TAMPA, Fla. (FNN) – In this week’s episode of the FNN Politics & Power Series, Dr. Krishna Tewari, hospitalist and CEO of Inpatient Specialists Group, LLC, spoke with Mellissa about his network of fellow hospitalists, the COVID-19 pandemic and its permanent impact on medical innovation, the impact of Tampa’s growing population on his business, and more.

Catch new episodes of the FNN Politics & Power Series every Thursday at 1pm ET on Facebook (@Florida National News or @FNN News TV) or on YouTube (www.youtube.com/c/floridanationalnews).

ORLANDO, Fla. – Following a Federal Court decision and updated directives from the Transportation Security Administration, the wearing of facial coverings will no longer be mandated at Orlando International Airport.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which runs OIA, released the following statement:

“The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority will continue to remain vigilant in its efforts to promote a safe, secure and sanitized environment for its guests through the enhanced cleaning methods we’ve enacted over the course of the pandemic. However, the signage and messaging throughout the airport campus will be removed to support the current enforcement climate.

“The CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings as a preventative measure against COVID-19. Each individual can proceed to wear a face mask if they feel it is important for their health and the health of their family. We can expect that some of our industry partners may require a mask be worn in our airports and we need to respect that decision as well.”

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Source: City of Orlando // On Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at 8 a.m. the City of Orlando’s online portal will open to begin accepting applications to provide Emergency Rental Assistance for households that have been financially impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

City of Orlando households looking to apply should visit orlando.gov/assistance.

The program, a partnership with KPMG and Neighborly Software, is funded with $6.8 million in COVID-19 Relief Funds from the U.S. Department of Treasury.
Per the Treasury Department’s requirements for this ERAP2 program, to be eligible, a household must:

• Include one or more individuals within the household who has qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship during or due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 pandemic;
• Include one or more individuals within the household who demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability;
• Have a household income at or below 80% of the area median income ($61,050 for a family of four), with priority given to households at or below 50% of the area median income ($38,150 for a family of four) or that have a household member who has been unemployed for 90 days; and
• Submit proof of occupancy in the rental residence – this can include a copy of a lease, rental agreement, rent receipts, evidence of regular rental payments, or any other documents that show proof of occupancy.

The City of Orlando’s program will have additional eligibility requirements and program guidelines including:

• Rental assistance is provided for past-due rent and up to three months of prospective rent payments. The total amount of assistance, including any assistance received under the first phase of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, may not exceed 18 months.
• Rental assistance payments will be made directly to the landlord.
• The applicant’s monthly rental rate may be no more than $4,000 per month.
• Assistance with utility payments will not be provided unless the utilities are billed as part of the lease.
• Housing Stability Services will be available through counseling to prevent evictions, or to assist tenants in finding new housing and when necessary, pay fees, deposits, and rent for the new unit.

For more information on eligibility requirements and/or to begin the application process, Orlando residents should visit orlando.gov/assistance.