Bored at home II - here is a second video for use with your stationary bike (or just viewing) - your 'virtual' graveling bike ride through South Miami-Dade

The second video of this exciting series! All intended to help you stay safe at home and fend off cabin fever. There is no need to miss out or take risks outside. Here is an alternative to all those paid subscription online services. This video is offered free and without commercials.

In this age of virtual experiences, online content and living vicariously, I offer this 12 minute video clip from a CycleHolics gravel ride that took place from Black Point Park, south to Biscayne National Park Visitor’s Center. This was a great ride. I recommend this route where we were treated to a herd (is it a herd?) of Manatees, native everglades birds, a crocodile, and even a shark, were seen on the ride.

All you need to do is set this video to view from your tablet or TV in front of your stationary bike and voila!

May is still Bike Month, but Bike to Work Week is rescheduled until September 21 - 27, 2020

The League of American Bicyclists  has announced that May remains Bike Month, but that Bike to Work Day is rescheduled to September 2020:

“…given the extraordinary and constantly evolving impact of the pandemic on everyday life, the League is postponing our promotion of Bike to Work Week until September 21-27, 2020, with Bike to Work Day coinciding with Car Free Day on September 22, 2020. As the National Bike Challenge, a self-motivated pursuit of biking for transportation and recreation, kicks off in May and concludes in September, the League looks forward to continuing to encourage and educate people about the joys and benefits of biking throughout the Challenge timeframe.”

Many in Palmetto Bay and surrounding communities have noticed that many people, families, are rediscovering the joy of getting outside on a bike. It allows fresh air and exercise.

It also allows outdoor activities that can be shared – in a manner consistent with Social Distancing. If you are engaging, do it in a safe manner consistent with the emergency orders and social distancing. We must stop the spread, flatten the curve.

The critical issue is social distancing.  Being “outside” is not the issue.  I take the advice and example of Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is the longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Fauci still finds time to hit the pavement for running workouts.

“I think the benefit for me is as a stress-reliever,” Fauci said in a 2016 interview. “I have a pretty high-stress job, so getting outside during the day and hearing the birds and smelling the grass is a very pleasing thing for me.”

Source: Dr. Anthony Fauci Is an Avid Runner, Even When He Works 19-Hour Days, The NIAID head and Coronavirus Task Force member is still reportedly logging 3.5 mile runs., Men's Health, by Lindsay Berra, March 25, 2020.

Personally: I have no doubts that this pandemic will create profound changes in our way of life.

For that reason, National Bike Month will be different for 2020 – as offered by The League of American Bicyclists ; “Let’s use National Bike Month to celebrate what joy we have, the physical and mental health biking brings us, and the humble bicycle that unites us all, even as we must stay apart and at home.”

FLORIDA HEALTH report for April 1 – Coronavirus update – Palmetto Bay at 8, Pinecrest 3 and Cutler Bay 2. Link provided to full report.

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of April 1. Data in this report are provisional and subject to change. An area is only listed if there is a confirmed report of the COVID-19 virus for that specific municipality.

The short update for the South Miami-Dade area – Palmetto Bay is presently at 8, Pinecrest is now at 3. Cutler Bay remains at 2.

The increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

2,416      Miami-Dade County (Countywide) 

46            Coral Gables, Dade

   2           Cutler Bay

 32           Doral, Dade

   2           Florida City

63            Homestead, Dade

22            Key Biscayne, Dade

  8            Palmetto Bay, Dade

  3            Pinecrest, Dade

27           South Miami, Dade

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 4/1/2020 (151 pages - municipalities listed can be found beginning page 5 - 9)

Bored at home - here is a video for use with your stationary bike (or just viewing) - your 'virtual' bike ride throughout Palmetto Bay

Here is to helping you stay safe at home. There is no need to miss out or take risks outside. Here is an alternative to all those paid subscription online services. This video is offered free and without commercials.

In this age of virtual experiences, online content and living vicariously, I offer this video of an unidentified rider who took and provided 12 minutes of video of a bike ride through some scenic portions of Palmetto Bay. This video appears to be from August 2015.

All you need to do is set this video to view from your tablet or TV in front of your stationary bike and voila! 




