J.P. Oprison

Staff Writer

JP is a fourth-year journalism major with a minor in history. He is currently the health reporter for The Alligator, focusing on how the pandemic is affecting Alachua County and the thousands of students in Gainesville. In his free time, JP likes to exercise at the gym and relax on the beach.

Dr. Joseph Ladapo is seen on Oct. 14, 2021.

Courtesy to The Alligator

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF faces criticism after hiring Florida surgeon general critical of COVID-19 measures

By J.P. Oprison | Dec. 6, 2021

Controversy has clouded his role at UF after reports showed Board of Trustees Chair Morteza “Mori” Hosseini, who has ties to DeSantis, personally expedited Ladapo’s resume to UF Health despite his controversial views on COVID-19 measures. Ladapo’s hiring brought into question the school’s tenure process, which typically takes about a year and a half.

COVID 19

UF researcher discovers new animal coronaviruses, stresses their mutations could cause pandemics

By J.P. Oprison | Dec. 3, 2021

His studies reveal a global outbreak like COVID-19 can happen through further mutation of viruses as they continue to spread between people and animals.

Ashley Hicks

COVID 19 | UF

COVID-19 Update: Local cases, Shands hospitalizations continue falling as new Omicron variant emerges

By J.P. Oprison | Dec. 1, 2021

The new COVID-19 variant, known as Omicron, has been designated as a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization. It was first reported to WHO by South African scientists Nov. 24.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Advocates demand change following forced shock therapy case at Shands

By J.P. Oprison | Nov. 24, 2021

A Shands psychiatric patient was cornered by staff, shocked by force and left with lasting memory damage.

Ashley Hicks

COVID 19 | UF

COVID-19 Update: Local cases, Shands hospitalizations fall while statewide weekly cases rise for first time since August

By J.P. Oprison | Nov. 24, 2021

UF’s number of reported cases fell, with 23 cases from Nov. 14 to Sunday — down from 29 the previous week. The seven-day average fell below four Nov. 16 for the first time this month.

Manna Robertson

COVID 19 | UF

Shadowing program gives pre-health students experience as pandemic restrictions remain

By J.P. Oprison | Nov. 22, 2021

The program helps expose participants to healthcare professions. Its virtual format on Zoom makes shadowing more accessible for underprivileged students and parents providing for their families while fulfilling academic obligations.

Ashley Hicks

COVID 19 | UF

COVID-19 Update: County cases, Shands hospitalizations rise while UF weekly cases nearly halve

By J.P. Oprison | Nov. 17, 2021

There were a total of 177 new cases in Alachua County this week — 71 more than the prior week. From the week of Aug. 27 to last week, new cases per week fell by about 93%

Ashley Hicks

COVID 19 | UF

COVID-19 Update: UF quarantine numbers rise while county cases continue falling

By J.P. Oprison | Nov. 10, 2021

For the first time since Oct. 15, UF cases rose above 30, with at least 43 cases reported from Oct. 30 to Friday. The seven-day average rose above 4 on Nov. 1 for the first time since Oct. 16. The seven-day average was 6 as of Saturday.

Ashley Hicks

COVID 19

COVID-19 Update: Local cases, Shands hospitalizations continue falling as Florida surpasses one million booster shots

By J.P. Oprison | Nov. 3, 2021

There were 160 new cases in Alachua County this week — 35 fewer than the prior week. Weekly cases fell by nearly 90% since the week of Aug. 27, when there were 1,526 cases reported.

COVID 19

As vaccine hesitancy continues, UF Health experts engage with skeptics, give the facts

By J.P. Oprison | Nov. 1, 2021

As of last week, 95% of Shands COVID-19 patients were unvaccinated. Despite high hospitalization numbers and experts reassuring people that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, some are still skeptical about getting the shot.