I have been setting aside items of interest to write about to you. What I am finding is that almost immediately, the details that were true one day have changed by the next. Herein, I will try to be as up-to-date as I can be.
(1) Transit hours are being aligned based on the public need as the number of riders continues to drop. Beginning Saturday, April 4, Miami-Dade Transit, Metrorail and Metromover will run 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Metrorail riders in need of essential travel after 10 p.m. can use
(2) April 4, 2020: EMERGENCY ORDER 19-20 from the Miami-Dade County Office of the Mayor
Effective immediately: All persons outside their homes are encouraged to wear a cloth facial covering consistent with the current CDC guidelines, including cloth masks. Persons choosing to use masks are encouraged to review and comply with the CDC and Florida Department of Health guidelines on personal protective equipment. Persons should not utilize N95 rated masks, as those are critical supplies for health care workers, police, fire, emergency management, or other persons engaged in life/safety activities.
(3) There are a many ways to make your own cloth facial covering. At survivopedia.com/covid-19-mask/ there are a number of suggestions. It turns out that Youtube has demonstrations on how to make masks, from ones requiring sewing to ones that need none. The one I like is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGSY3mEMhoE :
(4) Governor DeSantis waived the work search and work registration requirements for individuals requesting Reemployment Assistance benefits. Individuals filing an application in CONNECT, the online Reemployment Assistance application, for benefits from March 15, 2020 until May 2, 2020, will not be required to complete the work registration in Employ Florida. For additional questions about Reemployment Assistance, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions
(5) Twenty-six libraries will be open on April 8 for people to pick up Reemployment Assistance applications. In an effort to help Miami-Dade County residents applying for state unemployment benefits, especially those who do not have computers at home, the Miami-Dade Public Library System (MDPLS) will be providing printed copies of Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Reemployment Assistance Applications at 26 library locations beginning Wednesday, April 8.
Unemployment applications in English, Spanish and Creole and envelopes to return them in will be available for pickup at tables outside the library entrances from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Residents can take the application home to fill out and then return it in the sealed envelope by dropping it off in the library location’s book drop or at any CareerSource South Florida location. Applications will be picked up from the book drops every day and delivered to CareerSource South Florida where trained staff will send them securely overnight to DEO in Tallahasseefor processing. Residents can also download and print a copy of the application from DEO's website and return it to any participating library’s book drop. South Miami Library will be open For a complete listing click on: M-DPLS Reemployment Applications
(6) For businesses there are two important parts of the CARES Act: PPP (Payroll Protection Program) and Economic Injury Disaster loans. I have called several banks; both First National Bank of South Miami and Sun Trust are taking applications. However, the first step is to apply on line.
(7) Data about the number of people tested, the test results, and the number of deaths, can be had at DOH's Florida’s COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard:
https://fdoh.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/8d0de33f260d444c852a615dc7837c86 It is an interesting dashboard to move around in; there are statistics about counties and zip codes. It is updated twice a day ~ 11:30 am and 6:30 pm.
(8) Javier Suarez wrote an article that was published in Miami's Community Newspapers: Is Miami the Next COVID-19 “Hotspot”? Not only is it an interesting argument against Miami becoming the next hotspot, but there is an equally complex response to his thesis. Click here to read both.
(9) I hope you all know that there is no Egg Hunt tomorrow. It was cancelled some time ago.
(10) Farm Share will be distributing food at Marshall Williamson Park on Saturday, April 18, from 10 am - 2 pm.
(11) South Miami's City Manager wrote a report on our city's financial condition. In contrast to Miami Beach, South Miami is in good financial shape for the time being. One estimate is that the City could keep going at this rate for 26 months. This is due in large part to the past several administrations making sure to budget and amass emergency funds. Click here to read his report.
(12) Posted on the City of South Miami web site is a list of restaurants that are open for take out or delivery. Click here or https://www.southmiamifl.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=251.
Thank you for letting me know if you find that details have changed or need to be added. I end by wishing you all good health. Take care of yourselves and all those around you. No one knows better than I the value of team work. And, as far as my opinion goes, South Miami is the best team there is. Just remember: Better six feet apart than six feet under.
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