Have fun. It's almost like the real thing. Stay safe.

I will post additional videos, so you don't tire of this same route. The next in the series will include gravel rides in an attempt to satisfy more than simply the road riders.

Have fun, stay safe,

Eugene Flinn

FLORIDA HEALTH report – Coronavirus update for Tues, 3/31/2020 – Palmetto Bay at 7, Cutler Bay 2, Pinecrest remains at 1. Link provided to full report.

March 31, 2020 report from Florida Health - increased testing reveals increase in confirmed cases.

Quick update the Report for Tuesday, March 31, 2020 is now posted– The information (partial areas listed below) was taken from pages 5-9 of the 111 page report. Do your own research – the facts are available for your full review. CLICK HERE to view the official update for Monday, March 30, 2020.

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of March 31. Data in this report are provisional and subject to change. CLICK HERE to view the official update for 3/31/2020.  An area is only listed if there is a confirmed report of the COVID-19 virus for that specific municipality.

The short update for the South Miami-Dade area – Palmetto Bay is at 7, Pinecrest remains at 1. Cutler Bay had a second case verified (2).

The increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

1,926      Miami-Dade County (Countywide)

36            Coral Gables, Dade 
   2           Cutler Bay
 24           Doral, Dade
   2           Florida City
46            Homestead, Dade
20            Key Biscayne, Dade
  7            Palmetto Bay, Dade
  1            Pinecrest, Dade
23           South Miami, Dade

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 3/31/2020.

VIDEO OF THE DAY! Wash Your Hands Dance with Baby Shark | Join #BabySharkHandWashChallenge...

FLORIDA HEALTH report – Coronavirus update for Monday, 3/30/2020 – Cutler Bay is one list for first time with 1 case reported. Pinecrest remains at 1, Palmetto Bay at 4, number of reported jump for Homestead and South Miami, link to full report.

March 30, 2020 report from Florida Health - increased testing reveals increase in confirmed cases.

Quick update the Report for Monday, March 30, 2020 is now posted– The information (partial areas listed below) was taken from pages 5-9 of the 111 page report. Do your own research – the facts are available for your full review. CLICK HERE to view the official update for Monday, March 30, 2020.

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of March 30. Data in this report are provisional and subject to change. CLICK HERE to view the official update for 3/30/2020.  An area is only listed if there is a confirmed report of the COVID-19 virus for that specific municipality.

The short update for the South Miami-Dade area – Palmetto By remains at 4. Pinecrest remains at 1. Cutler Bay made the list today, for the first time, with 1 case reported.

Homestead jumped from 19 to 40 confirmed cases, a one-day reporting increase of 21 cases.

South Miami also jumped in reported numbers to 23 report cases as of today, 3/30/20, up from 3 just a day prior – a 20 case increase.

The increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

1,632            Miami-Dade County (Countywide) 

26            Coral Gables, Dade

   1            Cutler Bay

 19           Doral, Dade

   1           Florida City

19            Homestead, Dade

18            Key Biscayne, Dade

  4           Palmetto Bay, Dade

  1            Pinecrest, Dade

23            South Miami, Dade

 CLICK HERE to view the official update for 3/30/2020.  

Thank you MDC Commissioner DLC & CM for getting Deering's Chinese Bridge reopened

 

Grassroots effort and inquiries directed to the proper representative gets public access restored. I will refer to the resident only by the initials "CM". Note - I have since received permission to use his proper name, so thank you Craig Merwitzer.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal leader on coronavirus policy, has said that running right now is "not only safe, it’s healthy.” Fauci himself is a serious runner. 

So that resolves the issue as to is outdoor exercise "OK". As far as I am concerned, run, bike, walk - do it safely. Stay healthy. 

The reason for the closure from the MDC Parks Department: "I hope everyone is safe and well ! regarding the Chinese bridge - unfortunately, we had to close off the bridge due to concerns that many folks were congregating at the bridge without adhering to social distancing requirements. We worked in concert with Village of Palmetto Bay Police Department, who placed the barricades as a safety concern. As soon as social distancing restrictions are lifted, we will open it up again". 

