FLORIDA REOPENING: PHASE 1
This week, Governor DeSantis announced that Florida would begin “phase one” of reopening on Monday, May 4. His plan is named “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step.”, and it is indeed all three of those things. The guidelines are available here if you want to read them in full, and FAQs and answers are available here.
The Governor’s plan sets forth the following guidelines for the state (with the exception of a few parts of South Florida, where the spread of COVID-19 has not slowed):
- Vulnerable individuals should avoid close contact with people outside the home
- All individuals, when in public, should maximize physical distance from others
- Avoid settings of 10 people or more that do not readily allow for physical distancing
- Face masks are recommended for all face-to-face interactions and situations where you can’t social distance
- Schools remain distance learning
- Visits to senior living facilities are prohibited
- Elective surgeries can resume
- Restaurants may offer outdoor seating with 6-foot space between tables and indoor seating at 25-percent capacity
- Retail can operate at 25 percent of indoor capacity
- No changes for bars, gyms and personal services such as hairdressers
Furthermore, on Monday, Florida State Parks will re-open access to trails, including some beach access (with limited facilities). Visitors will be asked to continue practicing proper social distancing, limiting groups to fewer than 10 people, and continuing to stay six feet apart.
STATEWIDE INFORMATION
Visit the COVID-19 dashboard created by the Florida Department of Health (updated twice daily). The Agency for Health Care Administration published a data dashboard of current hospital bed availability to provide the public with greater visibility on hospital capacity.
If you have questions about what Florida is doing to combat the Coronavirus, call the Florida COVID-19 hotline at 866-779-6121, or email [email protected]. They can answer questions about Coronavirus symptoms, news, and how to donate or volunteer in areas impacted by the virus.
The Florida Department of Health website provides an abundance of information on COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a page dedicated to COVID-19, available HERE.
The CDC has released new updates on the best processes during the coronavirus. For information on cleaning and disinfecting your home when someone is sick, click HERE. For tips on how to protect yourself, click HERE.
COUNTY INFORMATION
Click on your county for the most up-to-date information on closures in Escambia, Okaloosa, Holmes, Santa Rosa, and Walton Counties:
MILITARY UPDATES
All of our local military installations are regularly updating their websites with information about base access (and more) due to the pandemic.
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
Fox News — April 29, 2020
Rep. Matt Gaetz unveils legislation to deport all illegal immigrants during a pandemic
“Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., unveiled legislation Tuesday that would force the government to deport all illegal immigrants held in the U.S. when a national emergency is declared because of a communicable disease — the latest call for tougher border and immigration restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic.”
Hannity.com — April 28, 2020
Gaetz on Hannity: ‘I Wish Democrats Would Spend Half as Much Time Working with Trump as Removing Him’
“GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz called-out his Democratic colleagues on ‘Hannity’ Monday night, saying he wished liberal lawmakers would spend ‘half as much time’ working with the President as they do ‘trying to remove him from office.’”
WEAR TV — April 30, 2020
WEAR TV: Gov. Ron DeSantis to speak in Pensacola Friday regarding COVID-19
“Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will hold a press conference Friday in Escambia County regarding COVID-19. It will take place at 1 p.m. at the University of West Florida Softball Complex located at 11000 University Parkway, Campus Dr. Congressman Matt Gaetz and Florida National Guard Adjutant General James Eifert are also set to speak.”
Pensacola News Journal — April 29, 2020
Congressman Matt Gaetz says he believes there will be a second round of stimulus checks
“U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz said he believes a second round of stimulus checks will be in the next coronavirus aid package passed by Congress. Gaetz made the prediction Wednesday morning during a Facebook livestream with Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, saying Congress is working on a CARES Act 2.0.”
Wall Street Journal — May 1, 2020
U.S. Probes University of Texas Links to Chinese Lab Scrutinized Over Coronavirus
“The Education Department’s scrutiny of money that could have flowed from the China-based lab to the U.S. comes after other U.S. officials criticized money that went in the opposite direction. In an April 21 letter to House and Senate leadership, members of Congress led by Sen. Martha McSally (R., Ariz.) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R., Fla.) criticized a grant by the National Institutes of Health that supported global research on coronaviruses, including at the Wuhan lab.”
South Florida Sun Sentinel — April 28, 2020
Republicans can be on front lines of finding free-market solutions to climate change
“As a proud resident of Miami-Dade County, I’m acutely aware of the threat sea-level rise poses to South Florida as well as other parts of the Sunshine State. Other Florida Republicans like U.S. Reps. Brian Mast and Matt Gaetz, along with Gov. Ron DeSantis, have proven that climate change can — and should — be an issue that conservatives are vocal about.”
WHAT WE’RE READING
Daily Signal — April 30, 2020
EXCLUSIVE: Trump Denies COVID-19 Funds to Planned Parenthood
Washington Examiner — May 1, 2020
US allies move toward Trump, demanding coronavirus investigation despite Chinese threats
Townhall — May 1, 2020
The Constitution Is Not Suspended In Times Of Crisis
New York Post — May 1, 2020
China’s military expels US Navy warship from South China Sea
Breitbart — May 1, 2020
Unsealed FBI Docs Show Agents Plotting to Pressure Michael Flynn to Lie to Prosecute Him, Get Him Fired
The Atlantic — May 1, 2020
What Life Looks Like After Lockdown
|
