Page 8 - Boca Club News - July '20

Page 8, Boca Club News
From the Desk of Palm Beach County

Commissioner Robert S. Weinroth:

Update on County Directives to Combat the Coronavirus.

Robert Weinroth, a former member executive orders is likely to become a grim reality before COVID-19 Updates: The Board of County
of the Boca Raton City Council, was the end of the year. Commissioners unanimously approved mandating facial
elected as a Palm Beach County But evidence of the rebound from the pandemic is coverings on June 23rd. The Executive Order requires masks
Commissioner to replace Steven already apparent. Businesses are beginning to reopen, or facial coverings to be worn in public places throughout
Abrams, who retired due to term albeit under a new set of guidelines being implemented to Palm Beach County. Exempted are persons age 2 and under
limits requirements. avoid creating a new surge of infections impacting people and individuals with respiratory conditions that preclude the
Over the past few months, we’ve vulnerable to the complications associated with the virus. use of a mask. The order applies inside all buildings and
come to realize how our lives can be The question is, how the pandemic will change our lives. outdoors when social distancing is not possible.
impacted by what occurs halfway Some changes (wearing face coverings and eschewing As a reminder, the county is currently under the governor’s
around the world. The little-known city of Wuhan, China handshakes and hugs) will likely disappear. Executive Order of Full Phase 1 openings, which includes:
(capital city of Hubei Province), will be forever linked with Other changes (Plexiglas dividers, heightened attention • Restaurants and food establishments at 50% with
the misery caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. to the need to sanitize common surfaces and “social proper social distancing and outdoor seating encouraged;
With our daily routines shattered by multiple orders to distancing”) are likely to remain a part of our environment- • Retail at 50%;
self-isolate and suspend non-essential activities, we have -at least until a large portion of ou r residents develop “herd • Museums and libraries at 50%;
adjusted to what can only be termed the “new normal” as we immunity” (after recuperating from the disease) or receive • Gyms and Fitness Centers at 50% and self-sanitize
slowly resume activities while incorporating new safeguards a vaccination, once developed. machines and surfaces after use.
to protect our health. The disruption COVID-19 has caused to our lives is • Elective surgeries may continue if a facility has
The real question is, what impacts this episode will have likely to have long-term consequences. Distance learning, adequate PPW, hospital bed surge capacity and works with
on our lives. virtual meetings and working remotely have been embraced the local community to prevent and/or contain outbreaks in
Near term, the economic disruptions caused by putting for their efficiency. long-term care facilities.
the economy on pause will continue to reverberate as people Schools and universities will be challenged to develop a • Barber shops, hair and nail salons may operate while
who had been living on the edge (paying their bills but hybrid of distance learning to use facilities more effectively, adhering to safety protocols effective May 11th.
lacking a financial cushion to protect themselves from an while reintroducing personal contact between student and • Long-term Care Facilities: visitation is prohibited and
unforeseen emergency) have been forced to seek a lifeline instructor. hospitals required to test all individuals before discharge to
to maintain basic necessities of food and shelter. Employers and employees, having recognized the long-term care facilities. Long-term care facilities required to
Notwithstanding the infusion of trillions of dollars benefits (and shortfalls) of allowing employees greater transfer positive residents if not equipped for appropriate care.
into the economy by the federal government to forestall freedom to work remotely, are more apt to embrace the • Amusement Parks may submit re-opening plan to the
economic gridlock, employment, income and spending continuation of this practice as it reduces the stress of state.
peaked in February and then went into freefall as the commuting while prompting greater efficiencies in the On June 3rd, the county requested the governor include
pandemic shut down businesses across the country, marking allocation of business resources (e.g., space, equipment Palm Beach County in the Phase 2 limited openings. As
the start of the first U.S. recession after a record-breaking and real estate). of this writing, the governor has not approved this request
eleven years of economic growth. People will be less willing to accept crowded cityscapes due to the recent spike in positive cases.
Our social services network has been pressed to the in the future. Being jammed into a bus or train is going For additional information on all executive orders and
breaking point. Hospitals were unprepared for the onslaught to be a disquieting prospect for many after the rampant more, visit http://discover.pbcgov.org/coronavirus/Pages/
of patients (lacking adequate personal protection equipment, transmission of the virus linked to those modes of Orders.aspx.
respirators, staff and rooms). The state unemployment transpiration. COVID-19 Compliance Hotline. The county recently
compensation program was ill equipped to deal with Attendance at venues with a large number of people (e.g., announced the formation of the COVID Education
the unprecedented influx of new claims, even with the theatres, stadiums, amusement parks and convention halls) Compliance Team (CECT), which will work to educate
supplemental funding provided by the federal government. will need to be reengineered to address people’s desire for and bring businesses into compliance with state and local
Food insecurity, already an issue within our county, has greater social distancing. enforcement orders required by the governor.
become more critical. Were it not for the helping hands of Shopping is also an activity that was already seeing a For more information or to report a complaint,
our non-profit agencies, the urgent needs of our residents migration from in-store to online purchases. The pandemic please call 561-24COVID (561) 242-6843 or email:
could not be answered. has only accelerated this move. The recent announced covidcompliance@pbcgov.org
A future tsunami of mortgage foreclosures and evictions demise of several national retailers will likely be but For more information on COVID-19 related matters
for tenants who have been protected by the Governor’s the beginning of a continuing line of store closings and and programs such as food distribution centers, libraries
consolidations. and rent/utility assistance, please visit http://discover.
The disruptive power of the experience we have endured pbcgov.org/coronavirus/Pages/Orders.aspx and sign up
during the current pandemic will likely have far greater for my newsletter blasts at http://discover.pbcgov.org/
long-term impacts on our society. coronavirus/Pages/Orders.aspx.