Last Updated: 12:14 p.m.
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Flagler is now three, Department of Health figures indicate in the daily, midday update, up from one the evening before.
“One of the positive cases was diagnosed in a different county,” Bob Snyder, director of the Flagler Health Department, said. The patient was swabbed in St. Johns County. “One individual is being treated outside the county.”
The youngest of the three is 45, the oldest is 72. The cases involve one man and two women. Only one of the three has been hospitalized. But the origin of the disease for all three has not been determined.
The department lists cases according to the person’s county of residency, not according to where the person happens to be in treatment or in isolation. But Snyder said he would provide those distinctions as soon as they are available. But he won’t disclose more precisely where the individuals are being treated, citing patient privacy.
“As we expected with the additional testing capability, we are seeing more calls from the public related to folks who believe that they have been exposed,” Snyder said. “So we are providing comfort, reassurance, guidelines and direction to all the phone calls that we’re getting.” The department is also conducting coronavirus testing today.
It is also kicking in its next phase in the response to the emergency: contact tracing. That’s when health department nurses and epidemiologists turn into investigators. They learn from each infected individual where that individual has been recently and with whom the individual has had contact, including friends, neighbors and the like. The health department teams then seek to find and speak to each of those individuals.
“In most cases it’s individuals who just require some counseling and guidance, but we want to make sure we’re capturing all individuals who need to be screened, monitored, tested and treated,” Snyder said. That, in turn, may lead to further confirmations of positive tests.
Contact tracing is very laborious and time intensive. Elsewhere in the country health departments have been overwhelmed by the task, and have sought out the help of volunteers. Flagler is not at that point. Three individuals are assigned to the task at the local health department, which also cross-trained employees to provide support. For instance, dental health personnel is now supporting the department’s more urgent tasks. Actual testing will remain in the hands of registered nurses.
The department has two strategies for handling a surge of demand on its contact-tracing duties.
“What happens then if we need additional resources we will put in a mission request to the department of health in Tallahassee, for additional resources, whether it be nurses or epidemiologists,” Snyder said. Second, “Jonathan Lord and I have discussed the need for additional resources for our health department when that need is identified, and through Flagler Volunteer Services, we have a list of retired medical and health care personnel whom we can call upon to train and help us, just like we did during Hurricanes Matthew, Irma and Dorian, when we opened the special needs shelter. We just have a wonderful group of retired or not-working-right-now medical and health care professionals in the community who gladly volunteer their time.”Snyder is on the board of directors of Flagler Volunteer Services, which facilitates coordination. “We will definitely know when we need to call in for additional help,” he said. “We are in the beginnings of this event, this crisis.”
There are 1,171 confirmed cases in Florida and 14 deaths attributed to Covid-19. Ten days ago, there were just 42 cases in the state.
As of Sunday evening at 6 p.m., 49 coronavirus tests had been administered in Flagler County, according to the Department of Health, six of them at AdventHealth Palm Coast. That report is updated only around 6 p.m. daily, so it does not reflect tests conducted in the past 12 to 18 hours.
The department has confirmed that the first case to register as that of a Flagler resident, on Sunday evening, affects a 72-year-old woman, but the department could not determine whether the case was travel-related or whether the woman had had contact with another person who was confirmed to have had Covid-19. Absent those two criteria, the infection would be considered to be community transmission, or spread.
Broward and Dade continue to lead the state with confirmed cases, at 258 and 267 respectively. Duval is at 46, Volusia at 15, St. Johns at 18, Putnam at two.
Today’s earlier developments are below.
Calling Covid-19 Emergency “Our Category 5,” Palm Coast Mayor Holland Issues Voluntary Stay-Home Order
Stepping ahead of the state–Gov. DeSantis on Sunday said there was no shelter-in-place order on the horizon for Florida–Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland Sunday evening issued a voluntary stay-home order to all Palm Coast residents in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
“The City of Palm Coast issues this call to action, and requests that all individuals currently living within the City of Palm Coast voluntarily comply with the terms of this Order,” the proclamation Holland signed reads. The mayor is also asking that movements and gatherings be limited to immediate family members, and that residents should leave home only for certain functions.The voluntary order reflects sharply growing alarm among leaders, locally as well as across the globe, about the virulence of Covid-19, which spreads easily and whose more severe victims of of infection have been overwhelming hospitals, though that has not happened locally or in Florida yet. (The governor said Sunday there are more than 18,000 beds available statewide, including nearly 1,700 adult intensive care unit beds.) The virus can be slowed significantly, if not stopped, but it requires drastic measures, with stay-at-home orders playing a big role. In open societies, such orders depend on rigorous compliance by individuals.
