LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

Dan Flynn, vice president for research, Florida

Atlantic University. If the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is linked to blood clots, it’s exceedingly rare, with six reported cases out of seven million people. These clots resemble a rare response by some who receive a drug called heparin. They were seen in people who all had low levels of platelets, clotting cells that help stop cuts from bleeding. This suggests there may be an unusual response that increases clotting activity in some people with low platelet counts. This vaccine is safe, but pausing vaccinations is the right move. Ultimately, it will make the vaccine even safer.

Michael Gottlieb, member, Florida House of

Representatives. Our congressional delegation lost a tremendous leader with the death of Alcee Hastings, a civil rights activist and true public servant. The political repercussion of his death is that our governor now has the right to control not only the date of the election to replace Hastings, affecting a delicate balance of power in Congress, but also the right to appoint those who vacate the county commission to run for Hastings’ seat. DeSantis took only 33% of the vote in Broward when he became our governor, and now, he will have a chance to appoint two of nine seats affecting how Broward County governs its residents. This will change the focus of Broward and the face of Broward moving forward. Let’s hope he chooses wisely.

Debbi Hixon, member, Broward County School

Board. We must continue to promote equity in our communities to ensure our children reach their full potential. House Bill 1475 and Senate Bill 2012 are counterproductive to promoting equity in our schools and our communities. These bills focus on the biological sex of students to determine if they are able to participate in high-school and college sports as opposed to the current FHSA policy that allows transgender athletes to participate in a manner consistent with their gender identity and expression. Athletics in school settings should be about teaching inclusion, setting individual and collective goals, and well-being, not about testosterone levels.

Jason Hughes, executive director, ArtServe.

Earth Day is celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support and action for environmental protection and action on climate change. A three-day virtual “Days of Climate Action” precedes the day, including a youth summit, Hip Hop Caucus, an educational summit for teachers and a global show on Earth Day itself. Since 1970, over a billion individuals have been mobilized in their communities across 190 countries to work on preserving and protecting our biggest natural resource: our home. Earth Day encourages citizens to take action through advocacy, action, volunteerism and personal goals to helping the planet thrive. Visit Earthday.org.

Frank Ortis, mayor, Pembroke Pines. Florida got a wakeup call with Piney Point. The governor this week announced that more than $115 million will be directed toward closing the site of the former phosphate plant from which a reservoir leak prompted a wastewater crisis in Manatee and surrounding counties. A massive potential disaster was averted, although the wastewater that was discharged could result in future algal bloom and fish kills in area waters. This should not have happened, and there are other ecological hazards throughout Florida. It’s time to get proactive and put plans into action to keep our environment safe.

Nan Rich, member, Broward County Commis

sion. An amazing team of community partners has come together in a collaborative effort to launch a grassroots Vaccine Hesitancy Education Campaign this week. Broward County has joined with the Health Foundation of South Florida, Memorial Healthcare, the Children’s Services Council, the Broward County health department, Miami-Dade County and many others. The campaign’s primary mission is to increase vaccine confidence in vulnerable and underserved communities. If you have received your vaccine, you can be a vaccine ambassador, sharing your experience with those who may be vaccine hesitant. Visit our website, IDidItSFL.com, to access our comprehensive campaign toolkit. Together, we can help return our lives to normal!

Kerry Ann Royes, CEO, YWCA South Flor

ida. On Sunday, April 11, Daunte Wright was fatally shot in Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis, about 10 miles from where Derek Chauvin is on trial for the killing of George Floyd. This tragedy speaks to the continued trauma the Black community in Minnesota is experiencing because of systemic racism. Wounds are reopened and they are real. Next week, YWCAs across the country unite to “Stand Against Racism” and call attention and healing to the ongoing violence against Black and brown bodies.

Howard Simon, retired executive director,

ACLU of Florida. The Florida Legislature seems poised to restrict voting opportunities in future elections. One absurdly restrictive bill requires voters to request a mail ballot for each election and purges millions of already approved vote-by-mail applications. It also bans drop boxes used by 1.5 million Florida voters in the 2020 election. A slightly gentler bill also requires voters to request a mail ballot for each election but doesn’t purge existing requests. But states from liberal Vermont to deep red Oklahoma have expanded voting opportunities while also providing for election security. Bipartisan agreement on elections is possible — apparently, just not in Florida.