Child COVID Hospitalization Hits Pandemic Record + Tampa Bay Rays Schedule

Welcome back, Tampa! Here's everything you need to know to get this Monday started off right.

In this issue, you'll learn about students and alumni finally able to graduate at USF, the continued fight over masks in schools, the latest on the Tampa Bay Rays, rising COVID cases and hospitalizations in children, and more. Now, let's get started.

First, today's weather: Humid and overcast throughout the day. High: 90 Low: 78.

Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. Over 4,000 USF students and alumni were finally able to walk across the stage of the Yuengling Center to get their degrees. In-person graduation was offered for as many people as possible. (Bay News 9)

2. Governor Ron DeSantis said Saturday afternoon that Sarasota schools are violating state law by enacting a mask mandate without an opt-out option for parents as the fight over masks continues in Florida amid record COVID-19 hospitalizations. (WFLA)

3. The Tampa Bay Rays have released its 2022 spring training schedule. Fans can place a deposit to become a 2022 Rays Spring Training Season ticket holder. (St. Pete Patch)

4. The positivity rate for new COVID-19 cases in children 12 and under is now 23%, according to recent data from the Florida Department of Health. Medical experts are blaming the delta variant and child hospitalizations have hit a pandemic record. (Fox 13 Tampa Bay)

5. St. Pete’s first "selfie studio", The Social Warehouse, is opening this fall in downtown St. Pete next to Red Mesa Cantina. Local muralists from the area will be hired to create art for a few wall scenes. (St. Pete Rising)

Today in Tampa

• Skyway: A Contemporary Collaboration at USF Contemporary Art Museum. (10:00 AM)
• Golf vs. Berkeley - Robinson High. (3:30 PM)
• Pokemon Club at TRIBE Seminole Heights. $5 to attend. (5:30 PM)
• Career and Education Development Resources at Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. (6:00 PM)
• Varsity Volleyball vs. Newsome - Robinson High. (7:00 PM)

Tampa Patch Notebook

• An average of 188 children are being hospitalized in Florida daily with COVID-19.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: "We fell to the Titans in a preseason game that saw QB Kyle Trask get a lot of work and TE Tanner Hudson put up big numbers once again." (Facebook)
• Tampa General Hospital: "This may be challenging to watch - but please do. Our #COVID frontline team is showing you an uncensored view of what's happening inside our walls as the latest surge rips through FL. See them. Hear them. Support them. Do your part. Get vaccinated today." (Twitter)
• City of Tampa: "We want YOUR input! Tampa Parks and Rec is reimagining our parks, programs, and services through a Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and we want your feedback and ideas. The virtual Open House closes on August 27th. Fill out our online s..." (Facebook)
• South Tampa is Awesome: "If you love BBQ then Sarge's Smokehouse BBQ is a must try. We've tried all the meats and most of the sides. All were AWESOME! We absolutely love the BBQ boats...everything you want in every bite! More info: https://www.sargessmokehousebb..." (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another update! If you're liking these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Tampa Daily? Email me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.