“We are asking our residents to be responsible, to understand the implications of gatherings and to minimize contact by staying at home as we ride this out,” Holland said. “Our law enforcement community needs to be as healthy as possible as we go through this. They still have to be on the job, answering calls and taking the necessary steps to keep our community safe. Just as our Firefighters and EMT’s. So please, don’t put them at further risk by minimizing contact in order to minimize the spread of Covid-19. We know that is our best way to counteract this pandemic.”
Essential functions as outlined in the Palm Coast order include activities “essential” to health and safety, such as getting medicines, groceries and other vital supplies, visiting a doctor or a veterinarian or getting supplies needed for work, to perform work “providing essential products and services,” to care for family or pets in another household, but with minimum contact, and to travel to and from work. “However,” the order states, “all efforts should be made to work remotely. If remote work is not available, businesses should adhere to the CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to plan and respond to Coronavirus Diseases 2019 (COVID‐19).”
“I have now been through two Hurricanes as Mayor,” Holland said this morning in an interview conducted by text. “We ask our residents during those events to be prepared, to shelter in place as we weather the storm, to keep our first responders and employees safe by adhering to the rules in an effort to protect all impacted. This is our category 5. The only way we know to mitigate the impact and save lives is to avoid contact as much as possible. Stopping the spread of this pandemic. This is our moment as a community to come together, do our part and rise to the occasion.”
The city order does not affect city services. Twice a week garbage pick-up is continuing, for example.
As of this morning at 6, Flagler Beach and Flagler County closed 18 miles of beaches until further notice. That’s not a voluntary order. The state ordered all bars, gyms and restaurants closed, allowing restaurants to operate only on a take-out basis. Palm Coast and the county closed their parks and trails and all public access to government buildings except in certain circumstances.
With the beaches, the parks, the restaurants and bars, the sheriff “would assist, but it’s not his order type thing,” a Flagler County Sheriff’s spokesperson said of Rick Staly this morning. “He is more focused on more educating the public and not going out and arresting everybody who’s violating these orders.” She added: “everybody is in a difficult situation right now so we’re not looking to making that work by making an arrest.”
As for Palm Coast, “the voluntary order to stay home, there’s nothing we can really do for that,” the spokesperson said.
The measures are designed to limit the spread of COVID-19, with upwards of 1,000 infections in Florida as of Sunday evening, and many more expected ahead. Flagler County officially only has one or two confirmed cases. That’s expected to change rapidly as well. The figures are artificially low for now because of very limited testing. Holland said she is working with mayors from around the country “to get tests to our community quickly, as well as protective gear for those on the front line.”
“This is only a recommendation at this time,” Holland said of the Palm Coast order. “We will be getting this out to our residents by utilizing several communication methods. We hope our residents will stay at home unless they must go out for necessities only. We have closed all public facilities in an effort to encourage sheltering in place.”New York and California have issued enforceable shelter-in-place orders. Local public health officials said at the end of last week that Florida might be moving in the same direction, though so far Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has resisted closing the state’s beaches–he left that decision in the hands of localities–is resisting issuing a stay-in place order.
At the Government Services Building this morning, county and school district employees were lining up to get their temperature taken before going into the building, and keeping generous distances between themselves.
Sheriff Staly said that the social distancing recommendation “doesn’t appear to be taken as seriously by some,” while he also sees “a lot of anxiety” over how long the emergency will last and what consequences it will have. A hurricane can be visualized, approaching, striking, then passing. Coronavirus, on the other hand, “is an invisible enemy. You don’t know where it is, you don’t know who has it and who may be contagious, and don’t know they’re contagious.”
Still, he said, “the only known way to stop the spread of this virus today is to stop and minimize the human interaction, the social distancing and all that.”
