Governor DeSantis announces more reopenings for Florida
 

At a news conference today, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that Florida will move into "Full Phase 1" beginning this Monday. That means that gyms and other fitness centers will be able to reopen their doors and operate up to 50 percent capacity. In addition, restaurants, retail shops, museums and libraries, can operate at a capacity up to 50 percent. Bars and indoor movie theaters will remain closed for the time being.

“The American people never signed up for perpetual shelter in place,” DeSantis remarked during the press conference.

DeSantis noted that theme parks can now submit reopening plans that outline guest and employee safety to be approved by local authorities. Professional sport venues may open for games, events, and training. Any professional sports teams across the country are welcome to train in Florida at this time.

As of now Florida has 42,210 positive cases and 1,875 deaths.

For more information about what is open for full phase 1, you can find the full infographic here: COVID-19 Resources

As a former librarian, I'm heartened to see those opening up and trust that all possible precautions are being put in place. There's a lot of touching of books/other media, plus lengthy indoor exposure for those who go to study or use the computers.

As much as I loved working there, I'm happy that I now only need to physically go every few years when my card expires. Ebooks (and audiobooks) forever! They're free, instant gratification, and I can easily make the text as big as I need it to be.

thanks for sharing

He announced that gyms can open Monday, but I got an email from MVP and they said they would open June 1st.

Individual businesses have the right to err on the side of caution. It also gives a small measure of relief to the employees, who don't get forced to work against their better judgment, or risk losing their unemployment checks.

That's what goes on now. All these businesses that are re-opening, now have the official blessing of the State. That means that anyone who refuses to return to work because they feel they are at risk of getting sick, loses their eligibility.

One of the questions asked in order to receive your weekly check is "are you ABLE to return to work?" They mean physically able, as in, not disabled, or sick, or at risk. If you are unable, then you are ineligible. Calling out sick means you can't collect for that week. Calling out "I'm healthy and don't want to get sick by showing up" will likely mean the same thing.

Testing
 

As I understand it a major consideration is testing and the results of the tests should
determine the opening of more and more current restrictions. Given this and the fact
that we are one of the oldest communities in the United States and we have only had
a sort of reduced testing programs with one Medical facility carrying the burden it is
appropriate to ask "what the heck is going on"? Another major consideration is the
impact on the elderly is much worse. Is it a theory that who really cares if the older
residents get ill and die? Who knows how many have the Virus here since we have very
limited if any testing? :ohdear:

Well yesterday’s edition of the DS had a 2 page article on the 2 hospital’s here( Villages and Leesburg) first line was “With coronavirus in the rear view mirror “. What’s that supposed to mean? If u get sick too bad it’s in the rear view mirror!
While I agree the hospitals have to get on with other procedures, the wording left me questioning our health care systems.

Are you referring to the wording of the DS reporter? Doesn't sound like a quote from "the health care system" that you are questioning

It's about the economy.....I believe that when decisions are made there is calculation of the collateral damage that will occur and they hope it will be low enough to warrant the reopening. We will all make our decisions based on what an acceptable risk is to us.....lets hope we make the right one. Prediction: required masks will disappear in 60 days which will be driven by Disney.

Rather than question the health care systems, you might consider questioning the media that writes those articles. Using terms like "with coronavirus in the rear view mirror" is known as editorializing. The writer of that piece was injecting his/her personal opinion - or the opinion of the newspaper. It is not a fact that the virus is behind us. It isn't even a possibility. The virus is still being spread, it is still killing people every single day all across the globe. It isn't as widespread as it was a few weeks ago. But it is absolutely positively NOT behind us. Question the writer of the piece, and the editor of the newsrag it's published in. They are the ones directly responsible for the information you receive.