Columns by Mary Ellen Klas in Bloomberg Opinion and Exclusive stories in the Miami Herald

Going It Alone Isn't a Covid Strategy. Just Ask Florida

As we mark the fourth anniversary of the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s past time the federal government require uniform public health data and transparency standards at the state level — both to reestablish public trust and to avoid the dangerous spread of misinformation during the next deadly outbreak. One of the enduring lessons of the pandemic is that politics reigned over public health and no state better demonstrates that than Florida.

Florida has ‘Help Wanted’ hanging on it. Economist says labor shortage is here to stay

"Help wanted" banners are Florida’s new normal, and the results will translate into competitive wages, longer waits for professional and domestic services, and higher costs of living — for everyone. Florida is unlike many other states because of its fast growth, aging population and dependence on migrants for both skilled and unskilled labor, said Ron Hetrick, senior labor economist at labor market analytics firm Lightcast. But a beefed-up state law that attempts to crack down on undocumented labor is exacerbating the deep hole in the work force that may take years to close.
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