Even with the number of recorded COVID-19 cases escalating at a rate unseen in Florida, we see less people wearing masks over time instead of more. That’s why it’s time local governments in this area put a masking requirement in place for those venturing into indoor, public spaces.

Let me make clear I’m not trying to play the role of extremist. I’m not advocating for a return to lockdowns. Indeed to me, the acceptance this pandemic will be with us for many months requires acknowledging business must operate and society must carve a oath forward that accommodates conditions instead of hiding from them. If a hurricane battered this area for a solid year, we’d find a way to work in the rain when it became clear the storm was not just passing through. In this case that means finding a way to venture into public while limiting transmission.

Unfortunately, the clouds continue to gather. Manatee County on Thursday reported 166 positive tests for coronavirus. Sarasota County tallied another 105 diagnoses the same day. Those results were part of a stunning 8,933 recorded cases in Florida on a single day. Gov. Ron DeSantis won’t issue a statewide mask requirement because many counties still report few cases. That’s fine, but expects local officials to respond to conditions in their own communities.

In a world where kneejerk reaction political demands transmit over social media in live time, elected leaders feel understandably reluctant to demand Americans do anything these days. That’s resulted in a public who rarely hears the call of sacrifice, even for so minor an inconvenience as a cloth face covering. Every hospital leader in the region politely asked already for the public to wear masks. But few governments in this area mandate it. Holmes Beach officials passed a requirement this week, but Manatee County Commissioners punted on the issue. Sarasota city commissioners will toy with the matter on Monday.

It’s worth acknowledging government’s contribution to public confusion on the manner— at least at the federal level. The Centers for Disease Control initially discouraged mask use, partly because with a low percentage of the population infected it made little difference at first, but mostly because of anxieties there weren’t enough medical-grade masks to go around should hospitals become overwhelmed.

At this point, countless big box stores, mall kiosks and local boutiques sell masks. And for all the dread from seeing statewide numbers skyrocket, the virus has yet to overwhelm hospitals in Florida.

Fortunately, fewer people now die from COVID-19 than did in early weeks and months. But while hope existed weeks ago Florida may be on the back end of the storm, the last week dashed that. It seems if governments choose not to issue mask orders now, they may soon need to in the future.

If you’ll allow one moment of pettiness, let me share a personal reason I favor a requirement. When I take my six-year-old into public, he doesn’t want to wear a mask, but will when he sees most people around doing so. If it’s a rule other people follow, he will as well. If there’s only a few masking at Publix, he fights me every minute at the store.

I can feel the eye rolls now. Should we have to wear masks because this guy’s kid won’t listen? It’s true. As a father, I shouldn’t relent to temper tantrums, and it’s my responsibility to make him behave in his own interest and of those around.

Officials should keep that in mind too during public input periods at meetings and when venturing online. Stubborn outbursts from grown men shouldn’t dictate public policy either.

Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor for SRQ MEDIA.

Photo of Nolan and Jacob Ogles

Our state and our community continue to adjust to the “new normal” in this time of coronavirus. Even during this unprecedented event, the business of your county government goes on.

Our staff at Sarasota County government has excelled at providing world-class service while faced with the challenges, and uncertainty, of those early days of COVID-19: water still flowed, permits were still processed, roads were still paved and our emergency services personnel still responded to calls, just to cite a few examples.

We are now shifting our operations back to the levels before we reduced access to county services and facilities. While not all of our services are yet available to the public, our parks amenities are open, our libraries have patrons, and our athletic fields are again hosting kids who need fresh air after being indoors for so long.

As we proceed with our re-entry plans, I want to remind the community about the importance of working together to prevent the spread of this virus. I encourage you to follow the guidelines from the Florida Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control, just as I and our 2,300 county employees do:

• Take advice from health officials seriously. Wear a cloth face mask in public when you cannot socially distance, wash your hands thoroughly and continue to practice social distancing.
• Be especially careful around those over the age of 65 and those with underlying health conditions. They are the most at-risk in our community.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Keep your social circles small to limit your potential exposures.
• Follow all health and safety guidelines at retail and food establishments.
• Remember to stay informed, ask questions and be kind to each other.

