Needle exchange in Tampa is saving lives, but faces challenges

New businesses opening; DeSantis' legislative wish list; Bucs updates

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Wednesday, December 29, 2021 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters Is it spring already? The sunny, warm and dry weather continues, with a high of 84 and low of 65. The year is almost over, dear reader, but there are plenty of new businesses slated to open in 2022 (even as the remnants of old ones disappear). There are also new isolation and quarantine guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which are confusing to a lot of people. [IVY CEBALLO | Times] As overdoses rise in Tampa Bay, one program is preventing deaths and reducing infectious diseases When IDEA Exchange Tampa — the second sanctioned needle exchange program in Florida — first launched, no clients showed up for months. Now, 30 clients is a slow day, and the program is struggling to keep up with demand. The program became legal when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Infectious Disease Elimination Act into law in 2019. IDEA Exchange Tampa has now collected nearly 86,000 used syringes and distributed nearly 83,900 new, sterile ones.   But Limited funding has created inequities in who has access to the life-saving services. The site supervisor says it's clear the demographics in who's receiving the services is not as diverse at the population of users in Tampa Bay. With limited resources, it's difficult to adequately address the needs of communities of color.   Read Margo Snipe's story to learn more about the program.  AROUND THE BAY What's in store for 2022: There are a lot of developments across Tampa, and they are featuring a lot of shops and restaurants that will open in the new year. $7.1 million sale: The German restaurant and beer hall Hofbräuhaus St. Petersburg has been sold to the owner of a Washington D.C.-based pizza franchise.   Name change: The Clearwater-based company that owns and operates Hooters restaurants is changing its name.  Potential ban on pet rabbits: A grass roots group of animal advocates want rabbits banned from retail sales in Hillsborough County and elsewhere. Record-breaking thrill rides: Two big attractions opened off of Orlando’s International Drive that don’t require theme park admission. BRIGHT SPOT [DIRK SHADD | Times] 'Take what you need, leave what you can!'  As food insecurity climbed and people looked for ways to help their neighbors over the past couple of years, free fridges became popular nationwide, including in Tampa Bay.   Now the organizers behind the St. Pete Free Fridge hope to expand the project.  Your support makes a difference The Tampa Bay Times needs your help to keep delivering top-notch journalism. Please consider subscribing or making a tax-deductible donation to the Tampa Bay Times Journalism Fund. Donate Gain unlimited access CORONAVIRUS DEVELOPMENTS UPDATES AT TAMPABAY.COM/CORONAVIRUS Lineup changes: Tampa’s Straz Center cancels one show and postpones another after some of the cast and crew tested positive. Audiences have applauded their rigor, they say.    Shorter isolation period: New guidance from the CDC that shortens the recommended COVID-19 isolation and quarantine period has raised questions about how the guidelines were crafted and why it was changed now, in the middle of another spike in cases. Vaccine doses: See how Florida compares to other states. Mask up in county facilities: As COVID cases rise, Hillsborough County is again requiring face masks in all county facilities, regardless of a person’s vaccination status.   Free tests are popular: People are lining up at testing sites to get free, same-day COVID tests without appointments across Tampa Bay as omicron surges through the area. POLITICS DeSantis’ wish list: Find out 10 of the governor’s legislative priorities for 2022 — everything from cryptocurrency to teacher bonuses. Changes taking effect: Bills concerning vehicle rentals and notaries public are becoming law on Saturday, as well as a decrease in workers’ compensation insurance rates. Dive deeper into your favorite local subjects 📨 Our free email newsletters bring the best of the Tampa Bay Times to your inbox every week. Explore all of them here. OPINION AND COMMENTARY 'It's like putting shoes on a baby': Dec. 26 through Jan. 2 is pointless, writes columnist Stephanie Hayes. It's time to acknowledge that everyone is faking it this week.  SPORTS Bolts earn another overtime win: The Lightning prevail over the Canadiens in their 12th overtime game this season.  Is he a changed man? If you thought Antonio Brown would express remorse, you were wrong. And if you thought the Bucs would admit they care only about the Super Bowl, you were wrong, writes sports columnist John Romano.    Additions to COVID-19 protocol: Bucs coach Bruce Arians along with two cornerbacks were placed on the list, a day after receiver Mike Evans and receivers coach Kevin Garver.  Job opportunity: Now that they've fired Urban Meyer as head coach, the Jacksonville Jaguars have asked to talk to both the Buccaneers' offensive and defensive coordinators about the job opening.   Accusations "destroyed his life": Kicked off the USF football team and expelled from school, Kevaughn Dingle is suing his former university after rape charges against him were dropped. College football review: Is it really wise doing a year in review for college football in Florida when it's a year that most fans around Tampa Bay would like to forget? TODAY'S TALKER [The Florida Aquarium] Want to keep your kids entertained over winter break? We have some ideas, from snow and ice skating for kids who never get to play in the cold to history and art appreciation. Check out the full list. Today's DayStarter was compiled by Joshua Gillin and Anila Lijo. Did someone forward this to you? Get DayStarter in your own inbox next time. It's free to subscribe. Sign up here. Contact us Privacy policy Terms, conditions & copyright Standard of accuracy © 2021 • All Rights Reserved Tampa Bay Times • 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 To ensure this email is delivered to your inbox, add custserv@elist.tampabay.com to your address book. You are receiving this email because you signed up for the "DayStarter" newsletter from the Tampa Bay Times. If you'd prefer not to receive updates, you can unsubscribe from this email.