City of Miami Beach Update on COVID-19, 3/25

Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Similar to the City of Miami Beach's "Safer at Home" Order detailed below, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-83 yesterday, directing the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer to issue a public health advisory to all persons over 65 years of age urging them to stay home and to take such other measures as necessary to limit their risk of exposure to COVID-19. The city strongly recommends seniors heed this advisory, along with those who have compromised immune systems, as they are at a higher risk of severe illness if they were to contract the novel coronavirus. Keeping residents safe is the primary directive in the city's fight against COVID-19. To that end, the "Safer at Home" Emergency Order, enacted yesterday, March 24 also remains in effect. This order requires all persons living in the city to remain in their homes unless engaging in one of the activities listed below: Essential retail and commercial activities, such as groceries; medical care; restaurants for pick up, take out or delivery; banking; and other activities listed in the Order; Outdoor recreational activities in areas not otherwise CLOSED; Religious activities, subject to distance separation rules; Personal support activities, to care for family members or friends; Work in support of essential activities, including work to or from essential retail and commercial businesses permitted to remain open by County Emergency Order or City Emergency Order At all times, residents and visitors shall adhere to social distancing practices, such as maintaining a distance of at least six feet away from others, washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds or using hand sanitizer, covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and not shaking hands.  Residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to limit all of their travel, except as absolutely necessary.  As a reminder, the city has implemented a curfew from midnight to 5 a.m. until further notice. To help keep you informed on the latest details of this ever evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the city has created a dedicated, city-related coronavirus webpage. We encourage you to continuously visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/coronavirus for the most up-to-date information, including a list of frequently asked questions, important resources, impacts to city services and more. Should you have additional questions, please call our city hotline at 305.604.CITY (2489), open from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. or email your questions to MBCovid@miamibeachfl.gov. Miami Beach Trolley Update In the interest of public health and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the City of Miami Beach is suspending all trolley service effective Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 7 p.m. Miami-Dade Transit Update Miami-Dade Transit's Metrobus system will continue to run FREE weekday routes across Miami-Dade County with reduced frequencies. For Miami-Dade County transit updates, please click here. COVID-19 Testing Center for Seniors at Marlins Park Miami-Dade County has opened a COVID-19 testing center on the west side of Marlins Park, 501 Marlins Way, Miami. The drive-through testing center is designated for testing of Miami-Dade County residents aged 65 or older, and testing is by appointment only. Those interested in getting tested should dial 305.499.8767 to reach the call center, where they will be pre-screened for symptoms. Staff on site can only test those with appointments. All others will be turned away. The senior citizen being tested may arrive at the drive-through location with only one other person in the car, and that person will also be tested, so as to make sure there has been no spread of the virus. The call center will open daily at 9 am and will remain open until all appointment slots for the next day have been filled. For now, daily testing is available at this site for 300 people. Beachwalk Update The beachwalk is now open daily as a shared use path for bicycles and pedestrians between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m., the beachwalk will be exclusively for pedestrians. Meals for Seniors If you are a senior citizen 65 years or older and are having problems getting meals, please call Miami-Dade County's 311 Call Center between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and you will be immediately patched in with their Emergency Operations Center to get you the meals or other services that you may need. Free Hotline for Deaf Community Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) and its Connect Direct division announced the launch of a new coronavirus hotline for the deaf community made available through its ASL Now platform. CSD's free hotline brings the deaf community important and accessible information on COVID-19 in both American Sign Language (ASL) and English. Individuals may contact the ASL Now hotline anytime Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST either by visiting CSD and clicking "ASL Now" or by dialing 833.682.7630 on any videophone (VP). The CSD's ASL Now hotline is not a medical organization, it does not provide medical advice and its agents are not medical professionals. Virtual Cultural Offerings Feeling the cabin fever? Our cultural partners are busy coming up with creative ways to share their art and culture with you! Click here to view all there is to experience virtually in Miami Beach.  Impacted Meetings/Events For a full list of impacted meetings and events, additional information on summer camps and more, please visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/coronavirus. The City of Miami Beach remains committed to ensuring the safety and public health of our residents, visitors and local businesses. As the information is changing rapidly pertaining to COVID-19, the administration is conducting daily interdepartmental calls to monitor the progression of novel coronavirus COVID-19 to ensure that we stay informed and prepared to respond if needed. We are also closely following the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health (FDOH).  