Orlando
State Rep. Daisy Morales Applauds Biden’s Plan to Recruit Barbershops in Vaccination Effort
ORLANDO, Fla. – State Representative Daisy Morales (D- Orlando) applauds President Joe Biden’s decision to recruit barbershops and beauty salons in an effort to get more Americans vaccinated against COVID-19. President Biden announced his “Shots at the Shop” initiative Tuesday afternoon.
President Biden shared in his speech:
“In the spirit of meeting people where they are, we’ll also be working with the Black Coalition Against COVID and other organizations to launch a new initiative called ‘Shots at the Shop.’ Barbershops, beauty shops are hubs of activity and information in Black and brown communities in particular, but in many communities across the nation.
“Local barbers, stylists, they become key advocates for vaccinations in their communities, offering information to customers, booking appointments for them, even using their own businesses as vaccination sites. We’re going to work with shops across the country to make an even bigger impact over the next month.”
State Rep. Daisy Morales talks with Richard de la Rosa, owner of His Barbershop on Landstreet Rd. in Orlando. Photo: Mellissa Thomas/Florida National News.
Representative Morales, who sponsored the Barber Services bill (HB 855), which passed the Legislature and will next go to the Governor’s desk for signature, fully supports the initiative. HB 855 helps barbers get back into the workforce by allowing mobile services. “President Biden is right—barbershops and beauty salons are indeed high-traffic locations, especially in Black and brown communities.”
Barbershops’ Community Impact
Barbershops and beauty shops serve as community cornerstones. Some residents get their news as well as a good hairstyle there. These businesses provide more than just a good look–sometimes it’s a health concern. Richard de la Rosa, who owns His Barbershop on Landstreet in Orlando, stressed that point. “…It’s about grooming too. There are two senior living facilities in this area alone, plus we serve special needs clients and those who are homeless. For those living in the senior homes, when they don’t get groomed, their hair becomes matted.”
Morales’ Challenge to Biden: Add Some Star Power
These shops prove so valuable they spawned not only a movie franchise, but a spinoff, too: Ice Cube’s Barbershop trilogy, and Queen Latifah’s Beauty Shop.
“Barbershop: The Next Cut” film poster. Image: MGM Studios.
“Beauty Shop” (2005) film poster: MGM Studios.
With these films in mind, State Rep. Morales is challenging President Biden to do one better. “President Biden should recruit the Barbershop and Beauty Shop cast members to go on a national tour to really ramp up vaccinations,” said Morales. “Imagine having Queen Latifah, Ice Cube, Anthony Anderson, or Common come to your barbershop or beauty shop. There’d be a line around the block. Celebrities usually tour the country to help boost election campaigns or get out the vote initiatives. Why not tour the barbershops and beauty salons to help save lives?”
Rep. Morales looks forward to Governor DeSantis signing her Barber Services bill, given his high regard for the importance of barbershops, and hopes he will embrace this kind of vaccination plan for Florida, encouraging barbershops to open their doors as vaccination sites.
“More importantly, these shops also serve as a valuable communication hub in the community, so it’s a great way to help curb vaccine hesitancy,” Representative Morales added. “When people in the community get the vaccine at the barbershop or beauty salon, they’ll encourage others to get it as well. We want to help Americans, especially Floridians, get back to some sense of normalcy.”
___________________________________________________
Mellissa Thomas is Editor for Florida National News. | mellissa.thomas@floridanationalnews.com
NFL
UCF Hall of Fame Inductee Shaquem Griffin Launches Search For Greatness Combine With Joey Grant and GMTM
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN Sports) – Scottie Scheffler wins his second red cardigan at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, today, along with $4 million of the $20 million prize pool. The red cardigan was first awarded in 2017, in memory of Arnold Palmer who passed the year before. Scheffler first won the API in 2022.
Scottie Scheffler wins the Arnold Palmer Invitational. (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)
The number one ranked golfer in the world, Scheffler finished at 15 under par for the four day tournament, carding a 66 today. Wyndham Clark finished in second place at 10 under par. API defending champion, Kurt Kitayama, did not make the cut, this weekend, finishing 7 over par after the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday.
This coming week, the top golfers head to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, for the 50th anniversary of The Players Championship. The winner will walk away with $4.5 million of the $25 million up for grabs. This is the PGA Tour’s largest regular season purse. Stay tuned to www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Lake Nona resident, Lydia Ko, has won the 2024 Hilton Grand Vacations LPGA Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, while Mets All-Star Second Baseman, Jeff McNeil, has won the celebrities and amateurs competition. The four day tournament wrapped up Sunday. Ko takes home $225,000 of the $1.5 million prize pool, while baseball player McNeil wins $100,000 of the $500,000 designated for the athletes and entertainers.
Lydia Ko and Jeff McNeil win the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Sunday, January 21, 2024. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
Ko finished at -14, two strokes ahead of Alexa Pano. Defending champion, Brooke Henderson, finished third at ten under par. McNeil ended with 138 points using the Modified Stableford scoring system, in his first time competing in this tournament. Annika Sorenstam finished in second place amongst the celebrity golfers, with 136. Former Major League Baseball pitchers Derek Lowe and Mark Mulder tied for third place at 135.
The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions also announced today that they have extended their agreement with the LPGA to continue this tournament at Lake Nona for another five years, with a 65% increase in the prize pool money.
Stay tuned to Florida National News for more, and be sure to follow our Florida National News page on Facebook for more photos and videos from the tournament.
Jacksonville4 days agoJaguars Eliminated From Playoffs By Texans
US NATIONAL NEWS5 days agoRemembering Lynette “Diamond” Hardaway: A Political Trailblazer for President Trump
Politics1 day agoMinority Communities and Students Face Setbacks in Orange County’s Fight Over $2 Million Scholarship Funds
Business3 days agoMayweather Boxing + Fitness: Where Seminole County Residents Knock Out Calories
Politics1 day agoGovernor DeSantis Appoints Judges to 17th, 18th, and 20th Judicial Circuits
