TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK

NETFLIX’S ‘MAID’ SHOWS ABUSE CHALLENGES, Martha Are, CEO, Central Florida Commission on Homelessness: Netflix recently premiered a new series, “Maid.” Adapted from a memoir, “Maid” features Alex, a young mother who has fled an abusive relationship and is struggling to find stable housing, a job and provide for her daughter. The show underscores the challenges of leaving an abusive situation as well as the relationship between domestic violence and homelessness. The crises that befall Alex are similar to what our partners’ program participants face every day and are a powerful reminder that our own community members experience these struggles. “Maid” has valuable potential to increase compassion and I encourage those who are able to watch.

DRIVE ELECTRIC WEEK, Clint Bullock, general manager and CEO, OUC: From Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 we celebrated National Drive Electric Week, a nationwide event to raise awareness of the environmental, health and consumer benefits of electric vehicles. Transportation is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions and the adoption of EVs is critical to cleaning up our air. There are now more than 1.5 million EVs on the road in the U.S., but mass adoption is key. Orlando is one of the top 10 most EV-ready cities in the nation, with more than 300 charging stations available to drivers across the city and eight electric Lynx buses — infrastructure that is crucial for adoption.

FIRST LADY’S FIGHT, John L. Evans Jr., Organizational behavior scholar; DeSantis appointee: I remember the day vividly, years ago, as executive assistant to U.S. Sen. Cornelius McGillicuddy, aka Connie Mack. We, the staff, were in shock; the senator’s wife had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Like Florida’s first lady, Casey DeSantis, Priscilla has a grace-filled, Audrey Hepburn comportment and presence. The outpouring from constituents provided a ballast for her. And like a true champ, she transformed the adversity into a tremendous crusade for early detection. A heartfelt prayer to the Sunshine State’s first lady — like Pris, you’ve got this, Casey.

FACEBOOK OUTAGE, David Leavitt, former Seminole County Libertarian Party chairman, CEO of Refresh Computers: Founded in 2004, Facebook’s original mission statement was “To give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected.” In 2017, Facebook changed its mission statement — “To give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together.” Facebook stated the change was needed because the old one was broken. Really. Now take a moment to stop laughing so hard and reflect. I wonder if anyone else felt a sense of calm and serenity for several hours earlier this week while Facebook went down. Did you get the sense that we would all be better off without Facebook?

ROOFS FOR VETERANS, A.J. Marsden, assistant professor, Beacon College: Since its start in 2016, the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project has provided more than 275 struggling veterans with new roofs at no cost — the latest going to Lake County Army veteran Angie Batica. In order to make this program work and ensure that all work will be completed at no charge to the veteran, Owens Corning partnered with Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter and Southern Roofing and Renovations to cover the costs. As an Army veteran, it warms my heart to see members of our community working so hard to take care of those who have served our country.

COVID GOOD NEWS, Gloria Pickar, president emerita, League of Women Voters of Orange County: Orange County has several COVID data points going in the right direction. Test positivity rates are down with fewer cases, lower hospitalizations and deaths. CDC data for the seven-day average ending Oct. 5 indicate downward trends from the latest and worst COVID spike since January 2020. From a record high of 1,362 cases just two months ago, cases declined to 337. Although we are still in red status (highest community transmission), Mayor Jerry Demings announced he expects we will soon move to orange. Pfizer boosters have FDA authorization, Moderna and J&J are next, then shots for kids and millions of home tests.

SHATNER’S STAR TREK, Larry Pino, attorney and entrepreneur: It may not be accurate that William Shatner is going where no man has gone before, but we can say with certainty that he is going where no 90-yearold has. Captain Kirk, the cultural icon from Star Trek fame, will be launched to the edge of space on Tuesday aboard the New Shepard, the rocket built by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. It’s no secret that space travel has begun in earnest, and while Captain Kirk’s rocket will launch from a pad in West Texas, these are still exciting times for Central Florida’s economy sporting facilities equipped to handle space tourism as it explodes into common travel over the next decade.

ORLANDO PRIDE, Stephanie Porta, co-executive director, Florida Rising: Orlando is ranked the friendliest city in the country for LGBTQ travelers, which explains why our Come Out With Pride Festival is the best in the world. However, Gov. Ron DeSantis is systemically erasing the LGBTQ community and taking their tourist dollars simultaneously. He vetoed resources for homeless gay children and barred young transgender girls and women from sports competitions in public schools. DeSantis recently blocked mentalhealth funding for the victims and families impacted by the Pulse shooting. Florida law offers no legal protections against LGBTQ discrimination. No longer can we leave our LGBTQ family vulnerable to legally sanctioned bigotry.