For more details on how the stay-home order will be enforced in Palm Coast and Flagler, see the story here.
Speaking from his office shortly after 1 p.m. today, Gov. Ron DeSantis today said he is issuing an executive order requiring all Floridians to stay at home except to seek “essential services” for the next 30 days. The order is a reflection of a sharp turn this week by the White House, acknowledging grim weeks ahead and far more serious measures needed to contain the coronavirus, which now numbers over 200,000 Americans infected and 4,500 deaths in the country.
It makes sense to make this move now,” DeSantis said, citing conversations with White House officials. “That order will be coming out momentarily. It will go into effect tomorrow night, at midnight.” DeSantis was not immediately clear about what defined essential services, but said he would be issuing those clarifications soon. It is also not yet clear whether the order mandates that non-essential businesses must close.
“It’s clear that that represents effectively a national pause,” the governor said, referring to the president’s more sober recent statements: Trump and public health officials on Tuesday estimated that the number of Americans who could die from Covid-19 could range between 100,000 and over 200,000, despite stay-in-place orders. He said the 30-day “pause” the president has talked about was “a signal from the president” to do likewise in Florida, and expand the stay-at-home orders previously in place in South Florida. “With 30 more days, we should do it, and I think that will probably end up making sense. We’ll see. We don’t really know.”
Regarding enforcement, DeSantis was general: “The government can’t hamfist everybody into their bedroom, it’s just not practicable,” he said, but the order does carry the force of law. Law enforcement across the state and in Flagler has taken a light hand regarding enforcement, placing the priority on education first while leaving the door open for harsher measures toward repeat offenders.
As of this morning, there were just under 7,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases in Florida, with Flagler’s number rising to 20, and one of those now in critical condition, in a hospital in Volusia County. (The case counts as a Flagler number because it affects a resident of Flagler.) According to Department of Health figures, she is one of two hospitalized Flagler residents due to the virus.
An hour before the governor spoke, Palm Coast government held its first virtual town hall today, the mayor, the city manager and the county’s public health director sitting at appropriate distances from each other on the council’s dais as the coronavirus emergency added one more new aspect to local governments’ adaptation to new realities. They discussed potentially stronger stay-in-place orders–not yet aware that the governor would do that for them–when the golf course might reopen, whether the hospital is prepared for a surge of Covid-19 patients, toilet paper and the changing thoughts on wearing masks.
“If you’re fortunate enough to have a mask, wear it,” Bob Snyder, the county’s health department chief, said. “If you don’t have a mask, use a scarf, use a bandana. But what about masks for food preparers and servers? Per the food and drug administration, there is no current evidence that supports the transmission of Covid-19 associated with food or food processing, or food packaging. Anyone preparing food or distributing food should practice social distancing, wear gloves, practice frequent handwashing” and not allowing sick employees to handle or distribute food to the public. “Again, if you have a mask or face-covering, do wear it.”
The one-hour town hall, accessible through YouTube or the city’s Palm Coast Connect app, was hosted by Mayor Milissa Holland, City Manager Matt Morton and Snyder. The city intends to hold virtual town hall meetings weekly, with AdventHealth Palm Coast Chief Operating Officer Wally de Aquino co-hosting next week.
Testing was again an issue. Snyder said the shortages are dictating the current approach, which mandates that testing be limited to people exhibiting symptoms (though it is now becoming clearer that up to 25 percent of people affected with Covid-19 are a-symptomatic: they walk around unknowingly spreading.)
Much of the discussion today reiterated what officials have been saying on almost every public appearance, through media or other virtual town halls (the district’s congressman, Mike Waltz, is hosting his second such meeting later this afternoon, again with Snyder). Some of it clarified existing rules, such as the closure of the city’s 125-miles of trails, which drew a skeptical question from a resident: why close trails when the city has closed off all other avenues of outdoor activity? Holland said it was a matter of consistency. For the same reason, the mayor’s 90/90 fitness challenge was also suspended.
Several issues revolved around the way the public health emergency has upended quality of life habits.
“The only thing we know that works right now, which is why we’re coming to you virtually, is social distancing,” Morton said. “We’re practicing that here. As you’re aware, City Hall has been closed for two weeks. We have the majority of our workforce able and working remotely, heeding our own stay-at-home, stay-safe order and the governor’s order. We’re limiting to essential tasks.” Others have been reassigned to helping residents and departments with essential functions. He said there are virtual art and virtual film contests going on, and other sort of virtual activities, through the city.