Below is an ongoing summary of updates from the City of Miami Beach. Sanitary Measures We are continuing to ensure our city facilities are being thoroughly cleaned. This includes the daily effort of wiping down every touch surface such as door handles, elevator push buttons and handrails. Cleaning contractors are also providing additional training to staff to ensure proper cleaning techniques are utilized. Miami Eats Program Due to the dramatic impact on the hospitality industry during this pandemic, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) has launched MIAMI EATS - a new program to help our restaurants and their employees during this crisis. Visit www.GMCVB.com/MiamiEats for a list of restaurants open for takeout and delivery and if you're a restaurant owner, learn how to have your establishment added to the list. Essential Hotels Still Open in Miami-Dade County Although hotels are closed on Miami Beach, there are still essential hotels open on the mainland. Visit www.miamiandbeaches.com/miami-essential-lodging for a full list of open properties in Miami-Dade County. Parks & Recreational Facilities All parks, beaches, recreation centers and programs are closed until further notice. For detailed information regarding facilities and summer camps, visit our dedicated COVID-19 webpage and view the tab pertaining to Parks & Rec: Programs and Class Updates. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 305.673.7730. Baptist Health Offers FREE Online Urgent Care Visits The CDC is urging patients with symptoms or concerns to stay home and use telehealth as a first line of defense. Virtual care remains a highly effective method for evaluating illness from the comfort of one's home, while minimizing exposure to potentially contagious viruses. In order to help provide greater access to care and peace of mind, Baptist Health is offering FREE online urgent care visits using the code CARE19 for a limited time. If you or a loved one are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, Baptist Health has clinicians available online, nationwide 24/7, who can help assess your condition and determine the best course of action. Simply download the Care on Demand app here, sign up and see a caregiver from your phone, tablet or computer. Impacted City Services For a full list of impacted city services, including the Building Department, Code Compliance, Parking and more, select the Impacted City Services tab on our COVID-19 webpage. Emerging Reports of Scams There have been some reports of scams happening within Miami-Dade County. Scams will probably evolve over time, but some include: people going door-to-door selling COVID-19 test kits; texts/emails/phone calls from companies offering fast test results or asking the recipient to claim their free protective mask from the Red Cross or a similar organization; text or emails that the recipient is suspected to have come in contact with the coronavirus and requests credit card information to ship medication; offers to invest in stocks related to the illness; various organizations soliciting online donations for COVID-19 related work, etc. It's important to only seek information from trusted sources such as the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Florida Department of Health. If you have been targeted by any of these scams, you should report it to the Miami Beach Police Department's non-emergency number at 305.673.7900. If your issue is an emergency, please call 911 immediately. Parkmobile Payments Only at Curbside Parking Spaces To help minimize the use of touch surfaces to further prevent the transmittal of COVID-19, payment for curbside parking spaces is now being accepted through the Parkmobile app only. The Parkmobile app is a free download on iOS and Android. It provides a simple and convenient way to pay for parking while avoiding touch surfaces and observing social distancing. For details, click here. Business Assistance & Resources View some helpful tools and resources for businesses expected to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including information on Governor DeSantis' Florida Small Business Emergency Loan Program, on the Business Assistance & Resource tab of our COVID-19 webpage. Miami-Dade County Special Transportation Service (STS) For elderly and those with special needs, the County offers an alternative mode of transportation that offers door-to-door transportation service from the main entrance of pick-up to the main entrance of drop-off locations. Please note that you MUST be eligible for these services in order to utilize them. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be used throughout Miami-Dade County ONLY for those that are eligible. Visit the County's website and learn more about the eligibility requirements. Resident Parking Rate Registration: COVID-19 Temporary Relief We understand the challenges brought on by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused some level of inconvenience for us all. In order to alleviate some of those challenges, residents may park and will be honored in all municipal parking lots. For more detailed information related to the Miami Beach Resident Parking Rate Program, please click here. Seniors and Special Needs Community All senior centers have closed. Any seniors that are currently registered in a senior meals program will be served meals by their respective providers based on their specific plans. View additional information under the Senior/Special Needs Update tab on our COVID-19 webpage. Prevention Starts With You The CDC urges everyone to do their part to help during this emerging public health threat, this includes: Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth Avoid close contact with people who are sick Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe Take personal responsibility. If you are sick with a fever, cough or viral symptoms, please stay away from others, including the work environment and crowded areas If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or because you have a serious long-term health problem, it is extra important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease such as: Stock up on supplies Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often. Avoid crowds as much as possible  During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, you can learn more about prevention and treatment by visiting the CDC website. Stay Informed For updated information on the city's efforts, please visit: www.MiamiBeachFl.gov/coronavirus. We will also be posting updated messages via email, Nextdoor, Facebook or Twitter. ‌

