Rick Mayer
Health News FloridaI’m the online producer for Health News Florida, a collaboration of public radio stations and NPR that delivers news about health care issues.
This is an important position at WUSF. In 2019, the typical U.S. family spent about 11 percent of its annual income on health care, so it stands to reason issues of cost, quality, access and innovation are consequential to all Floridians. Then COVID-19 came along, and the weight of these matters gained exponentially. I take our reporting on these topics quite seriously, as I’m sure you do, too.
Literally growing up in newsrooms and a little serendipity along the way prepared me well for the post. Here’s the abridged version: I’m a Tampa guy, graduating from H.B. Plant High and thrust into the world with my USF degree rolled tightly in hand. From there, it was three mostly sleepless decades as an editor at The Tampa Tribune, then developing and managing an online journal serving physician executives. There’s also my side job editing a statewide health magazine.
And being married to a longtime hospital nurse/case manager helps; dinner conversation often gives me a feel of what’s happening on the front lines. The good and not-so-good.
Of course, my time isn’t always spent flailing in the health news vortex. You’re actually more likely to find me breaking down the Bucs, Bulls or Bolts after a game, taking Oodle the poodle to the dog park or tinkering the backroom piano while vicariously reliving my former life as a musician. (Remember, kids: Parents of percussionists have plenty of patience. Plenty!)
Contact Rick on Twitter @rmayer2361 or by email at Mayer1@wusf.org.
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The tests, which had expired in late December, are earmarked for emergency management offices, county health departments, hospitals and long-term care facilities. -
In a letter sent to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, Dr. Joseph Ladapo wrote that federal agencies should not be controlling COVID options. He asked that Florida be able to pursue unlimited acquisition of any treatment.
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The medical examiner reported that the Bucs' star had a blood-alcohol level of 0.28 at the time of his death. Researchers previously said he had stage 2 CTE.
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The U.S. Education Department announced Friday that it is investigating Florida over its rules that block local schools districts from enacting student mask mandates.
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Dr. Neil Finkler, chief clinical officer for the Central Florida Division, says cases in the seven-county region have peaked and "we are looking at the beginning of what we believe to be a downward curve.”
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The counties are the ninth and 10th to defy the governor's executive order requiring parents to decide whether their children wear face coverings in school.
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The change would be in violation of rules enacted to enforce Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order requiring parents to make mask decisions for their children.
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Researchers are seeking volunteers in the Tampa region to participate in the study to evaluate safety and immune responses. Enrollment will begin in the coming days.
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Because of the recent case spike of unvaccinated patients, elective surgeries are deferred, visitors are limited and masks are required. But there is more than enough space and equipment to handle the increase.
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The change aligns Celebrity with Florida law, which bans businesses from asking customers for proof of vaccination.