The Governor’s Stay-Home Executive Order:
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Pissed in PC says
Sorry Ronny but the horse got out of the barn weeks ago. Daddy Trump had to tell him what to do. Another spineless politician. Still waiting on those tests for everyone that wants one gets one. Hoping that jerk that owns Hobby Lobby gets his stores closed too since he refused to pay sick leave to his employees. Stores should limit it to 50 people at a time too, don’t drag your entire family with you to grocery shop.
Better yet why is the critically ill from the virus in Volusia a hospital? Can Advent Flagler not handle it?
Buckle up Flagler cause it’s gonna be a long summer.
Polly Piss Pants says
Why are people still bicycling around town when this was suppose to be shut down last week ? And NO their not going to essential businesses . If I can’t go to the Beach, these spandex idiots need to be off the roads !!!
Sherry says
Why? Why? Why? Does the trumpsantis administration consider “gun shops” to be “essential services”?
https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/trump-administration-rules-gun-shops-essential-amid-virus
WhackAMole says
Is he going to pay my full paycheck during this month? How about all my bills? Is he going to have to pay minimums just to get out of debt? Nope. Unemployment is a joke in this state, even with the extra 600$.
DeSantis admitted it’s been in the state since Feb 2. You think it stayed isolated to one region? Not the way people travel in this state. What’s happening is people with minor symptoms are rushing to get tested to say they have COVID when prior to this, they would’ve said, it’s the worst flu I ever had. I’m sorry, but if it’s been here since Feb 2 and it’s now April 1, how many people had it already here that didn’t know it? All those pneumonia cases not attributed to the flu. Entire workplaces getting sick with something that felt like flu but wasn’t. This is beyond ridiculous at this point–forget testing just the sickest, do the antibody test and find out how many people here have had it and get them back to work. Isolate all the people that haven’t been infected and let (I would wager my entire wealth on this) the majority of the state go back to work.
The R0 on this is not 1.5-2.5, it’s more contagious than measles, which is an R0 of 10. Think about it, it’s not rocket science, information is out there from credible sources globally, medical doctors, scientists, saying just how contagious this is, and that possibly millions upon millions are already infected globally with up 80% showing minor symptoms and of that 80%, potentially 50% may not show any. I get this is new, and people have no immunity, and this nation is unhealthy as a whole, but part of me thinks if no one knew it was here, only the most severe would’ve sought out hospital care, not everyone that had a “heavy” chest that oftentimes happens with flu. Sometimes, knowledge creates panic, sometimes it creates calm.
Lynnette Perry says
Can anyone tell me the date and time of the next virtual town hall meeting? Thank you.
Steve Ward says
Yeah ok you all finally got it but a Month ago instead of waiting to be told to do it would have been better. Make a decision on the welfare and health of the residents in your State. IMO YOU Gov. DeSantis failed miserably
Hmmm says
Because its all word play. Outdoor recreational activities are still permitted even with the stay at home order.
Gary R says
Guns shops essential probably because inmates charged with violent crimes poised for release due to COVID-19. https://www.abc15.com/news/national/inmates-charged-with-violent-crimes-poised-for-release-due-to-covid-19
Which makes no sense.
Have to protect your family because by the time police get there they can only identify the dead body.
Joker says
I’m enjoying my time at home with my husband. He is terminally ill, and each day is precious. Everyone isn’t miserable staying at home. Good luck and best wishes to you.
What the order REALLY means says
Read the executive order the gov signed! It clearly states what stays open and how people can go out to these businesses. What a joke! Everything that’s open today, will still be open tomorrow! Car dealerships, Lowes, cleaning supply stores, swimming pool stores, etc. The list goes on. Essential should be essential! Food and pharmacy. I don’t get it??? Sounds good and all, but it really means nothing. People will be moving around just the same. We all must take it upon ourselves to stay put for as long as you can if you really want to NOT become infected. God Bless us all!
Robin Broadfield says
This is paranoia.
Percy's mother says
Go to: Palm Coast Connect.
Sign up.
You will get updates.
You will be able to view the town halls.
As well, you can conduct all City of Palm Coast business via “Palm Coast Connect”
Angela Mahler says
Why are people allowed to go to church?if you can stay 6 ft away in church, you can stay 6 ft away in restaurants, gyms etc.
It makes no sense!
Doug says
Someone needs to remind the Yanks that the “stay at home” executive order applies to EVERYONE, including the idiots who think cruising up and down the intracoastal waterway is acceptable. Especially the knucklehead in the pontoon boat with 10 people on board Saturday afternoon. Unbelievable the stupidity of some.