Official release from MDCPS - - Anticipated COVID-19 Protocols for 2021-2022 School Year

Official media release from Miami-Dade County Public Schools relating to COVID-19 protocol for the upcoming (2021-2022) school year

CLICK HERE to view the official MDPS web page specific to this information.

The District expects in-person schooling, as recommended by the CDC, with guidelines including but not limited to:

·               Facial coverings will be required on buses. The wearing of facial coverings and social distancing outdoors while students wait for the bus will be a parental responsibility; however, both will be encouraged.

·               Social distancing will be in place in cafeterias and alternate dining venues will be used when possible.

·               A health screening room in all schools.

·               Heightened cleaning and sanitization protocols in place on buses, school campuses, and District offices. Personal hygiene behavior, including frequent hand-washing and the use of hand sanitizing stations will continue to be encouraged.

·               Improved air technology, such as purifiers, ionization systems, and upgraded A/C units.

·               Increased amount of outdoor fresh air coming into our school buildings.

·               HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems will run at maximum outside airflow for two hours before and after school buildings are occupied.

·               Instead of quarantining entire classes or departments, the quarantine process will focus on individuals directly impacted by a potential exposure due to the availability of better science and data.

For those parents who wish to continue virtual schooling, Miami-Dade Online and Miami-Dade Virtual are two options offered at M-DCPS. For more information, visit https://mdo.dadeschools.net/ or https://mdvs.dadeschools.net/.

M-DCPS strongly encourages all eligible students and employees to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus prior to the start of the new school year. For vaccination opportunities, visit dadeschools.net.

As this is an evolving situation, M-DCPS will keep you informed and provide updates as they become available. Our District has a later start date than most other Florida school districts, and we will use this later start date to our advantage as we continue to make decisions that prioritize the health of our students and employees. 

For the most up-to-date information, please download the Dadeschools Mobile App to your iPhone or Android device. Follow us on Twitter @mdcps and @miamisup, on Instagram @miamischools and @miamisup, and on Facebook at MiamiSchools and AlbertoCarvalho.

Awaiting verification - if proven, will you be scheduling a third dose? Will a 3rd dose increase your COVID antibody levels 5 to 11 fold?

Note: the following information is for discussion only. Make your own decisions. Many have refused vaccinations even in the face of a recent COVID surge of the Delta variant. So what can we do to add to our protection?

Is a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine in order? Pfizer appears to be steering the discussion in that direction. Note the following is Pfizer information; I have not seen any information that the CDC or other independent bodies have considered or commented on the information presented below. You can read the Pfizer power point - CLICK HERE.

5-fold for those 18-55? Pfizer has posted data online suggesting that antibody levels against the Delta variant in people ages 18 to 55 who receive a third dose of vaccine are greater than five-fold than following a second dose.

An 11 fold increase for those 65 to 85? Among people ages 65 to 85, the Pfizer data suggest that antibody levels against the Delta variant after receiving a third dose of vaccine are greater than 11-fold than following a second dose.

But what about the “’tweeners”, those aged 56 to 64???

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE – that the company data has not yet been peer-reviewed or published.

This information is put out in order to stimulate additional consideration of how to best protect yourself and loved ones during this COVID pandemic.

When you are fully vaccinated. Now what? CDC provides updates on What you Can Start to Do & What You Should Keep Doing

 Here is the official information from the CDC (CLICK HERE to view the official CDC info page):

What You Can Start to Do

If you’ve been fully vaccinated:

• You can gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart.
• You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people of any age from one other household (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks or staying 6 feet apart, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
• If you travel in the United States, you do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel.
• You need to pay close attention to the situation at your international destination before traveling outside the United States.
• You do NOT need to get tested before leaving the United States unless your destination requires it.
• You still need to show a negative test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States.
• You should still get tested 3-5 days after international travel.
• You do NOT need to self-quarantine after arriving in the United States.
• If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.
• However, if you live in a group setting (like a correctional or detention facility or group home) and are around someone who has COVID-19, you should still stay away from others for 14 days and get tested, even if you don’t have symptoms.