Grassroots action. Craig Merwitzer brought this matter to Commissioner DLC's attention on 3/28. The area was reopened to the public for safe use later that day and remains open as of Sunday, 3/29.

From the Commissioner: "From DLC:  Thank you everyone. I saw it was opened when I biked by at around 5 pm. Of course our health and safety are number one so all steps to prevent congregating are warranted. Hopefully our residents can exercise common sense and restraint."

Now please - do not congregate and violate the social distance requirement at the bridge. It is reopened, use it responsibly.

Relaxation tape - view this Hudson River excerpt

Oh, to be chilling on this river. Enjoy it vicariously.

FLORIDA HEALTH report – Coronavirus update for Sat., 3/28/2020 – Pinecrest remains at 1, Palmetto Bay at 4, others listed, link to full report.

Quick update – The information (partial areas listed below) was taken from pages 4-8 of the 81 page report. Do your own research – the facts are available for your full review. CLICK HERE to view the official update for Saturday, 3/28/2020.

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of March 28, 10:00 AM. Data in this report are provisional and subject to change. CLICK HERE to view the official update for 3/28/2020.  An area is only listed if there is a confirmed report of the COVID-19 virus for that specific municipality.

931            Miami-Dade County (Countywide) 

22            Coral Gables, Dade

 14           Doral, Dade

   1           Florida City

19            Homestead, Dade

15            Key Biscayne, Dade

  4           Palmetto Bay, Dade

  1            Pinecrest, Dade

  3            South Miami, Dade

Photos of the day - nature's art - color in the yard to try to lighten the mood.

Nature is doing its best to try to lighten the COVID-19 stay at home doldrums.

 Note the Bougainvillea providing a show in red (left rear background of photo) 

Just for fun during Coronavirus work from home - what I hear, what my mind sees when I start a Zoom meeting.

I have lost count of meetings that have moved to Skype and Zoom. Is everyone now an expert on Zoom?

People have remarked that I am often smiling during Zoom meetings. Want to know why? Well, secret revealed- The MEME below should provide an obvious hint as to the music I hear in my head when I start another Zoom meeting:

My usual number is 3-4 per day. My next teleconference meeting is scheduled for 2 PM, then 4:30 PM.

Oh, and just to mess with clients, fellow directors and co-workers, depending upon the meeting, I sometimes set up my videoconferencing meetings on my patio so they can enjoy the backyard oasis. No squirrel photo bombs yet. 

Palmetto Bay - Pinecrest – Coronavirus update, Thurs., 3/26/2020 update reports 1 for Pinecrest

I am really not going to do this everyday. I need some relief from all this - as I am sure everyone does.

The news of the day is that a case has been confirmed in Pinecrest. Here is the information I could find through sources at the Florida Health site:

# Cases  Municipality followed by County (I listed 11 municipalities in Miami-Dade County now that Pinecrest has joined the list - Cutler Bay remains off list, for now). 

The daily update was released and verified in the March 26, 2020, report released at 6:00 PM. 


600            Miami-Dade County (Countywide) 

  2            Biscayne Park, Dade

  3            Coconut Grove, Dade

10            Coral Gables, Dade

  8            Doral, Dade

11            Homestead, Dade

10            Key Biscayne, Dade

  6            North Miami, Dade
13            North Miami Beach, Dade

  3            Palmetto Bay, Dade

  1            Pinecrest, Dade

  3            South Miami, Dade

The information relative to the above was taken from pages 4-7 of the 57 page report. 

CLICK HERE to view the official 6:00 PM update for 3/26/2020. 

It is really time to get testing set up in a locale closer to Palmetto Bay.

Freebee rising to the challenge. Information on what it is doing for all service areas.

CLICK HERE to view this information online.

"In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Freebee is providing free restaurant delivery and catering its free transportation service to senior citizens." 

Review the embedded email below or click the link above to read the complete information.

Coronavirus - actions taken in neighboring jurisdictions- Pinecrest

I recently featured a blog post of random thoughts - relating to the potential mixed messages in Palmetto Bay. I am looking over the fence at neighboring Pinecrest and Cutler Bay to see what action has been taken there. Cutler Bay officials Send County Mayor Gimenez Letter Encouraging a Shelter in Place Emergency Order. Pinecrest officials are urging residents to stay at home in the Pinecrest Emergency Statement, which provides for the following:

Pinecrest, in coordination with Miami Dade County has issued an Emergency Statement which, among other requirements, asks people to stay at home.

