90.7 WMFE's Intersection

Experts think a whole generation of children could be affected by the problems thrown up by the pandemic- and those problems are worse for students already at risk.

Facing a deadly virus that prevents large groups of people from gathering safely, artists in central Florida have found new ways to keep the performing arts alive.

While many have moved online- finding new audiences via zoom and other streaming platforms- live performances have resumed as well-- with a difference. 

On this episode of Intersection we talk with experts and entrepreneurs from Central Florida’s arts scene about pivoting to outdoor performances and socially distanced audiences. We’ll hear from Cole Nesmith with Creative City Project, Jim Helsinger with Orlando Shakes and Foster Cronin with the Doctor Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. 

How has the circus adapted to the pandemic? Ringling and Barnum and Bailey packed up its big top more than three years ago, but the circus lives on at smaller companies across the US.  We’ll talk to former Ringling ringmaster Jonathan Lee Iverson. He’s now on the board of Omnium Circus, where he’s also the ringmaster. Iverson discusses Omnium’s mission to promote diversity in the circus, and taking the big top online. 

And Tracey Conner  with Michelee Puppets, has been helping kids cope with the uncertainty and stress of the pandemic- with a little help from her friends. We’ll meet with Tracey and her puppet Astrid- who have been hosting live puppet chats online over the past year.

Facing a deadly virus that prevents large groups of people from gathering safely, artists in central Florida have found new ways to keep the performing arts alive.

Shops like Sears and Victoria’s Secret -- once mainstays of the American mall- fell victim to the 'mallpocalypse' as online shopping squeezed the life out of brick and mortar stores. 

But in Seminole County, a former department store at the Oviedo Mall has a new lease on life- as a vaccination site for residents 65 and older. And it's not the only county where empty shopping malls are being repurposed as vaccination sites. 

On this episode of Intersection, Seminole County Emergency Manager Alan Harris discusses the frontline in the war on coronavirus that’s being waged where customers once shopped for clothes and shoes. 

Then, Desmond Meade, who rose to prominence as a campaigner for restoring the voting rights of people who served felony convictions, has a new mission: getting prisoners vaccinated against COVID-19.  Meade, who leads the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, tells Intersection it’s time the state government prioritized prisoners for vaccination. 

And with the pandemic taking a big bite out of tourism- the Orange County Convention Center has had to pare back staff- and expansion plans. Executive Director Mark Tester says the convention crowds will come back- he’s just not sure when.

An empty department store in Seminole County has a new lease on life- as a vaccination site for residents 65 and older. Florida Rights Restoration Coalition executive director Desmond Meade wants Florida to prioritize vaccinations for prisoners. And the Orange County Convention Center tries to cut costs as the pandemic takes a big bite out of convention traffic.

The Biden-Harris administration inherits some huge challenges- including the twin threats of the pandemic and the recession. On this episode of Intersection, we’ll look at what the first 100 days of the new administration could mean for Central Florida. 

Dr. Amesh Adalja of Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security; Justin Senior with the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida and WMFE health reporter Abe Aboraya join us to discuss the coronavirus response- policy and logistics. Can this administration deliver on the goal of 100 million vaccinations in the first 100 days? 

After the roller coaster of the last four years for recipients of the Delayed Action for Childhood Arrivals policy-- and for undocumented immigrants-- how will they be treated by this new administration? Maria Rodriguez of the Florida Immigrant Coalition explains what’s at stake. 

And there’s hope that Biden’s 1.9 trillion dollar American Rescue Plan could provide a shot in the arm for the economy. We’ll discuss the details with economists Sean Snaith and Hank Fishkind.

The Biden-Harris administration inherits some huge challenges- including the twin threats of the pandemic and the recession. On this episode of Intersection, we’ll look at what the first 100 days of the new administration could mean for Central Florida.

We talk about the role of hospitals in vaccine distribution and the challenges of getting the vaccine out to as many people as possible as cases surge. And volunteers from Orlando Rabbit Care and Adoptions discuss a deadly disease threatening the domestic rabbit population and their work adopting out rabbits during the pandemic.

On this episode of Intersection- we discuss the chaos in DC with political commentators Dick Batchelor and Frank Torres and former Florida Supreme Court justice James Perry. Also joining the show: US Rep. Stephanie Murphy and Orange County Sheriff John Mina.

A look back at a tumultuous year in politics, and a year of milestones in space exploration. Plus, how one non-profit is finding creative ways to help the homeless.