As many local governments discovered when first confronted with this virus, there simply wasn’t a road map to tell us how to safely reach our destination. Each day has presented new challenges, and our staff continually rises to meet those challenges head-on with the same goal in mind: providing world-class service in a safe and responsible manner.

Sarasota County will continue to look to our governor, federal, state, and local health officials, and the leadership of our county commission, to guide us. We will work hard to continue providing the services you have come to expect, and to keep you informed about county decisions and information. At this point, no one knows what the future holds or is quite sure how long this “new normal” will last.

As we continue to navigate the demands of this virus, one thing is certain: we cannot return to the “old normal” without the support of the entire community. We will continue to do our part and we ask that you each do the same by listening to health officials, practicing social distancing and good hygiene, and wearing a mask when you cannot socially distance from other citizens.

Common sense is paramount, of course. But so is the compassion for, and responsibility to, your fellow citizens. If we work together, our community will be stronger for it.

Jonathan Lewis is Sarasota County Administrator. 

As childcare centers re-open across Sarasota County, the experience will look a lot different for parents, teachers and children. A taskforce of early learning professionals came together to set unified COVID-19 guidelines to safely operate local centers and support families making childcare decisions. Facilitated by the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County and Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, a collaborative effort was made to compile recommendations from the CDC, Department of Health, and lessons learned in the field to establish clear operating protocols for early learning facilities amid COVID-19. Healthcare professionals and disease specialists at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System and Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital were consulted on the project.

“Our childcare providers have been in a state of flux trying to interpret high level recommendations and create new operating protocols,” says Teri A Hansen, Barancik Foundation President and CEO. “This collaboration to adopt local best practices affirms the leadership and professionalism of our early childhood educators.”

The taskforce established minimum recommendations, including guidance on daily health screenings, facility sanitization and preventative measures to reduce the spread of germs. The goal is to offer staff and parents practical, affordable, and enforceable guidelines. The Early Learning Coalition will distribute the guidelines broadly to their network of more than 170 childcare centers. Providers are being asked to adopt the recommendations and communicate the standards to the families in their care. “Parents have to know they are making the right decision when they drop off their child,” says Janet Kahn, Executive Director of Early Learning Coalition. “We know quality childcare is critical to our region’s economic recovery and these guidelines are designed to protect everyone as we return to work and school.”


 

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Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, step right up and get your free masks. The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, The Circus Arts Conservatory, and the City of Sarasota will be providing free masks in downtown Sarasota and on St. Armand’s Circle on Saturday, June 27th on Main Street from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm and St. Armand’s Circle: 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm. Be dazzled as jugglers and stilt-walkers from The Circus Arts Conservatory share their talents with the community and show your gratitude by wearing your mask to protect this community that we love. 

The Giving Challenge faced its own challenge this year - falling right in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Spoiler alert: The community proved unphased and unstoppable. 

Click here to read the full article in SRQ's Summer 2020 issue.

DOH Sarasota is scheduled to host a by appointment COVID-19 drive-thru testing opportunity at Heron Creek Middle School Wednesday, July 1st. DOH Sarasota is prioritizing COVID-19 testing for anyone who is currently experiencing symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell) or who works in a health care setting, however, additional slots are available for those without current symptoms seeking a test.

DOH Sarasota will have 100 COVID-19 tests available for this one-day, four-hour testing opportunity, appointments are required as demand for testing is high. To date, DOH Sarasota has tested more than 3100 community members for COVID-19 during our community-based testing events. Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. While these are primarily drive-thru sites, DOH Sarasota can accommodate walk-ups, and people on bicycles.  

To be evaluated and to make an appointment please call 941-861-2883.

Click here for more information.