Please follow what the national and local medical experts are telling us. Stay at Home.

We have temporarily closed Village facilities and certain businesses including the temporary closure all non-essential retail and commercial establishments until further notice.

This safer at home warning is designed to protect the health and well-being of residents Pinecrest and Miami Dade county and , to enforce the social distancing required in an effort to limit community spread of COVID-19.

All persons living within the Village of Pinecrest need to remain in their homes, and move about subject only to the county exemptions for essential Retail and Commercial Activities, as defined in Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 07-20. These essential retail and commercial activities include grocery stores; convenience stores; food distribution centers; restaurants (for take-out and delivery only), hospitals, pharmacies, and health care providers. A full list is on our web site.

All public and private gatherings of more than 10 people occurring outside a residence are not allowed, except for the exempted activities.

All travel, including, without limitation, travel on foot, bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, automobile, or use of public transit is strongly discouraged. Except for outdoor activity and recreation in areas not otherwise closed to the public, provided that the people do not congregate in groups of 10 or more and they maintain a distance of at least six (6) feet between each other. This includes without limitation: walking, hiking, running, or cycling. Please continue to do this but do it safely.

Our police department has been instructed to be proactive in encouraging compliance with these actions.

We need to stay at home until we see data that shows we have minimized the impact on our hospital system.

Thank you and continue to be safe. We are working around the clock to assure we are doing everything we can to impact this disease.

-------------------------------------

I will continue the updates as they are brought to my attention. I ask our Palmetto Bay officials to get serious and focus. Stop waiting and relying upon the County to 'be the bad guy' (some call the County to be the responsive and responsible leadership). Going last only shifted out of towners to our parks, increasing the exposure, the risk, to Palmetto Bay.

There was a flutter and appearance of a start of action in Palmetto Bay when the Council actually held a "virtual meeting" but, let's be honest, they have nothing of substance to show for it. See the official Virtual Special Council Meeting- Summary- posted on the Palmetto Bay government website. There was no discussion of joining in with nearly every other municipality to call for a stay at home order. Not even a discussion of a RECOMMENDATION to stay at home. Only a weak attempt to require that food prep employees to wear masks (not a CDC recommendation) and a partial restriction on short term rentals. Again, read the official summary -  there no consideration of a stay at home order to stop the spread of the pandemic. There would be no action taken in Palmetto Bay if not for the action imposed by Miami-Dade County.

Cutler Bay's Mayor has called for action.

The contrasts are striking. Both Cutler Bay and Pinecrest cancelled public events early on - to avoid risk to the public - while Palmetto Bay went ahead with its 2,000 gathering celebration picnic. Both Cutler Bay and Pinecrest closed their parks early on -  at times leading to non-Palmetto Bay residents travelling into our village to have access to parks - long before there were verified reports of Coronavirus in south Miami-Dade County. 

Perhaps the fast and decisive action in both  Cutler Bay and Pinecrest is why there are currently no verified cases of Coronavirus in either Cutler Bay or Pinecrest. Municipalities may enact their own restrictions (such as the 2 acts attempted by Palmetto Bay officials at their virtual meeting).

I ask our Palmetto Bay officials to check in with their fellow elected officials (there is not one case of coronavirus being spread via telephones or e-mails) to get updates on how to attempt to manage this crisis.

Palmetto Bay - Wed., 3/25/2020 update reports 3 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Palmetto Bay

And then there were three (3). The daily update was released and verified up to 5:00 PM. It is really time to get testing set up in a locale closer to Palmetto Bay.

Palmetto Bay Village Council Member David Singer originally broke the ice on the prior silence, releasing the initial report of the 2 previously confirmed cases of Coronavirus here in Palmetto Bay. Updated figures were released as of 5:00 PM, today, Wed., 3/25/2020.

Here is the information I could find through sources at the Florida Health site:
# Cases  Municipality followed by County (I listed 9 municipalities in Miami-Dade County). 