How to get tested and get help

Dear Neighbor, I am writing to update you on what our federal, state, and local governments are doing to combat the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Here is the latest information on where to get tested, how our government is handling this crisis, where to go for help if your small business or employment has been affected, and how to keep yourself safe. Testing Coronavirus (COVID-19) has now spread to more than 150 countries. Over 430,000 people have been infected worldwide, including over 55,000 in the United States, over 1,400 in Florida, and over 360 in Miami-Dade County. As the number of cases in Florida has swelled, so has the demand for safe, reliable testing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have published testing guidelines to help individuals and  health care professionals make decisions about who needs to be tested. Several COVID-19 testing sites have opened in South Florida, and more are expected to be accessible in the coming weeks. My staff is maintaining a list of available testing sites and will continue to do so until this crisis subsides . All the centers are currently drive-thru only, which means you need to be in a car or truck with a working window. You should also put gas in your vehicle before you go, as wait times can be at least two hours. Each of the centers also has different criteria for testing eligibility and different hours of operation. For more information on testing, you can contact the Florida Health Department COVID-19 Hotline, which is open 24/7, at 1 (866) 779-6121, or the Miami Dade County Health Department at 305-324-2400 for guidance. Note that there may be an increased volume of callers, and it may take some time to be connected. If you have a primary care doctor, you should call their office first for instructions on being screened for testing. Government Response Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a public health emergency for our state and closed all public schools through the end of March. He has issued Executive Orders closing all bars and nightclubs for the next 30 days and limiting restaurant entry to 50 percent of capacity so seating can be staggered. He has also directed parties accessing public beaches to follow CDC guidelines and limit gatherings to no more than ten people. Effective March 23, 2020, Governor DeSantis ordered that anyone flying from New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut to Florida be placed under a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Several municipalities in Miami-Dade County have issued or are considering shelter-in place orders. I have written a letter with my colleagues in Florida's congressional delegation urging Governor DeSantis to issue a shelter-in place order for the entire state. Small Business Small businesses (two to 100 employees) located in Florida affected by COVID-19 can apply for short-term loans up to $50,000 through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. These loans are interest-free for up to one year and are designed to bridge the gap to either federal SBA loans or commercially available loans. To qualify, a business must have been established prior to March 9, 2020 and demonstrate economic impacts as a result of COVID-19. Small businesses can apply for assistance in one of two ways: ·         Apply online and upload required supporting documentation or ·         Download an application, complete it and mail it with the required supporting documentation to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) at: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, C/O Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan, 107 E. Madison Street, MSC-160, Tallahassee FL 32399-4120. The deadline to file for this emergency program is May 8, 2020. Information about the program and where to get application assistance, can be found at www.FloridaSBDC.org.  If you have questions regarding the loan program, please contact DEO toll-free at 833-832-4494 or email FloridaBusinessLoanFund@deo.myflorida.com.  If your small business has been impacted, consider applying for a low-interest disaster loan from the Small Business Administration here. To locate your local satellite office, click here. Additionally, Congress will be voting this week on a multitrillion-dollar package to stimulate the economy and provide further financial support to America's small businesses. Unemployment If you lost your job because of the coronavirus pandemic, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits. On March 24, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity issued an emergency order waiving certain requirements for unemployment insurance through May 2, 2020. Applicants no longer need to register online or show they are searching for work. The best way to find out if you are eligible is to apply. If you want help determining your eligibility or completing your application, please contact your nearest One-Stop Career Center Location. Keep in mind that the date your application is finished determines when you will begin receiving benefits. Claims always begin with the Sunday prior to the completion of the application. All claims in Florida must be completed online. The process should take approximately 30-60 minutes to complete, and must be completed within 72 hours of beginning, or you will have to restart the process. For more information on what you will need to provide to submit a claim and how claims are processed, click here. To file your claim, click here. There is more help on the way. The stimulus package Congress is voting on in the coming days includes provisions to expand the amount of unemployment benefits available to every American whose employment status has been affected by the pandemic. Staying Safe If you are experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, you should contact your doctor immediately. If you do not have a primary care physician, you should contact the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade at 305-470-5660 or 305-324-2400. Be sure to call ahead so your health care provider can take steps to reduce your risk of infecting others. Finally, I want to again stress the importance of social distancing during this crisis. Many people—particularly young people—do not exhibit symptoms of coronavirus but can still spread the virus, and this is one of the reasons community spread has increased so dramatically over the past week. I urge everyone to be responsible and limit physical interactions in order to flatten the curve and help us all stay safe. Sincerely, Donna