What You Should Keep Doing

For now, if you’ve been fully vaccinated:

• You should still take steps to protect yourself and others in many situations, like wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. Take these precautions whenever you are:
  • In public
  • Gathering with unvaccinated people from more than one other household
  • Visiting with an unvaccinated person who is at increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 or who lives with a person at increased risk
• You should still avoid medium or large-sized gatherings.
• If you travel, you should still take steps to protect yourself and others. You will still be required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Fully vaccinated international travelers arriving in the United States are still required to get tested within 3 days of their flight (or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months) and should still get tested 3-5 days after their trip.
• You should still watch out for symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you’ve been around someone who is sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested and stay home and away from others.
• You will still need to follow guidance at your workplace.

The Fauci-ouchie. 2nd and done! Jackson Health System rocks! Great people providing great service.

Done. Thank you to the Jackson Health System for taking care of my local family.

I commended the staff at Jackson South for how the treated my mother. Everything was set up well and everything moved much better than I dared to expect. We joked back in January that my mother can now do the grocery shopping for the rest of us once her immunization is complete (she cannot), but that I won't have to worry about bringing COVID home to her. (See prior related post of January 9, 2021, Great experience at Jackson South - took my mother for her COVID vaccine on Friday, 1/8/2020) 

I was not able to get an appointment at Jackson South when my turn came, so I took the first available which was located at the North Dade Health Center branch of Jackson Memorial Hospital. I was not disappointed. To the contrary, It was all good.

The drive was nothing. Add in the very slight wait time and I bet I was portal to portal in less time than most other facilities. I barely had a chance to sit during either visit. The Jackson team has this effort down to a well oiled process. And everyone has been professional, skilled and a pleasure to be around.

Alexandra was also vaccinated Saturday. Mothers have been set since the end of January (again, thank you Jackson South). Both our daughters are in process of their vaccinations. Our youngest is set for her initial dose on Wednesday (she is interning out of State, in a State where they have reached her age group). Our oldest has received her initial vaccination in Texas a few weeks ago thanks to the Chickasaw Nation and its effort to protect educators.

I am thankful that we have been vaccinated. But the sobering fact remained that no one is safe until we all are safe. the rest of the family remain at risk as we do not have the luxury of maintaining a sealed bubble at home.  

Thank you Jackson Health System and thank you Chickasaw Nation.

It’s Groundhog’s Day – once again. But this time it’s virtual. We won’t notice the difference, but for the size of the crowds we see on the screen. How/where to tune in to follow the events.

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021 - is Groundhog’s Day – once again. But this time it’s virtual. We won’t notice the difference, but for the size of the crowds we see (or won't see) on the screen. How/where to tune in to follow the events.

Punxsutawney Phil will leave his burrow at 7:25 a.m. February 2nd at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania when h will perform his annual duty to observe the weather conditions and look for his shadow. He will then make his prediction for the remainder of winter. One place to look for Punxsutawney Phil is www.groundhog.org to view it online!

The Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club takes the COVID-19 threat seriously and is looking out for the health of all who would like to participate. The club determined that there will not be any in person attendance or guests on the grounds due to the potential Covid risks. 

There will be a live ceremony and prognostication, but no live attendance of spectators. All are invited to participate virtually including television, Internet and live steaming. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club developed numerous live internet, website and virtual events and interactions that will take the place of the traditional in person events.  

Information regarding these virtual events is listed on their website:  www.groundhog.org.  

EDITOR’S NOTE: Strange. We here in sunny South Florida can for the first (and hopefully yhe only time) enjoy the annual Groundhog’s Day event with Punxsutawney Phil to the very same extent as the locals!

I do want to see this event live sometime, obviously not this year. It is a fun event.

