LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

Dr. Wael Barsoum, president and CTO, Healthcare Outcomes Performance Co. Nearly half of the U.S. states are allowing teachers to get the vaccine shots. By this week, approximately 24 states are providing shots for teachers of kindergarten through high school students. Despite the challenge in speed of dispersing the vaccines, vaccinating teachers is an essential step to reopening the school systems. Last week, the CDC issued a statement that there is a “preponderance of available evidence” indicating that in-person instruction can be done safely with mask-wearing and social distancing measures.

Ted Deutch, member, U.S. House of Representatives. Before her election, U.S. Rep. Greene engaged in a pattern of threatening and dangerous conduct against Stoneman Douglas shooting survivors. She called the tragedy a “false flag” event and survivors “crisis actors.” I’ve grieved with the Parkland families, and her words make their suffering much worse. She hasn’t accepted responsibility, promising to “never apologize.” Rather than hold her accountable, her leaders rewarded her with committee assignments, signaling that this conduct is tolerated. It’s impossible to maintain public confidence in the integrity of the House if we normalize this behavior. That’s why a bipartisan House voted to remove her from her committees.

Michelle Gomez, mayor, Tamarac. Vaccine availability and administration, second dose accessibility, site selection and frustrations with the scheduling portal remain top issues for residents of Tamarac and Broward County. Besides the considerably few COVID-19 vaccine doses available to meet the demand of Florida’s 22.2 million residents, little information on a vaccine production plan only intensifies concerns. In the interim, cities are ready, willing and able to administer the vaccines separately, with a neighboring city or the county. Nevertheless, we remain optimistic. Hardly a year since the shutdown, and we finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Jason Hughes, executive director, ArtServe. Black History Month is here, and we all face a personal challenge to examine the difference between performative allyship and real, substantive contributions to the celebration of Black excellence. No single calendar month is adequate to explore the depths of Black culture, to celebrate the rich vibrant history of Black people, or to appreciate the vast ocean of diversity inherent in the Black community. Similarly, we must recognize that no statement, meme or platitude on race and equality will deliver the much-needed legislation to overcome the systemic and structural barriers built to keep communities of color from achieving full enfranchisement into the American experiment. We can do it.

Tim Lonergan, former mayor, Oakland Park. Florida has finally taken a responsible step forward to end discrimination against the LGBTQ community. The Florida Commission on Human Relations has ruled it will now investigate housing, job and public accommodation discrimination complaints based on sexual orientation and gender identity. A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision and an executive order issued by President Biden set legal requirements that illegal discrimination “based on sex” includes discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. The state will now enforce civil rights laws that include protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals from discrimination. Equality wins!

Tom Powers,

chairman, Republican Party of Broward County. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the FBI agents who heroically gave their lives on Tuesday keeping the most vulnerable among us safe, and we thank all those in the line of duty who protect us every day. We are fortunate to have the service of so many brave men and women on a daily basis keeping the public, and our nation as a whole, safe. The legacies these agents leave behind are that of bravery, sacrifice and honor. May God bless and protect our law enforcement!

Larry Rein, CEO and President, ChildNet. Parental substance abuse has for years been the primary reason that South Florida children are removed from their homes and enter foster care. To finally change this, our entire approach to substance abuse must change, dramatically. This week, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize possession of small amounts of hard drugs and instead intervene with addiction recovery treatment for many who would previously have been arrested for possession. It is a radical approach, but one that bears watching. If it facilitates recovery and strengthens families, we might well consider it. It certainly seems more hopeful than just saying no.

Thomas Wenski, archbishop, Archdiocese of Miami. The proposed “public disorder” legislation in the Florida House (HB 1) is ill-advised and unnecessary. While certainly riots in Washington, D.C., and earlier summer riots across the nation prompt outrage and concern, it does seem unnecessary to create new penalties for crimes if they occur during a riot if applicable laws are enforced. After all, assault, battery, theft and arson are already crimes. The bill invites unintended consequences, namely limitations on people’s civil liberties to assemble and to seek redress for grievances. Recent civil unrest can be better addressed in other ways — by promoting de-escalation training, for one.