City of Miami Beach Update on COVID-19, 3/24

Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Keeping residents safe is the primary directive in the city's fight against COVID-19. To that end, the "Safer at Home" Emergency Order, enacted today, March 24 remains in effect. This order requires all persons living in the city to remain in their homes unless engaging in one of the activities listed below: Essential retail and commercial activities, such as groceries; medical care; restaurants for pick up, take out or delivery; banking; and other activities listed in the Order; Outdoor recreational activities in areas not otherwise CLOSED; Religious activities, subject to distance separation rules; Personal support activities, to care for family members or friends; Work in support of essential activities, including work to or from essential retail and commercial businesses permitted to remain open by County Emergency Order or City Emergency Order At all times, residents and visitors shall adhere to social distancing practices, such as maintaining a distance of at least six feet away from others, washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds or using hand sanitizer, covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and not shaking hands.  Residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to limit all of their travel, except as absolutely necessary. Persons at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick are strongly encouraged to stay in their residence to the extent possible, except as necessary to seek medical care. As a reminder, the city has implemented a curfew from midnight to 5 a.m. until further notice. To help keep you informed on the latest details of this ever evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the city has created a dedicated, city-related coronavirus webpage. We encourage you to continuously visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/coronavirus for the most up-to-date information, including a list of frequently asked questions, important resources, impacts to city services and more. Should you have additional questions, please call our city hotline at 305.604.CITY (2489), open from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. or email your questions to MBCovid@miamibeachfl.gov. Join the Virtual Special City Commission Meeting Tomorrow The Mayor & City Commission will hold a Special City Commission Meeting on Wednesday, March 25 at 10:30 a.m. to discuss relief efforts for hospitality workers. The City Commission will appear telephonically and the public may participate. Follow the steps below to join. Please call 855.756.7520 Ext.57817# to listen and participate in the meeting. Participants may also view the meeting online or live on MBTV on Atlantic Broadband Channel 660 or AT&T U-verse Channel 99 If a participant wishes to ask a question or make a comment when the Mayor opens up a topic for public comment, the participant should press 0. Once you have done so, the meeting moderator will add you to the queue and your line will be taken off mute once it's your turn to speak. Participants should provide their full name and they will have 2 minutes each for public comment. Once again, if you would simply like to listen to the meeting without participating, you can do so by tuning into MBTV channel 660 on Atlantic Broadband or watch on the city's livestream via the webpage. Recovery Resources for Non-Profits Now more than ever, we must come together as a community to help one another. Here are a few organizations you can help. The Miami Foundation Community Recovery Fund is focusing on recovery for non-profits, specifically: support for organizations that lost crucial revenue from cancelled or low-turnout events and performances and working capital for organizations at risk of being displaced and unable to serve their constituents.  United Way of Miami-Dade, in partnership with The Miami Foundation, Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald, Health Foundation of South Florida and others, has launched the Miami Pandemic Response Fund Feeding South Florida launches a COVID-19 Response Fund Center for Disaster Philanthropy launches fund to support nonprofits working with vulnerable populations The One Fair Wage's emergency fund supports restaurant workers, tipped servers and delivery drivers Americans for the Arts COVID-19 resources and responses for artists and arts organizations. This effort is also closely coordinated with the National Endowment of the Arts Municipal Parking Lot and Garage Update Now that all hotels are closing and only essential businesses, as defined in the City Manager's Emergency Declaration, are permitted to operate, the city is lifting the current restrictions for access to certain municipal parking lots and garages effective today, March 24 at 12 p.m. This serves to provide added parking opportunities for patrons of essential businesses. As a reminder, Parkmobile remains as the only payment option in order to reduce touch surfaces. Please note that certain municipal lots and garages will remain with the current access restrictions (Miami Beach residents and access card holders only) in order to discourage access to our recreational (beaches and parks) and entertainment corridors. Access restrictions are lifted at the following municipal parking lots and garages within these boundaries: South Beach: West of Euclid Avenue between 5 Street and 17 Street, with the exception of all municipal lots and garages between 16 Street and 17 Street and between Drexel Avenue and Alton