Staly said that unlike the trends during hurricane emergencies, calls for service have not slowed down, with car breaks and Baker Acts continuing, if not increasing. He is especially concerned about mental health issues as people feel cooped up. There were 204 people at the Flagler County jail as of Sunday evening, in line with recent averages, with 23 of those incarcerated in misdemeanor charges. The rest have felony charges. The jail is at 50 percent capacity, Staly said, enabling the agency to take various measures if necessary.
Social distancing has been spreading across the country, though at a slower pace in the South. In addition to New York and California, Delaware, Louisiana and Ohio are enacting stay-at-home orders effective today or tomorrow. Kentucky has ordered all non-essential businesses to close. Philadelphia, St. Louis, Kansas City, New Orleans, and many other smaller cities have stay at home orders.
The United States is now only behind China and Italy in total number of Covid-19 cases, at around 35,000, with upwards of 450 deaths attributed to the disease. Thirteen Florida residents have died from the disease.
President Trump was suggesting there were limits to the measures being taken, tweeting that “We cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself. At the end of the 15 day period, we will make a decision which way we want to go!”
Anthony Tucker, a long-time physician in Palm Coast, this morning posted the following: “I hear a lot of people getting upset about the lack of tests. Remember a positive test doesn’t change your treatment. If your have symptoms without shortness of breath, including anosmia (loss of smell) then consider your self a positive and self quarantine for 2 weeks. You only need to go to the hospital if you are short of breath, if at that point the physician determines that a test will alter your treatment course then they will perform a test. The largest number of cases will only be mildly symptomatic, a positive test will not change your treatment or your disease course in anyway. If we all self quarantine for 2-3 weeks this could be over. Be smart people.”
PB says
Common sense. All my life it has amazed me, some have it and some just don’t!
Steve says
If its common why is there so little of it. Lol
The Voice Of Reason says
Here it is Mon morning. Palm Coast mayor has requested everyone stay at home. Flagler County flight school airport is operating business as usual. With their slow, loud, underpowered planes they continue to torment airport neighborhood residents with their breathtakingly selfish behavior. These people have a special place reserved for them in you know where. Greed motivates their every move. They know they are hated and seem to revel in it. This airport has reached a point where it should be shut down altogether. Closed. Completely. Greed propels their every breath. Compromise has no home in their existance. CLOSE THIS AIRPORT. PERMENANTLY. NOW!!!!!
Just a thought says
Voice of reason, what better place to isolate yourself than at 2000 feet? If I could fly I would be air everyday. The airport, just like any money making venture, will continue to grow. Accept it or move. Your only two options.
Robert James says
The airport has been there for over 25 years…how long have you lived there?
Bill says
closer to 75 YEARS…
Bill Nelson says
I thought you claimed to be a voice of reason ??
The little guy says
Your voice of reason is heard and you’re not alone. I live in the F section (nowhere near an airport) and we have to deal with the noise and safety concerns from flight schools all day and night. Many people in PC who do not live near Flagler Airport may not realize that most of the City of Palm Coast is considered a, “Congested Area” according to FAA standards. In the F section, a good majority our flight school traffic comes from Daytona. I have been reporting to the FAA, any plane that drops below the regulatory 1000 feet rule in congested areas. That’s the least I can do for my community in regards to this issue. The L and B section should be all over this. I’ve have records of flight schools as low as 500 to 600 feet in those areas. The altitude, location and registration number of most small aircraft can be tracked on the Flightradar24 app. A telephoto lens and a steady hand or tripod can be used to capture the image needed when the FAA asks for proof. Unfortunately, The lack of support on this issue is shocking to me but the trolls who comment here are not surprising at all. That industry reaches far and wide to protect itself. Those of us on the ground who have families and are trying to enjoy our basic right to peace, both inside and outside of our homes, have been taken advantage of. Flight school traffic has only increased and there does not appear to be a regulated number of schools. Should the 99% of Floridians on the ground who have no interest in flight training have a say? I think it’s about time we should.
