The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, August 29, 2021

Today at the Editor’s glance: They’re back: The Stetson University Music Department presents a faculty recital featuring Kathy Thomas, French horn and Heather Langs, piano, at 3 p.m. at Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. Admission is free. Tropical activity: Hurricane Ida continues to strengthen and will make landfall as a major hurricane this evening on the Louisiana coast. It is moving relatively rapidly, but the storm will be very damaging all the same, with a dangerous storm surge. Elliot Ackerman on Biden’s mess: “What is the value of service? How can the Biden administration claim to know, when it seems so willing to squander that value in pursuit of ill-laid plans? Apologists for the policies that brought us here claim that the catastrophic withdrawal was inevitable, that no degree of planning could have avoided this. That’s absurd. You need only look at a map to understand the inherent challenges in withdrawing from Afghanistan. Unlike Vietnam, which has hundreds of miles of coastline, Afghanistan is landlocked. The only way in or out is by air. So why were our U.S.-owned air bases shut down before an evacuation was complete? And that’s to say nothing of setting an arbitrary timeline of Sept. 11, 2021, for the complete troop withdrawal and then moving the timeline up to Aug. 31, 2021. If our back is up against a wall, it is a wall we built.” See all Flagler vaccination and covid testing details below, after the announcement about Carla Cline’s project for hospital workers.

Health Department’s Covid Testing and Vaccination Schedule and Information for Today Through Labor Day:

Due to a special event at the Flagler County Fairgrounds this weekend, the Florida Department of Health in Flagler County will offer Covid-19 testing at its main office at 301 Dr. Carter Blvd. in Bunnell.

The modified weekend schedule follows:

Saturday, 9AM to 11AM
Sunday, 9AM to 11AM

Starting Monday, August 30, testing will resume at the Flagler County Fairgrounds (150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell) weekdays from 8AM to 12 noon and weekends from 9AM to 11AM.

Priority will be given to any students, faculty and school staff of public or private schools in Flagler County, followed by the general public, who need testing appointments by calling 386-437-7350 ext. 0.

All individuals and families should consider the following when testing with DOH-Flagler.

• Testing should take place at least 3 to 5 days after exposure. Testing sooner than this may result in false negatives.
• Plan ahead and expect long lines. Bring snacks and drinks in the car, as well as books or toys to keep kids entertained while waiting for your turn.
• Wear a mask inside the testing facility. Should you test positive, you may be asked to exit the facility and wait for the rest of your party outside to avoid transmission.
• DOH employees and volunteers have been working extended hours to keep pace with the exponential demand for testing and the record-breaking number of positive COVID cases we are experiencing. We are expanding our team to help with testing, contact tracing and case investigation, and appreciate your patience during this challenging time.
• Since it may take some time for case investigators and contact tracers to reach you when/if you or your child tests positive for COVID-19, you should take initiative to protect your loved ones. You or your child will need to isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms. Talk with close contacts like family members on your own to ask them to get tested and watch for symptoms.
• If you are identified as a close contact to a person who tests positive, there is a possibility the health department may not connect with you if resources are not available.
  • If you have been vaccinated (two weeks after your final dose) you will not need to quarantine if you do not have symptoms.
  • If you have symptoms, you should get tested three to five days after exposure.

The weekday testing schedule for August 30 through September 6 follows:

Monday, August 30                 8AM to 12 noon          Flagler County Fairgrounds

Tuesday, August 31                8AM to 12 noon          Flagler County Fairgrounds

Wednesday, September 1      8AM to 12 noon          Flagler County Fairgrounds

Thursday, September 2          8AM to 12 noon          Flagler County Fairgrounds

Friday, September 3               8AM to 12 noon          Flagler County Fairgrounds

Saturday, September 4           9AM to 11AM             Flagler County Fairgrounds

Sunday, September 5           9AM to 11AM             Flagler County Fairgrounds

Monday, September 6            CLOSED for Labor Day Holiday

As a reminder, the health department does not offer testing for travel verification.

Vaccinations continue to be offered at 301 Dr. Carter Blvd three afternoons a week — Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:30 to 6:00PM well into September. Appointments are preferred; Walk-ins are welcome.

The health department is awaiting additional guidance for the administration of booster doses and expects to add vaccinations to its operation at the Flagler County Fairgrounds next month. Details will be shared when plans are finalized. Currently, CVS, Walgreens, Publix and Walmart offer boosters to immuno-compromised individuals.

For more information about Covid-19 vaccination and testing locally, please visit flagler.floridahealth.gov. For testing and vaccine appointments, please call 386-437-7350 ext. 0 weekdays between 8AM and 4:30PM.