Road. Middle Beach: All municipal parking lots west of Pine Tree Drive between 23 Street and 42 Street, including Municipal Parking Garage No. 6, located at 42 Street and Sheridan Avenue. North Beach: All municipal parking lots west of Harding Avenue/Abbott Avenue between 69 Street and 87 Terrace. Miami Beach residents are encouraged to sign up through the temporary expedited resident parking registration by clicking here. Parks & Rec Summer Camp Extension The Parks and Recreation Department has extended all registration for Summer and Specialty Camp and will be conducted FULLY ONLINE. In order to ensure that you are ready to register online, registration dates will once again be changed to the following: Summer Camp Registration Summer Camp Registration for Miami Beach Residents – April 20, 8:30 AM Summer Camp Registration for Non-Residents – May 18, 8:30 AM Specialty Camp Registration Specialty Camp Registration for Miami Beach Residents – May 4, 8:30 AM Specialty Camp Registration for Non-Residents – May 18, 8:30 AM Please take this time to login to your account, make sure your information and your child's information is up to date and your financial aid information is updated, if applicable. Below you will find the most frequently asked questions about registration and this recent implementation. You can also email any questions to cmbsummer2020@miamibeachfl.gov. We appreciate your understanding on this matter and are looking forward to a fun-filled summer. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 305.673.7730. Virtual Cultural Offerings Feeling the cabin fever? Our cultural partners are busy coming up with creative ways to share their art and culture with you! Click here to view all there is to experience virtually in Miami Beach.  Impacted Meetings/Events For a full list of impacted meetings and events, additional information on summer camps and more, please visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/coronavirus. The City of Miami Beach remains committed to ensuring the safety and public health of our residents, visitors and local businesses. As the information is changing rapidly pertaining to COVID-19, the administration is conducting daily interdepartmental calls to monitor the progression of novel coronavirus COVID-19 to ensure that we stay informed and prepared to respond if needed. We are also closely following the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health (FDOH).  Below is an ongoing summary of updates from the City of Miami Beach. Sanitary Measures We are continuing to ensure our spaces, including city facilities and beachfront restrooms are being thoroughly cleaned. This includes the daily effort of wiping down every touch surface such as door handles, elevator push buttons, handrails and recreation equipment. Cleaning contractors are also providing additional training to staff to ensure proper cleaning techniques are utilized. Miami Beach Trolley In addition to standard daily cleaning practices, the City of Miami Beach and its trolley operator, Limousines of South Florida (LSF), have partnered in increasing the frequency of cleaning to help protect passengers from the spread of coronavirus. In particular, "high touch" areas, including buttons, handholds, pull cords, and rails are being cleaned more frequently. Moreover, every Miami Beach trolley vehicle is being deep-cleaned after every other route. Based on availability, trolleys may be equipped with hand sanitizing gel or wipes. When there is an unsanitary condition reported, it is standard practice for LSF to take the vehicle out of service immediately for cleaning and disinfecting. Seniors are encouraged to limit their trolley usage to adhere to the CDC's recommendations to practice social distancing. Miami Beach Trolleys are operating from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday through Sunday with a decreased service frequency. Passengers should expect 30 minute wait times. Additionally, the 11 Street Loop is eliminated until further notice. To track the trolley in real-time, download the free Miami Beach e-Gov app. PLEASE NOTE: Our most vulnerable groups, including seniors over 70, immune-comprised people and those with underlying illnesses should NOT take public transportation unless urgent and absolutely necessary. Miami Eats Program Due to the dramatic impact on the hospitality industry during this pandemic, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) has launched MIAMI EATS - a new program to help our restaurants and their employees during this crisis. Visit www.GMCVB.com/MiamiEats for a list of restaurants open for takeout and delivery and if you're a restaurant owner, learn how to have your establishment added to the list. Essential Hotels Still Open in Miami-Dade County Although hotels are closed on Miami Beach, there are still essential hotels open on the mainland. Visit www.miamiandbeaches.com/miami-essential-lodging for a full list of open properties in Miami-Dade County. Miami-Dade Transit Update Miami-Dade Transit's Metrobus system will continue to run weekday routes across Miami-Dade County with reduced frequencies. The following Miami Beach routes may experience reduced frequency on weekdays: 79, 103, 110, 112, 113, 119, 120 and 150. Metrobus weekend services will remain operating as published and will be monitored closely. Customers are encouraged to use contactless, online and mobile payment methods to ride transit and the County's online services and mobile application (Go Miami-Dade Transit) to stay connected. For Miami-Dade County transit updates, please click here. Parks & Recreational Facilities All parks, beaches, recreation centers and programs are closed until further notice. For detailed information regarding facilities and summer camps, visit our dedicated COVID-19 webpage and view the tab pertaining to Parks & Rec: Programs and Class Updates. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 305.673.7730. Baptist Health Offers FREE Online Urgent Care Visits The CDC is urging patients with symptoms or concerns to stay home and use telehealth as a first line of defense. Virtual care remains a highly effective method for evaluating illness from the comfort of one's home, while minimizing exposure to potentially contagious viruses. In order to help provide greater access to care and peace of mind, Baptist Health is offering FREE online urgent care visits using the code CARE19 for a limited time. If you or a loved one are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, Baptist Health has clinicians available online, nationwide 24/7, who can help assess your condition and determine the best course of action. Simply download the Care on Demand app here, sign up and see a caregiver from your phone, tablet or computer. Impacted City Services For a full list of impacted city services, including the Building Department, Code Compliance and more, select the Impacted City Services tab on our COVID-19 webpage. Emerging Reports of Scams There have been some reports of scams happening within Miami-Dade County. Scams will probably evolve over time, but some include: people going door-to-door selling COVID-19 test kits; texts/emails/phone calls from companies offering fast test results or asking the recipient to claim their free protective mask from the Red Cross or a similar organization; text or emails that the recipient is suspected to have come in contact with the coronavirus and requests credit card information to ship medication; offers to invest in stocks related to the illness; various organizations soliciting online donations for COVID-19 related work, etc. It's important to only seek information from trusted sources such as the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Florida Department of Health. If you have been targeted by any of these scams, you should report it to the Miami Beach Police Department's non-emergency number at 305.673.7900. If your issue is an emergency, please call 911 immediately. Parkmobile Payments Only at Curbside Parking Spaces To help minimize the use of touch surfaces to further prevent the transmittal of COVID-19, payment for curbside parking spaces is now being accepted through the Parkmobile app only. The Parkmobile app is a free download on iOS and Android. It provides a simple and convenient way to pay for parking while avoiding touch surfaces and observing social distancing. For details, click here. Business Assistance & Resources View some helpful tools and resources for businesses expected to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including information on Governor DeSantis' Florida Small Business Emergency Loan Program, on the Business Assistance & Resource tab of our COVID-19 webpage. Miami-Dade County Special Transportation Service (STS) For elderly and those with special needs, the County offers an alternative mode of transportation that offers door-to-door transportation service from the main entrance of pick-up to the main entrance of drop-off locations. Please note that you MUST be eligible for these services in order to utilize them. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be used throughout Miami-Dade County ONLY for those that are eligible. Visit the County's website and learn more about the eligibility requirements. Resident Parking Rate Registration: COVID-19 Temporary Relief We understand the challenges brought on by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused some level of inconvenience for us all. In order to alleviate some of those challenges, residents may park and will be honored in all municipal parking lots. For more detailed information related to the Miami Beach Resident Parking Rate Program, please click here. Seniors and Special Needs Community All senior centers are closed effective Monday, March 16. Any seniors that are currently registered in a senior meals program will be served meals by their respective providers based on their specific plans. View additional information under the Senior/Special Needs Update tab on our COVID-19 webpage. Prevention Starts With You The CDC urges everyone to do their part to help during this emerging public health threat, this includes: Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth Avoid close contact with people who are sick Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe Take personal responsibility. If you are sick with a fever, cough or viral symptoms, please stay away from others, including the work environment and crowded areas If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or because you have a serious long-term health problem, it is extra important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease such as: Stock up on supplies Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often. Avoid crowds as much as possible  During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, you can learn more about prevention and treatment by visiting the CDC website. Stay Informed For updated information on the city's efforts, please visit: www.MiamiBeachFl.gov/coronavirus. We will also be posting updated messages via email, Nextdoor, Facebook or Twitter. ‌