This is from a recent County Commission Workshop:
https://youtu.be/yKA5fSsFjXs
Report low flying aircraft to the FAA here:
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/fsdo/
The Voice Of Reason says
Close this airport. NOW! Permanently! Flight schools have created a living hell for residents. Turn it into a park. I would even take housing. Get rid of Flagler County flight school airport
The Geode says
It’s easier than YOU move rather than dictate the business operations of an entity that was here BEFORE you decided to come here…
Gina Weiss says
WOW, sounds to me like more and more people are being affected by the flight schools noise nuisance like I had mentioned a couple of months back and more and more will be as this airport expands lowering house values not to mention the physical and mental toll. As a community we should all ban together and not let officials BS us up cause they do not live in those areas, in fact Roy Sieger , the do nothing for his own greed and benefit airport operator, lives 1 and 1/2 hour away from Flagler, just like your Mullins does not live in Bunnell-too beneath him! People put your PEDAL TO THE METAL and vote this election, 2 seats up in the FCBOCC , Sheriff also. People in NY are calling police for toilet paper which is absurd and authorities don’t want to be bothered with noise nuisance but will answer a call if neighbors complain about loud music. It is unbelievable what we are enduring over our heads with this pandemic going on while our homes are our only sanctuary, and we have filmed flight planes 200-300 feet soaring loud and low above us. They should build something here that benefits the whole community, a mall or how about a water park with restaurants where people and families can go to enjoy themselves, the people who are employed there now can get jobs at those facilities and anyone who says NAY watch out for, most likely they are the ones who are benefiting the most.
JD says
All this social distancing and closures, my wife and I went to Wadsworth park to get some fresh air and walk yesterday and there was a entire team out there on the sports field practicing La Cross….seriously??? How could the county allow this in these times. I have pictures to prove it…. Went by Flagler beach yesterday, absolutely PACKED. Guess maybe now they are closing beaches and parks, too little too late……Volusia County take notice
Bob Remington says
So what were you doing at the park or at the beach ? shouldn’t you be at home also? just saying i guess if you can’t beat it join them.
Uhhh says
Really? For one case? The flu has still infected and killed more. FL is a state of 22 million. We have just over 1,000 cases. I get it, it’s a new disease, blah, blah, blah. Is the COPC going to stop issuing citations if we cannot get gas to mow our grass? Or will they go into hyperdrive and issue citations for everything? I’m sorry but this is over the top. Lock down the counties with the most cases. You bring the city, and the state to a grinding halt, I hope they open up their check books because someone needs to pay us for lost wages and unemployment is a joke right now, unless they pass legislation for 4-6 months of full pay unemployment because these job losses are no fault of our own. This is beyond ridiculous at this point and frankly I’m over it and I’m not staying at home. I don’t fear this virus. Living in fear is no way to live.
Diane says
Bright side…maybe you will get it.
attila says
That’s a no brainer>>>
Lisa says
Unless there is a MANDATED ORDER…with CONSEQUENCES..good luck with that. You see what is going on in NYC. Still walking around hand in hand or playing basketball. People are in denial that it cant happen to them. More severe ramifications need to be put in place with in home orders and food and supply limits to stop the hoarding. PLEASE DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE. Close our state borders as well. No migrating from NY to FL. Stay home in your own place.
dennis mcdonald says
The pages of Flaglerlive responses to this National Crisis are full of NEGATIVE comments on our Governor DeSantis.
Since we now have a “Stay at home Order” and have more time let us reflect on what MIGHT have happened had Ron not been elected. ” Democrat Gillum” would be calling the shots. Scary………….https://nypost.com/2020/03/14/man-busted-with-andrew-gillum-in-hotel-room-with-meth-was-gay-escort/ This reference was selected by Google as the first article offered. Let us be thankful that the Voters made the right choice as circumstances now confirm.
“The truth shall set you free”
Many Thanks to the Florida Voters.
Nancy N. says
Reveling in a broken man hitting bottom is more a reflection on you than it is on him.
Percy's mother says
HOWEVER, the facts do need to be publicized so Florida voters realize what a bullet we dodged.
No more, no less.
Voters have the right to know.
Feel free to revel more, Dennis.
