Today is Thursday, May 14 and Florida has the ninth greatest number of coronavirus deaths in the nation — even though it is the third-largest state by population. The World Health Organization warned on Wednesday that the novel coronavirus “may never go away,” according to the BBC. Mike Ryan, the head of WHO’s health emergencies program, noted that we’ve failed to control outbreaks of diseases that already have vaccines, such as measles.
Mayor Carlos Gimenez announced on Wednesday that a plan for phase 1 of reopening that includes several nonessential businesses and community facilities has been submitted to Gov. Ron DeSantis for approval. It is aimed to take effect May 18. Mayor Carlos Gimenez says all recommendations have been “approved by doctors and medical experts.” The “New Normal Guide” is available for all to view here.
We hope to open some businesses closed by Miami-Dade’s COVID-19 emergency orders on May 18th. I share with you our Phase I draft guidelines for reopening submitted to Governor DeSantis for review. This information is preliminary and might change: https://t.co/F2KCHBxbSB (1/2) pic.twitter.com/7vdAU1lhOK
— Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez (@MayorGimenez) May 13, 2020
Broward County is following suit on May 18 reopening plans, and Palm Beach County is following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ issued order to implement Phase 1 of Florida’s recovery. While the Broward plan allows fewer people into restaurants, that could change, according to the Miami Herald.
Mayor @HolnessD9 held teleconference with city mayors today The majority support a phased in opening of restaurants, retail, hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, drive-in theater, gyms inside housing developments. All with strict safety protocols. May 18th is the target date. pic.twitter.com/Oc0ySIlusf
— Broward County Commission (@browardinfo) May 11, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis held a meeting on long-term care facilities at the Florida State Capitol on Wednesday, wherein he assured that plans were in place to protect employees and residents and urged staff to get tested. DeSantis believes that eventually allowing visitation from family could benefit the elderly in nursing homes. He has, however, declined to require testing in these facilities as some experts have suggested.
Local10 reported on Wednesday that 293 long-term care facility residents and staff in Miami-Dade and Broward have died.
County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava released a statement last Thursday criticizing her colleagues for refusing to back her proposal to provide paid sick leave to county contract employees. She called it a disregard for the health of workers and said it was “shameful” and “irresponsible”.
On the Caplin News: Abraham Mendoza writes about nursing students volunteering at coronavirus testing sites.
Tweet of the day:
The two types of quarantine haircut. pic.twitter.com/o8ogMCegvr
— Wuthering Tweets™ (@TimDuffy) May 8, 2020
