COVID-19 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Gators guard Kristina Moore was energetic at Sunday’s game against Georgia, making 11 points. Photo courtesy of the SEC Media Portal.

Sports

Why Florida lost to Georgia, again

By Grethel Aguila | Jan. 11, 2021

It looked possible — until it didn’t. So what led to Florida losing 68-58?

Jacob Stanko throws a javelin at the Tom Jones Memorial Classic in 2019.

Sports

The Curious Life of Jacob Stanko

By Christian Ortega | Jan. 11, 2021

Jacob Stanko lives a passionate life. He loves nature — it’s his chief escape from stress. He loves athletics, so he pours his energy into throwing each offseason. He loves God, and his faith keeps him grounded. But COVID-19 took sports from him, straining his motivation.

UF track and field coach Mike Holloway led the men’s team to the indoor national championship and the women’s team to a top-10 ranking.

Sports

Track and field schedule released

By Myles Herbert | Jan. 11, 2021

This will be the first time the Gators compete since March because their 2020 season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quarterback Kyle Trask (left) was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2020. He finished with the most passing touchdowns in the country that season (43) while racking up the second most passing yards (4,283). Tight end Kyle Pitts (right) was a unanimous first-team All-American in 2020. He finished the year with 43 catches for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns, despite only playing in eight games.

Sports

It doesn’t matter how it ended. Florida football should be proud

By River Wells | Jan. 11, 2021

Despite dropping its last three games, UF’s football team has plenty to look back on — and to look forward to.

Venues like High Dive haven't been able to host a full room in more than nine months.

The Avenue

Save Our Stages Act passes with COVID-19 stimulus bill

By Heather Bushman | Jan. 11, 2021

Local venues will receive $15 billion in aid through the COVID-19 stimulus bill.

The Avenue

UF students turn to ‘comfort TV’ amid pandemic

By Veronica Nocera | Jan. 11, 2021

Television provides a needed distraction from the stress of COVID-19.

The AUK Market offers masks from two local makers.

The Avenue

Local vendors offer fashionable face masks

By Kristin Bausch | Jan. 11, 2021

Students can shop small for face masks as in-person classes resume.

Metro

Alachua County, Gainesville and Student Government elected officials new year plans roundup

By Jack Prator and Carolina Ilvento | Jan. 11, 2021

Here's what you need to know about the plans the Alachua County Commission, Gainesville City Commission and UF Student Government have for 2021.

Lillie Rooney, a 20-year-old UF Entomology senior, sits on RTS Bus 35 at the J. Wayne Reitz Union stop on campus on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. RTS is adding more buses to existing routes 12, 13, 20 and 38, continuing mask mandates and keeping capacities low for buses this Spring.

News

RTS adds more buses and keeps safety protocols in place this Spring

By J.P. Oprison | Jan. 11, 2021

Gainesville RTS is adding four buses to existing routes 12, 13, 20 and 38 to accommodate returning UF students. It's also sticking with successful COVID-19 guidelines from Fall 2020, including mask requirements and social distancing.

Gainesville Fire Rescue preparing the vaccines for its team. (Gainesville Fire Rescue / Courtesy to The Alligator)

Metro

Gainesville and Alachua County firefighters among the first to receive COVID-19 vaccine

By Jiselle Lee | Jan. 11, 2021

GFR and Alachua County Fire rescue were among the first first responders to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine after participating in vaccine trials.

News

What happens if my classmate has COVID-19?

By Manny Rea and Sofia Echeverry | Jan. 11, 2021

If a student tests positive, classes won't be moved online, but positive individuals will need to join an online or HyFlex alternative of their class and self-isolate. They can return to campus once they've been cleared on One.UF.

Opinion

We’re all turning 21 this year

By Kent Fuchs | Jan. 11, 2021

Greetings, students, and welcome to the start of the Spring semester.

A Summer 2019 graduate of the University of Florida watches the remainder of the ceremony while wearing a graduation cap with the Porky Pig quote, “That’s all, folks,” from Looney Tunes.

News

UF plans in-person Spring commencement and 2020 makeup ceremonies

By Juliana Ferrie | Jan. 10, 2021

Depending on how available the COVID-19 vaccine is come March, UF hopes to hold in-person graduation ceremonies for Spring 2021 and make-up ceremonies for the class of 2020.

Sports

Bulldogs subdue Gators after strong UF start

By Grethel Aguila | Jan. 10, 2021

A careless pass from Florida was the final nail in the coffin, giving Georgia possession during critical moments and preserving their 10 point advantage.

McGriff’s experience coaching in the defensive backfield will be welcomed as the Gator defense allowed 257 yards per game through the air last season. Photo from UF-Virginia game in December 2019.

Sports

Gators add Wesley McGriff to coaching staff

By Michael Hull | Jan. 10, 2021

McGriff will look to help turn around a Gators defense that allowed over 250 yards per game through the air.

The Gators will face Kentucky Saturday. Photo from UF-Marshall game in November 2019.

News

Kentucky sends a message against Florida in dominant win

By Dylan O'Shea | Jan. 10, 2021

Florida picked the wrong time for its worst shooting performance of the season in a 76-58 loss to Kentucky on Saturday.

The Gators will kick off the season in Jacksonville at the Timuquana Collegiate Jan. 25-26.

Sports

Florida unveils spring 2021 schedule

By Michael Hull | Jan. 9, 2021

UF will kick off its 2021 campaign in Jacksonville later this month.

Junior Addie Baggarly kneels down to contemplate a putt. Her teammate Annabell Fuller came in second at the Amateur Women’s Championship this past weekend.

Sports

Gators release full 2021 spring schedule

By Michael Hull | Jan. 9, 2021

The No. 8 ranked Gators will play a total of eight tournaments this spring, starting with the Moon Golf Invitational in Melbourne, Florida.

Mike Foley, UF journalism professor, receives his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Jan. 5, 2021.

Metro

Alachua County leaders outline COVID-19 vaccination plan

By Jack Prator | Jan. 9, 2021

The Gainesville City Commission voted unanimously Thursday to pass a four-part plan that will help the Alachua County Health Department mass administer the COVID-19 vaccination.

Few students are seen wandering around UF’s campus on August 31, 2020, in Gainesville Fla., due to the social distancing guidelines and mask requirements set in place. However, the Campus Connector and RTS buses still operate with frequent trips across campus.

News

In-person class guidelines, COVID-19 testing results and vaccinations discussed at faculty meeting

By Meghan McGlone | Jan. 9, 2021

David Richardson, UF CLAS dean, wrote faculty that students only need to be tested for COVID-19, not receive a negative result, to be cleared for campus. Dr. Michael Lauzardo answered questions about in-person classes at a faculty town hall meeting Saturday.