Is what it is says
But imagine that would’ve been our governor strung out on meth with a gay prostitute?Take note how that’s not blasted all over the news
Well... says
Since I still have work, and work out of the city, no I will not voluntarily comply with this order because I need money to pay my bills, eat, and live. Unless the city of Palm Coast is going to pay me my full salary to comply with their order, it’s not happening. So…one case in the entire county makes them go bananas? I will bet my entire house, savings, and monies, it’s been here in this state since January. We are a tourist state. People from Asia come here, Italy, Europe, etc. It’s been here. It was only “found” because someone returned home from overseas and was sick, so it prompted a test. That’s the only reason they “found” this anywhere in the country. Hospitals are overwhelmed because people with minor symptoms are going. If you have minor symptoms, does it matter if you satisfy your curiosity and get tested? No. You will get over it, just treat it like you would any cold or flu. What they should do is lock down all people over the age of 65, those with compromised immune systems, underlying health conditions, and those that are infirm and let the rest of us work to keep the economy going. Instead of testing for Covid, maybe they should test people to see if they have underlying health conditions they are unaware of so we can put them someplace safe. Statistics say there are over 250 million people in this country with a known or unknown underlying health condition. Out of those 250, about 100 million have no idea they have something brewing. This country is one of the unhealthiest in the world because people rely on medication to live. It’s the American way, after all.
So, city, when can I expect a check from you covering my salary if I comply? Hmm?
Pissed in PC says
It’s your mentality that will keep this virus going. It’s striking many more in the 20-50 age bracket with many of them in ICU. Most seniors and those of high risk have been staying home (unless you’re a republican believing it’s still a hoax) Not to mention we can’t find needed essentials cause greedy people are hoarding meats, bread, milk, tp and disinfecting wipes. If we try to order online our orders get cancelled cause of no product. But go right ahead and roll the dice with your life
Jean MacAllister says
Oh, how I agree. This senior citizen with lung cancer remission and a retired Respiratory Therapist has been “stay at home” since all this started. On earlier drives to get out for a bit I have seen those who are cautious and those who could care less. We all need to care. This is for OUR family and others.
Well, Isolate Yourself says
Who do you think cares for the elderly folks? The ill folks and the immunocompromised. Do they all live alone? Okay, if they arent allowed to go out, how will they eat? Who gets their medicine for them? Does their shopping? It sounds like YOU’RE the one with a problem who needs to be isolated. We don’t live in a vacuum. This is a community, which means people should stop being selfish and have concern for others.
Gary R says
You should try reading the article. Palm Coast Mayor Holland Issues Voluntary Stay-Home Order. Essential functions as outlined in the Palm Coast order include activities “essential” to health and safety, such as getting medicines, groceries and other vital supplies, etc. and to travel to and from work. However, the order states all efforts should be made to work remotely. What part of that didn’t you understand? You can go to work. So, what is your problem?
noneyobuz says
Nice!
frustrated says
Great Read for those who don’t understand the necessity of staying at home!!!!!
Emily Landon is the chief infectious disease epidemiologist at the University of Chicago Medicine, who moments after Pritzker issued the ordinance to take effect Saturday evening, Landon took to the stand with a 7-minute-long speech that went viral after striking a chord for many individuals.
“Good Afternoon, everyone. First of all, I want to send my sincere gratitude and support to all the healthcare workers in Illinois and around the world. Despite doing our best to prepare for a respiratory virus pandemic, we now find ourselves facing a brand-new virus with too little information, not enough personal protective equipment, changing protocols every single day and no second chances. University of Chicago Medicine and every other hospital in the state has been and is working very closely with our public health departments. Without these partnerships with each other and with public health and the CDC. We could not have made it this far and we will not get much further and so I express my gratitude to everyone working in public health. All of us in the field of infectious diseases and public health community are united in our efforts and agree with this course of action. I’ve spoken with many of my colleagues across the city and the state and we all acknowledge that this is the only way forward.
This virus is unforgiving. It spreads before you even know you’ve caught it and it tricks you into believing that it’s nothing more than a little influenza. For many of us, it may be just a little flu so it can be very confusing when schools are closed, restaurants are shuttered and now this virus is taking what’s left of our precious liberty. The real problem is not the 80 percent who will get over this in a week. It’s the 20 percent of patients, the older, those who are immunocompromised, those that have other medical problems who are going to need a bit more support- some oxygen or even a ventilator and life support. We do amazing things like this to save patients in our American hospitals and across the world every single day but we can’t take care of everyone at once. And we can’t keep that low mortality promise if we can’t provide the support patients need.