Great experience at Jackson South - took my mother for her COVID vaccine on Friday, 1/8/2020

I commend the staff at Jackson South. We completed the first of two steps in inoculating my mother for COVID. I often have some constructive observations for how to improve things, but I have none in this instance. Everything was set up well and everything moved much better than I dared to expect. I feared a traffic back up, a parking crunch, a long walk for my elderly mother to get to the specific department - but was pleased to find no fears realized. I was even able to accompany her throughout the process. In other words, our luck continued. It did not end at scoring the appointment.

The experience was easy. Parking was directly in front of the line. Out of the car into the line (we were luck on the specific parking spot that the police officer directed us to). The line itself moved quickly. We were in and out in less than fifty-five (55) minutes, and that includes the 15 minute required wait time post injection.

Staff was professional, as you would expect. The lines provided for proper social distancing. Everyone was wearing masks (and properly wearing their masks). Everyone was pleasant from staff to the other patients waiting for their turn, but of course everyone is happy. We all felt like we won the lottery. So many of my friends are 0 - 4 for scheduling appointments for the vaccinations- Jackson, Tropical Park, Baptist Health Systems, and then Hard Rock Stadium. We feel lucky to have the first of two shots out of the way.

My mother's second and final appointment is set for the end of this month, January. It will be a relief when she is set - one down, with date in hand for the second and final. But there is still the issue as to the rest of my family - and myself - to go, without even a projected date for when we can reasonably expect our doses. And then, will we be as lucky as my mother and get the appointments promptly when our numbers are called or will it be our turn to go 0-4 or 0 for more when they reach to the younger, more active age groups? We are still at 65 and older. I am concerned with when and if my number gets called. After all, will our respective age groups be called or will be be competing in a larger pool that includes those over 65 still fighting for their inoculations?

We joked that my mother can now do the grocery shopping for the rest of us once her immunization is complete (she cannot), but at least I wont have to worry about bringing COVID home to her. 

But the sobering fact remains that the rest of the family remain at risk as we do not have the luxury of maintaining a sealed bubble at home. We need to get more doses to the professionals at Jackson South. The COVID vaccine needs to get off the production line and into our arms at a much faster rate. I have seen the delivery. And we, the taxpayers, have done our part by providing the tax dollars for the research and development. The issue now is delivery so let's put aside the photo ops, the government officials selfishly butting the line, and speed up the supply. Quiet honestly, the elected officials should anchor the line, not butting it. 

Again, there are professional PR staff to release the information. I prefer elected officials who are busy in meetings and public hearings setting up delivery and making sure the distribution is properly funded for success. 

Thank you Jackson South.

Post update. Signs and fixtures being taken down at Palmetto Bay's (now former) Offerdahl’s. POD

 Sad (for many of us) photos of the day (taken Wednesday, 12-30-2020).  These photos bring finality to the location as first revealed in the PRIOR RELATED POST of December 17, 2020, COVID Casualty. Offerdahl’s Palmetto Bay location will not reopen. Memories and Offerdahl’s Statement.

FOSDU provided these two photos of the signs and fixtures being taken down and removed from the Offerdahl’s Palmetto Bay location.  

I have not received any concrete information on what will replace the Offerdahl’s at this Palmetto Bay location. Anyone with information can feel free to share so I can keep everyone in the loop.

COVID Casualty. Offerdahl’s Palmetto Bay location will not reopen. Memories and Offerdahl’s Statement

This is sad news. We were waiting on a promised reopening. The original announcement was made March 24, 2020, 

ATTN: Due to the Covid-19 circumstances, Offerdahl's in Palmetto Bay, FL will temporarily close as of today. Please check back to receive updates and reopening information !!

Things change. Often unexpectedly and sometimes for the worse. We enjoyed the friends we met up with there along with the food and employees.  I have great memories of meetings with constituents and friends, picking up breakfasts for Palmetto Bay meetings (including the youth board - and rest assured, at my personal expense, not reimbursed by the Village taxpayers). John Offerdahl was both a great football player for our Miami Dolphins as well as a restaurateur.

