The novel coronavirus will keep Florida in a state of emergency for at least another two months.
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order April 27 to extend Florida’s state of emergency through June 26, only hours before it was set to expire.
The state of emergency allows the state and its municipalities to access federal emergency funds and enact emergency measures to protect its citizens. It must be renewed by the governor every 60 days.
Florida’s state of emergency in response to the pandemic began in March 2020 and extended since.
However, a section of the order indicates this could be the state of emergency’s last extension.
The order states, in part, “the state should prepare to resume non-emergency operations.”
Without the state of emergency, mask mandates in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach would be obsolete.
The two cities have mandates that face masks be worn inside public accommodations, with some exceptions for age, health conditions and to consume food and beverages. Bradenton Beach has no mandate for face masks.
Likewise, Manatee County has no mandate.
The governor’s order also prohibits state entities from issuing or requiring “vaccine passports” as long as the state of emergency is in effect.
CDC, Florida clash on mask guidance
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is easing its stance on mask use as more people become vaccinated.
The CDC released new guidance April 27 detailing that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask outdoors in small gatherings or while walking, biking or running.
Since early in the pandemic, the CDC has advised people to wear masks outdoors if they are within 6 feet of each other.
Unvaccinated people should wear masks at outdoor gatherings with other unvaccinated people, according to the CDC.
The CDC still recommends people wear masks indoors to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, as well as in crowded outdoor venues like sports stadiums or concerts.
However, Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees issued contradictory guidance April 29, canceling four COVID-19 health advisories and stating that fully vaccinated people should no longer be advised to wear masks or avoid crowds.
The canceled health advisories included guidance to protect vulnerable populations, restrict private gatherings and wear face masks when people can’t maintain social distancing.
“Due to COVID-18 wide-spread vaccine availability, fully vaccinated individuals should no longer be advised to wear face coverings or avoid social and recreational gatherings except in limited circumstances,” the statement reads.
Rivkees also advised government offices to resume conducting in-person operations and issued a public health advisory expanding vaccine access to non-Florida residents.
HB discusses collaboration on recovery act spending
Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth April 27 addressed potential uses for the $1.81 million the city is slated to receive from the U.S. American Recovery Plan Act.
The act, which passed both houses of Congress and was signed into law in March, will provide a total of $3.09 million to the island cities.
Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach are set to receive $740,000 and $540,000, respectively.
Titsworth said Manatee County economic development official Karen Stewart recommended partnering with the other cities to hire a consultant who could better identify the needs of each municipality and those of the county.
“They are hiring a consultant and they are wondering if we would partner with them,” she said. “She’s sending us the information.”
Titsworth said she would present a proposal to city commissioners regarding the funds when Stewart sends more information on the county’s plans to collaborate.
Coronavirus stats
The state has been documenting coronavirus statistics since March 2020.
In Florida, there have been:
- 2,233,518 positive cases as of April 30.
- 35,161 deaths as of April 30.
The latest numbers for Manatee County:
- 38,128 positive cases as of April 30, which is an increase of 575 from the week prior.
- 1,534 hospitalizations as of April 30, an increase of 15 from a week prior.
- 661 deaths as of April 30, an increase of 6 from a week prior.
On the island, there have been:
- 69 cases in Anna Maria as of April 30, with no increase from the week prior.
- 108 cases in Bradenton Beach as of April 30, and no increase from the week prior.
- 206 cases in Holmes Beach as of April 30. There also has been no increase from the week prior.