Our healthcare system doesn’t have any slack. There are no empty wards waiting for patients or nurses waiting in the wings. We barely even have enough masks for the nurses that we have. Looking back to the last time we were left with limited tools and a dangerous infection spreading quickly was the beginning of the 1918 pandemic. Two cities in America made different choices about how to proceed when only a few patients were affected. St. Louis shut itself down and sheltered in place. But Philadelphia went ahead with a huge parade to celebrate soldiers heading off to war. A week later, Philadelphia hospitals were overrun and thousands were dead. Many more than St. Louis. This is a cautionary tale for our time.
Things are already tough at Illinois hospitals, including mine. There is no vaccine or readily available antiviral to help stem the tide. All we have to slow the spread is distance. Social distance. If we let every patient with this infection infect three more people and then each of them infect two or three people, there won’t be a hospital bed when my mother can’t breathe very well or when yours is coughing too much.
So, in my house, we’ve made a lot of sacrifices. We don’t go out anymore. This is the first time I’ve left my house in days because I’m leading our efforts in emergency planning from home. My son has traded in sports, a science conference, and the fifth-grade bake sale for puzzles, video chats, and e-learning. This isn’t the life any of us expected and certainly there are other who will make much greater sacrifices and there are more than a few disappointments to come but this isn’t forever like the governor said. It will last longer than any of us wants it to but it will still just be a piece of our whole lives and we have to remember that.
How can soccer or book club be so dangerous? Why ask so much of people for just a few hundred cases? Because it’s the only way to save lives. And now is the time. The numbers you see today in the news are the people are the people who got sick a week ago. And there are so many people who got sick today who haven’t even noticed that they got sick yet. They picked up the virus and it’ll take a week to see that show in our numbers. Waiting for hospitals to be overwhelmed will leave the following week’s patients with nowhere to go. In short, without taking drastic measures, the healthy and optimistic among us will doom the vulnerable.
We need to fight this fire before it grows too high. But these extreme restrictions may seem in the end a little anticlimactic because it’s really hard to feel like you’re saving the world when you’re watching Netflix on your couch but, if we do this right, nothing happens. Yes. A successful shelter in place means that you will feel like it was all for nothing. And you would be right. Because “nothing” means that nothing happened to your family and that’s what we are going for here.
Even starting now we can’t stop the cases from coming fast and furious at least in the next couple of weeks and in the short term but with a real commitment to sheltering in place and a whole lot of patience, we can help protect our critical workers who need to use public transportation in order to safely get to where they need to go. We can give our factories time to ramp up their production of all that PPE so that we have enough masks to last.
We can make more medications and learn more about how we can use them to help save more lives. Even a little time makes a huge difference. It will take more than a week to start seeing the rate of increase slow down and that’s a complicated thing to say it will take even longer to see the rate come down and see it slowing and infections going down so please don’t give up.
I’ve lived in Illinois my entire life and I know we will get through this together and find a way back to the life that we used to live. Public health and hospitals have been working hard for a long time and now it’s your turn to do your part. This is a huge sacrifice to make but a sacrifice that can make thousands of differences, maybe even a difference in your family too.”
Timmy says
right on,
danm50 says
I wish unqualified politicians would stop using unqualified information to disrupt society, Mayor . Not ALL people need to be quarantined. Listen to the doctors and scientist before stomping on our RIGHTS.
I give up says
What rights? They are just asking you to stay home for a while or limit your activities to stop the spread. Its not forever. Palm Coast is a nice community and has nice homes. Do you really hate your house that much that you can’t go out in your backyard for a couple of weeks? Is the beach all there is to your life? Some of you people who say they are always under attack from this or that. Just let Flagler Hospital know in advance that you will not take YOUR RIGHT to take a ventilator.
Bob Remington says
Can an owner of a private cleaning company MAKE YOU go to work? this person states that you can stay at home only if it’s VOLUNTARY! will this affect if this person gets fired she won’t be able to file for unemployment?
Lisa says
Does the person have at risk people at home? Is this cleaning person at risk? Do they have young children at that need care? If she loses her job I will be happy to start up a new cleaning business with her. I need a job we will have to talk.
Debbie says
Thank you for keeping the News coming to PC residents. Once the ‘tracking’ has been done for the folks that tested positive, can you please share this details.
Thank you in advance. Social distancing all.
mark mason says
You need a healthy body and mind, to fight this. Fishing or walking the beach is no more dangerous than opening the door at the post office. Open the beach soon…
Dennis says
I think closing the beach, parks and trails is nuts. Look out fir all the bikers riding the roads. Outdoors was best, not it’s not. Crazy city politics. A joke.