 2            Biscayne Park, Dade
 3            Coconut Grove, Dade
 7            Coral Gables, Dade

 8            Doral, Dade
 8            Homestead, Dade
 4            North Miami, Dade

11            North Miami Beach, Dade

 3            Palmetto Bay, Dade
 3            South Miami, Dade

CLICK HERE to view the official 5:00 PM update.

No cases have been report so far in either Pinecrest or Cutler Bay. This does not mean there are no cases. This means that no one has been tested positive at this time.

It is clear that case numbers follow testing. We need testing sites set up in South Miami-Dade County. I am told through County contacts that one site is set to open in West Kendall and an additional site is possible at the South Dade Government Center.

Random thoughts during Caronavirus. Are we receiving mixed messages?

Today, Wednesday, March 25, 2020, is another day working from home rather than heading to court for hearings or to the office. I am going outside to exercise as well as traveling to essential businesses. The itinerary for today has included the local grocery, and maybe later I will go to the pool supply store for chlorine (although, quite frankly, I have smelled quite enough bleach and other disinfectant to last for a while).

Making the best of the current situation.

Things I am thankful for today:

• Having learned to work from home as well as being properly equipped to work at home. [of course, the squirrels outside are quite distracting - cute, but still distracting - as is the chainsaw at work nearby (is that really essential today?)]
• E-mail.
• The Courts (both DOAH as well as the Miami-Dade County/Circuits Courts) having a robust e-filing and online docket system.
• Clients who are still at work - and those asking me to update their wills, and, possibly more importantly, their advanced directives such as a living will, healthcare surrogate designation, durable power of attorney and anatomical donations as part of their estate plans. Now is a great time to review, or if necessary, create your plan.
• With that in mind - thank you to Publix. The Miami Herald reports that this grocery chain will be putting plexiglass barriers at all checkout lanes, pharmacies and customer service desks. Chain-wide installation, set to begin this weekend, is expected to take two weeks.  See Miami Herald, March 25, 2020, Publix will install partitions in response to coronavirus pandemic, by David J. Neal.
• Of course, I am also thankful for the weather and the ability  to get outside  to safely exercise and work off the stress caused on everyone by this pandemic, personally and financially.

Things I am not so thankful for today? I will limit it to one today - My "Corona-Beard" it is really getting a bit annoying (sorry, no photos, but perhaps you can mark the lack of a corona-beard photo to your personal 'things you are thankful for today' column).

I have posted photos taken by a law partner of a 'current normal' downtown/Brickell (photos taken 3/24) that reveal a ghost town and even worse (horrors!) the condo pool deck has been closed!

MIXED MESSAGES?

The City of Miami on Tuesday ordered residents to stay home except when shopping, exercising and taking other trips to jobs and other places already exempted from widespread closure orders from the Coronavirus crisis. I reviewed the order.  It does allow for outdoor activities consistent with CDC recommended social distancing. I would think many Palmetto Bay residents are already in voluntary compliance - but wishing others would as well.

HOWEVER - in Palmetto Bay - it appears to me (and others) that Palmetto Bay elected officials are taking the opposite approach by promoting social mobility. While it is reported in the Miami-Herald that multiple local governments joined together on Monday (March 23) to tell their residents to stay home as much as possible to prevent the Coronavirus, Palmetto Bay has taken a different tack - extending the hours of the Freebee which in essence increases and encourages people to get out. It's not like people can dine out at local restaurants or attend the movies (those businesses are shuttered).

Palmetto Bay Government competing with existing businesses - Curiously, this extension includes the 'new' service of Freebee providing delivery of take out, which again - I wonder why the taxpayers are reaching deeper into their pockets to pay for enhanced services - especially when UBER and LYFT have stepped in to provide these services (at no charge to taxpayers) . This has been a topic of conversation. Isn't this the service that Doordash, UberEats, etc., already provide?  Is someone trying to reinvent the wheel here?   Lots of restaurants are offering Doordash for free, anyway.  Only we're not limited to Palmetto Bay with the real services or subsidized by the taxpayers.

Is Palmetto Bay offering to have my Pizza delivered by Freebee to my door in 30 minutes or its free?