laps around Williams Park in downtown, a crowd of about 30 protesters is headed up Central Avenue to St. Pete Police headquarters @TB_Times Chants of “Justice! Now!” and “No justice, no peace. Prosecute the police!”

I've got some news: Today is my last day as an education reporter. I begin covering health and medicine for @TB_Times Monday.

I'm excited and energized. Obviously, there are so many stories to tell as we wade through the pandemic. Reach out to me with yours: mreeves@tampabay.com Luckily, I get to keep the amazing @ThomasCTobin as my editor. And I have very big shoes to fill as @SunBizGriffin leaves the health beat to become an editor.

@divyadivyadivya takes over higher education issues, and @JeffSolochek + @Marlenesokol will cover @my_pcs.

It is poppin’ at Clearwater High this morning, where more than 800 @my_pcs students have gathered to honor civil rights heroes with the district’s first-ever Unity Walk. @TB_Times Moving performance to start off the day: “I’m going to sing out. I’m going to march on.” @TB_Times

Interesting: @my_pcs recently implemented Let's Talk, a new communication platform parents and community members can use to give feedback and ask questions. Here's the list of the most frequent "critical" words, which includes "reporter" @my_pcs These are the top 10 most-used words, which are mostly obvious