WMFE|WMFV ANNOUNCES CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL COVERAGE THIS WEEK

FEATURES SPECIAL REPORTS, CALL-IN SHOWS AND LIVE BLOG FOR CENTRAL FLORIDA UPDATES

ORLANDO – We’re hard at work to bring our listeners up-to-date, accurate news about the coronavirus public health emergency and how it’s affecting the Central Florida community, nation and world on 90.7 WMFE and 89.5 WMFV.

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Here’s how to stay connected:

• Stay tuned to 90.7-FM in Orlando and 89.5-FM in The Villages.
• Bookmark our coronavirus page for updated stories and blog posts.
• Add the special programs listed below to your calendar to hear the latest.
• Follow us on Twitter,and tweet us what you're experiencing.

SPECIAL PROGRAMMING THE WEEK OF MARCH 16:

NPR Special Report: COVID-19 – What You Need To Know
Monday at noon
This special report, hosted by Weekend Edition host Lulu Garcia-Navarro, focuses on what we have learned about the virus and its implications for individuals and the American public as a whole. We’ll hear about the science of the virus itself and what is known about how it spreads. Later in the program, we’ll turn to institutional action and how schools, workplaces and the health care industry are responding. Finally, we’ll hear more about how people can prepare for the virus themselves, with a focus on personal safety measures and household readiness.

COVID-19: Hard Questions, Real Answers
Wednesday & Thursday at 2 p.m.
This two-day national call-in program hosted by Minnesota Public Radio's Kerri Miller will connect you directly with people around the country and how they are experiencing the pandemic where they live.

• Wednesday at 2 p.m.​​: Guests from the Mayo Clinic will talk with Kerri about the science of treating COVID-19 — the challenges medical professionals are facing, what they know about the spread, and their plans for stopping it.
• Thursday at 2 p.m.: With help from WABE in Atlanta (home of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Kerri will center the discussion around public health issues.

Primary Election Coverage
Tuesday
Tuesday’s primaries are in Florida and three other states. We’ll air a special live edition of the Florida Roundup at 7 p.m., followed by an evening of live coverage from NPR with local analysis starting at 8 p.m. It’s uncertain if the pandemic will influence the primary, but it could affect turnout and waits at polling places.

Intersection: Special COVID-19 Call-in show
Thursday at noon
Matthew Peddie will host a special round table discussion with medical experts, reporters and others to answer your questions about the virus here in Central Florida. Our region’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism, and Matthew will explore the short- and long-term effects of the theme park shut down and state of emergencies declared by national, state and local officials. We want to hear from you so you’ll be able to call in during the live program or submit your questions in advance.

About Community Communications Inc.:
Community Communications Inc. is a non-profit, member-supported, community-based public broadcasting company that operates 90.7 WMFE-FM, metro Orlando’s primary provider of NPR programming; 90.7-2 Classical; and 89.5 WMFV, public radio for The Villages, Leesburg and The Golden Triangle. Part of the community since 1980, Community Communications focuses on providing quality national and local news and programming. Visit  wmfe.org and  wmfv.org for more information.

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MEDIA INQUIRIES: Please contact Communications & Marketing Specialist Jenny Babcock at jbabcock@wmfe.org or 407-273-2300 ext. 112.