Unfortunately, there will be no reopening for Palmetto Bay location. I have posted the 12-16-2020, statement from Offerdahl’s as posted on social media:

Thank you Palmetto Bay!

It is with deep sadness that we announce the closing of our Palmetto Bay Offerdahl’s location. After almost 20 years of serving our Palmetto Bay fans, our battle to reopen during the Covid-19 crisis has come to an end. We will focus our efforts on keeping our remaining 8 grills in the Broward & Palm Beach markets strong and resilient during these challenging days.

We appreciate all the years of building a bond with you, getting to know your Off-The-Grill preferences, and sharing life with you. We hope you will visit one of our other locations so you can keep eating those Offerdahl recipes you have grown to love. Stop by our Hollywood location (the closest to Miami) and introduce yourself to Juan, Ryan or Candace and let them know you’re up from Palmetto Bay! We certainly don’t want to lose your continued support or appetite!

GRATEfully yours,

The Offerdahl’s & Palmetto Bay TEAM!

COVID - please mask up and take precautions. Let's all do our part to get past this. The adverse impact to health and business is far too real.

Best wishes to the Offerdahl's team from your friends here in Palmetto Bay!

The State of the Village Leadership – governments such as Palmetto Bay should set the example, not flaunt the CDC and County recommendations by hosting a potential local super spreader event

Just as the rules should apply to everyone, so too should the recommendations. Governments should lead by example. 

Example: The CDC is asking people not to travel during the Thanksgiving Holiday. The CDC is asking people to take precautions and limit contacts. 

Miami- Dade County's official messaging discourages celebrations beyond the immediate household. A county-produced video campaign on Thanksgiving encourages viewers to “share a virtual dinner with family and friends.”

Miami Herald: Skipping a big Thanksgiving during COVID-19? Here are some other ways to celebrate, 11/23/2020, by Simone Jasper

Actions speak louder than words, so then why is the Palmetto Bay Mayor planning what could be a 'super spreader' event for December 3, 2020? I am specifically referring to a "live" 2020 State of the Village Address. Enjoy an evening of fun at Ludovici Park, Thursday, December 3rd, 7 pm. Complimentary valet parking.

Food and drink - well it is apparently safe to remove masks to eat and drink, at least in Palmetto Bay. 

Valet Parking? So strangers will be getting in and out of different cars. Sharing contact between vehicles.

I just don't understand why this event should not be held virtually. Is this a case of overinflated egos, an overdeveloped sense of immunity, reckless disregard for the safety of community or an underdeveloped sense of self-control, to do things in the same manner and for the same regard for fellow residents?  Cutler Bay recently held its State of the Town through virtual presentation, but then again this Palmetto Bay is no Cutler Bay.

Perhaps the current Palmetto Bay mayor, council members, administration and staff are getting impatient for the vaccine that may be out in early spring and are instead pushing for the herd immunity to take root here in Palmetto Bay. 

The CDC has posted recommendations for those who insist on Attending a gathering this Thanksgiving, but one again, I don't think they are referring to government holding an event for hundreds of people. per the CDC:

Celebrating virtually or with the people you live with is the safest choice this Thanksgiving.

If you choose to attend a gathering, make your celebration safer. In addition to following the steps that everyone can take to make Thanksgiving safer, take these additional steps if attending a Thanksgiving gathering:

• Bring your own food, drinks, plates, cups, and utensils.
• Wear a mask and safely store your mask while eating and drinking.
• Avoid going in and out of the areas where food is being prepared or handled, such as in the kitchen.
• Use single-use options, like salad dressing and condiment packets, and disposable items like food containers, plates, and utensils.
  

Many students have gone to home schooling. Football teams are rescheduling games due to positive COVID tests, some colleges and universities are shifting back to online learning. 

We are not going to be successful in beating COVID unless we are all pushing in one direction, that we all follow the same rules and recommendations.

It takes a village, but this village appears to believe that it is an island. Recommendations, ha! Palmetto Bay is hosting a live party! Covid-19 be damned.