TO PST ORIES FROM LAST WEEK

Michael De Lucca,

Last week, Pfizer announced the Phase ⅔ trial for the COVID-19 vaccine was safe and had a great antibody response in children ages 5 to 11. The trial included 2,268 participants and used a two-dose regimen of the vaccine administered

21 days apart. During the trial, a 10-miccrogram dose was used, smaller than the 30-microgram dose that has been administered for those 12 and older. The vaccine was tolerated well for this age group. Pfizer plans to submit the findings to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for emergency use in children ages 5 to 11 very soon.

Nan Rich,

Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, it did! DeSantis appointed Dr. Joseph Ladapo as Florida’s Surgeon General. Ladapo has written extensively, questioning COVID-19 vaccines, the effectiveness of masks, opposing mandates and endorsing hydroxychloroquine. Responding to Ladapo’s theory encouraging immunity through natural infection, over 80 scientists declared this, “a dangerous fallacy, unsupported by scientific evidence.” Younger Floridians are contracting the delta variant at record rates. Do we want to jeopardize the lives of children with the medical theories of Dr. Ladapo and DeSantis? What an insult to the medical professionals working overtime in ICUs fighting to prevent these unnecessary deaths!

Wendy Sartory Link,

The Nov. 2, 2021 special primary election for U.S. House of Representatives, District 20, is quickly approaching, and vote-by-mail ballots are already on their way to eligible military and overseas voters who requested a mail ballot. This week, we will begin sending mail ballots to domestic voters registered to vote in Palm Beach County. If you have not yet requested a vote-by-mail ballot, you may do so online at VotePalmBeach.gov, email votebymail@votepalmbeach.gov, or call 561-656-6208. Please have your driver’s license, Florida ID card, or the last four digits of your Social Security number available when making your request.

Calibe Thompson,

As Haitian migrants gathered at the border are whipped by agents on horseback and immediately put on planes back home, the country is transfixed by the story of a white woman who may have been killed by her partner. Are Haitians — battered and bruised by earthquakes, hurricanes, a government in turmoil and tragedy after tragedy — unworthy of our help? I don’t believe there should be less care given to the woman, but there should absolutely be more care given to Haitians, particularly when the struggles they face can easily be helped by the richest country in the world.

Dean Trantalis,

This past week, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission agreed to move forward with a game-changing opportunity for our downtown. As we team up with a private partner, the city will preserve the full 2.75 acres of open space long promised to the downtown residents, while at the same time allowing for an iconic cultural center and food emporium designed by world-renowned architect Michael Palladino, who designed the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. The cultural center would feature a venue for entertainment acts as well as space for art exhibits, while the emporium would have restaurants and shops. It’s an exciting plan that I hope can be finalized by November.

Michael Udine,

Bring your resume and dress for success on Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport will be hosting a job fair at the BB&T Center in Sunrise. More than 800 full-time and parttime jobs will be available from 20+ employers. Participating employers at the airport include airlines, restaurants, retails shops, rental car agencies, ground transportation providers and more. This is a great opportunity for anyone seeking a job to connect with potential companies. Additionally, resume development assistance and interview tips are available to attendees. Best of luck to all participating!

Gordon Weekes,

.

We should celebrate cooperation when it yields positive results. Broward has made important progress toward criminal justice reform without compromising public safety. A notice to appear process has been adopted to address minor, nonviolent offenses in lieu of physical arrest. Although this process echoes existing law, using notices to appear where applicable acknowledges that not all offenses need to result in physical arrest, which can disproportionately impact the poor. I applaud the courts, state attorney and sheriff for embracing this change that will reduce the financial burden on the community and the personal toll on individuals. Bond reform is next.

Quinn Smith,

The Wall Street Journal exposé detailing the inner workings of Facebook and Instagram is important for everyone to understand. Facebook knows that its products are making society worse, and it has shown little resolve to do anything other than make superficial changes. We need to begin thinking about Facebook like a tobacco company and regulate it accordingly.