Mark says
Damn, I’m out of toilet paper!
Dr. James says
Comparing the “transformative” era with today reveals stark differences. On October 24, 2009, President Barack Obama declared Swine Flu a national emergency in the United States. On November 12, 2009, the CDC reported an estimated 22 million Americans had been infected with H1N1 and 4,000 Americans had died.
On December 10, 2009, the CDC reported an estimated 50 million Americans or 1 in 6 people had been infected with H1N1 Virus and 10,000 Americans had died, by which time the vaccine was beginning to be widely distributed to the general public by several states. Big media didn’t flinch and the president kept his feet on his desk.
Thus far, 35,075 cases of COVID-19 and 458 deaths have been reported in the U.S. Of those deaths, 99 percent were found to have had serious pre-existing conditions. As expected, big media are hysterical and in spite of a historic response, colossal hounding of Trump continues.
Percy's mother says
EXACTLY Dr. James.
If you do the math in percentages, the incidence is actually very low.
But hysteria rules.
Greedy says
Friday afternoon with passed by Finns n Flagler Beach. 2 deep at the bar, no tables shut down. Business as usual for the greedy bastards. The place was packed
Layla says
How many hands are opening that door at the post office hourly? Do you supposed they are all well and virus free? Many are going to get the shock of their lives when the Florida Dept. of Health knocks on your door, tells you that YOU ARE EXPOSED, and forces a mandatory 14 day day quarantine on you, one which is enforceable by a judge.
Good luck all! Never realized how many here don’t believe the laws apply to them.
Sherry says
I am absolutely fine with all those (likely in the FOX cult) who are adamant that they know better. Adamant that they will damned well do as they please and irresponsibility disobey guidelines that are meant to keep us all safer.
It’s Very Simple. All I ask is that you stay away from me and my friends and loved ones, and do not touch anything I “may” touch.
When it comes time that you/yours needs “my” hard earned tax dollars for your test or medical treatment, please be sure to be just as adamant that you will pay for it yourself. Fair Enough!
Percy's mother says
We are supposed to be staying home, so it’s doubtful the Fox cult would come into contact in this particular / specific instance, “touching” or otherwise.
The Fox cult are the ones who create businesses, create jobs and pay enormous payroll taxes, as well as sweat making that payroll, and that’s actually where everyone’s hard-earned tax dollars come from for the most part.
Ever run a business? Ever made payroll? Know how much payroll taxes cost a business owner? Thought not.
Pissed in PC says
Well it’s your mentality that will keep this virus going. I had to pick up my prescription at Publix town center today and there was no social distancing. People coughing so loud you could hear it across the store. Absolute ridiculous of these selfish, only me matters attitudes in this city.
mark101 says
Damm people be safe, as the person you could protect might be your spouse, your children, your grandchildren your mother and father. Just how would you feel coming home from that bar, or ” a I don’t Care Social gathering ” and infect a family member.
Name (required) says
And here I am just wanting some toilet paper. Everybody remain calm. Lay low and relax. We gonna do this as best we can. With what we have. We’re Americans. Resilient, stubborn, outspoken Americans. But this won’t be awful if we’re vigilant. We can rip this band-aid off soon hopefully. Stay focused, and remember what’s really important.
ConcernedMom says
Some people feel entitled, or privileged, or just DONT CARE. Pine Lake golf club STILL open and people out there. I have family in Europe, the situation is HORRIBLE. Keep thinking its just 1 or 2 people in Flagler….. LISTEN and STAY HOME. walk around your yard, clean, organize, read a book, do a puzzle, you don’t need to be playing golf and out and about.
if you must go out, make it quick and protect yourself!
Sherry says
@ Percy’s Mother. . . We’ve had this conversation about you “trolling” me before. I grieve for your feeble, closed mind. AGAIN. . . you have NO ideas who I am and my many accomplishments in life. . . which DO include starting a very successful business and making payroll for those in the upper 20 percentile. Lady, you are simply out of your depth in coming after me!
Regarding those who may be in the “FOX CULT” and who may be brainwashed by partisan misinformation. . . if the shoe fits. . . Just realize “YOU” are the one(s) who keeps putting it on.