what to do

There are probably only two ways to fight this:

1- Test EVERYONE, then mandate the ones with the infection to quarantine, then TEST them again in 3 weeks. If still positive, mandate them to quarantine for another 3 weeks.

2- Close down everything for 6 weeks, nobody goes out. NOBODY.

We aren't doing either.

Good luck world.

Ordinanza COVID 19 Piemonte

COMUNICATO STAMPA

Torino, 21 marzo 2020

CORONAVIRUS: IN PIEMONTE ULTERIORE STRETTA

 SULLE MISURE DI CONTENIMENTO
Il presidente Cirio: “Se non lo facciamo adesso rischiamo che sia inutile”
Stretta sui mercati e chiusi uffici pubblici e studi professionali

Stop agli spostamenti verso le seconde case

            Una ulteriore stretta sulle misure necessarie a contrastare in modo decisivo il Coronavirus è stata decisa oggi dalla Regione Piemonte, che nel pomeriggio per volere del presidente Alberto Cirio ha riunito in videoconferenza tutti i sindaci dei Comuni capoluogo, i presidenti delle Province e i rappresentanti di Anci, Anpci, Upi, Uncem e Ali (Lagautonomie) al fine di valutare e condividere i contenuti della nuova ordinanza.

            Il documento è stato elaborato lavorando tutta la giornata in sinergia anche con la Regione Lombardia, al fine di prevedere misure il più possibile omogenee vista la contiguità territoriale.
            La nuova ordinanza sarà operativa da domani e verrà firmata in serata dal vicepresidente della Regione Piemonte, Fabio Carosso.

            «Chiudiamo tutto quello che è possibile chiudere in base ai poteri di cui dispongono le Regioni - spiega il presidente della Regione Piemonte Alberto Cirio - Questa è la più grande emergenza affrontata dal Dopoguerra ad oggi. Sappiamo che stiamo chiedendo un grande sforzo a ogni cittadino, ma vi prego di comprendere che è la scelta giusta. La nostra libertà è un bene, ma la nostra vita lo è di più. Vi prego, proteggetela restando a casa».

            La nuova ordinanza avrà efficacia in Piemonte fino al 3 aprile 2020. Stretta sui mercati, che saranno possibili solo dove i sindaci potranno garantire il contingentamento degli accessi e il non assembramento, anche grazie all’utilizzo di transenne e sempre con il presidio costante dei vigili urbani. Inoltre, l’accesso agli esercizi commerciali sarà limitato ad un solo componente del nucleo familiare, salvo comprovati motivi di assistenza ad altre persone. Chiusi anche gli uffici pubblici e gli studi professionali, fatta salva l’erogazione dei servizi essenziali ed indifferibili (oltre alla possibilità di attuare lo smart working). Stop anche gli spostamenti verso le seconde case. 

            Vietata, inoltre, la sosta e l’assembramento davanti ai distributori automatici “h24” che distribuiscono bevande e alimenti confezionati. Bloccate anche le slot machine e disattivati monitor e televisori da parte degli esercenti. Restano aperte le edicole, le farmacie, le parafarmacie e i tabaccai (dove dovrà essere in ogni caso garantita la distanza di sicurezza interpersonale di un metro). Ove possibile, dovrà effettuarsi la rilevazione sistematica della temperatura corporea presso i supermercati, le farmacie e i luoghi di lavoro. Disposto il fermo dell’attività nei cantieri, ad eccezione di quelli di interesse strategico. Vietato l’assembramento di più di due persone nei luoghi pubblici.

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