Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez's Executive Order 20-20 requiring mask. Palmetto Bay once again relying upon leadership from the County. Time to listen to Council Member Singer as well as follow the lead of Cutler Bay. 13 versus 1 is telling.

Thank you Mayor Gimenez for taking action that applies to Palmetto Bay.

Palmetto Bay continues to meet minimum standards. Grade wise, that is generally given the letter grade of “C-.” And while I was pleased to see our Village Policing Unit at the local grocery store this morning (4/10/2020) enforcing rules of social distancing and use of masks, my pleasure was tempered by the knowledge that these rules were actually put in place by Miami-Dade County, not Palmetto Bay; that it took leadership from outside our Village to make this happen. The store employees were also wearing masks. I had mine as did 99% of other shoppers.  This could have happened much earlier, but as I started off this post, once again, thank you Mayor Gimenez for taking action that applies to Palmetto Bay.

Palmetto Bay has been doing NOTHING other than following behind the county dictates. Cutler Bay and Pinecrest have both been aggressive. The stats to date show results that are favorable to the health of the Cutler Bay and Pinecrest residents.  However, let's assess honestly: of Palmetto Bay officials, only Council Member David Singer has shown any concern for bringing local ordinances to protect residents during this coronavirus pandemic. A review of the village agendas would show what has really been going on.  Also see: April 9, 2020, Photo of the Day - action, partial action and all others (all others are those not listed). And Thank you David Singer for protecting essential employees (Agenda item 10 C). Palmetto Bay did not join the Masked Club, it was dragged into it by Miami-Dade County Order.  Most of Palmetto Bay is located within the 33157 zip code - one of the biggest COVIC-19 hot spots in Miami-Dade County. Cutler Bay has been very aggressive in protecting its residents; perhaps that is why the current count for Cutler Bay is a single case (1) while Palmetto Bay is in the teens (13) as of April 9, 2020. See: April 9, 2020, COVID - 19 FLORIDA HEALTH update for Thursday, April 9, 2020. The short update for the Old Cutler Tri-City area of South Miami-Dade – Palmetto Bay is presently at 13, Pinecrest at 6, Cutler Bay at 1.  

Most everyone else appear to realize that these are serious times - with profound impact, long and short term, for our residents and the Village as a whole, as to our personal and financial health. The time has passed for Mayor Cunningham (and others on the Council) to take the advice attributed to American Patriot Thomas Paine: “Lead, follow, or get out of the way." Palmetto Bay is far behind Cutler Bay - and Pinecrest in protecting its residents. Mayor Cunningham needs to get out of the way and listen and act on the advice and leadership, both of neighboring Cutler Bay, as well as one of Palmetto Bay's own: Council Member David Singer.

Now on to Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez's Executive Order 20-20 requiring masks:

Strict social distancing of at least six feet between people is still required, even when masks are in use MIAMI ( April 09, 2020 ) — Today Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez signed Executive Order 20-20 requiring the use of facial coverings by people working in or visiting grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, construction sites, public transit vehicles, vehicles for hire, and locations where social distancing measures are not possible. This order goes into effect as of 11:59 p.m. on April 9, 2020:
Following guidelines set by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, this Order requires the use of any facial covering that snugly covers the face and mouth, whether store-bought or homemade, and is secured with ties or ear loops. Examples of compliant home-made masks may be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html People should not use N95-rated masks, since these are critical supplies for health care workers, police, fire, emergency management, or other people engaged in life/safety activities. Everyone wearing masks should review the CDC and Florida Department of Health guidelines regarding safe application, removal and cleaning of masks. Masks are not be required for children younger than two years old or anyone who has trouble breathing due to a chronic pre-existing condition. “I want to remind everyone that while wearing masks can help for close encounters, you must continue to practice social distancing,” Mayor Gimenez said. “We do not want anyone to have a false sense of security by solely wearing a mask. “Even people who feel perfectly healthy and are wearing masks can transmit COVID-19, so everyone, keep your distance of at least six feet and, please, do everything within your power to stay ‘Safer at Home’!” The provisions of EO 20-20 are the minimum standards required by the County. Municipalities may impose more stringent standards within their jurisdictions, as permitted by law. For the County’s most recent COVID-19 updates, go to miamidade.gov/coronavirus. # # # To request materials in accessible format, sign language interpreters, and/or any accommodation to participate in any County-sponsored program or meeting, please call Office of Communications, 305-375-1545 or email, comminfo@miamidade.gov, five days in advance to initiate your request. TTY users may also call 711 (Florida Relay Service). Office of the Mayor 111 NW 1st Street, Suite 2910 Miami, FL 33128