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.

Third party recommendations for a safe Halloween, 2020

Start thinking of your private bubble & what Trick or Treat

activities you will participate in.

Halloween Covid-19 edition

The Centers For Disease Control (CDC) lists information for Fall/Winter holiday celebrations

The CDC offers the following considerations to help protect individuals, their families, friends, and communities from COVID-19. 

As noted on the CDC website:
These considerations are meant to supplement—not replace—any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which holiday gatherings must comply. When planning to host a holiday celebration, you should assess current COVID-19 levels in your community to determine whether to postpone, cancel, or limit the number of attendees.

Virus spread risk at holiday celebrations

Celebrating virtually or with members of your own household pose low risk for spread. In-person gatherings pose varying levels of risk. Event organizers and attendees should consider the risk of virus spread based on event size and use of mitigation strategies, as outlined in the Considerations for Events and Gatherings. There are several factors that contribute to the risk of getting infected or infecting others with the virus that causes COVID-19 at a holiday celebration. In combination, these factors will create various amounts of risk, so it is important to consider them individually and together:

CLICK HERE to read the complete information from the official CDC website.

POD - do as Batman does, wear the mask. "The mask is not for you. It's to protect the people you care about."

Listen to Batman, if you won’t listen to the CDC. Batman provides a perfect explanation as to why we should wear a face covering during the pandemic. The quote is lifted from the 2012 movie The Dark Knight Rises.

"The mask is not for you. It's to protect the people you care about."

Enjoy your ride. Please ride safely and in full compliance with the rules of the road and the emergency orders relating to COVID-19. Key Biscayne has agreed to suspend enforcement of their Order prohibiting non-motorized vehicles from entering Key Biscayne.

Enjoy your ride, please ride safely and in full compliance with the rules of the road and the emergency orders relating to COVID-19.

We are pleased to announce that the Village of Key Biscayne has agreed to suspend enforcement of their Order prohibiting non-motorized vehicles from entering Key Biscayne. During this temporary suspension, bicycles will be permitted within the Village, subject to strict compliance with applicable Miami-Dade County and Village Emergency Order requirements, which include, but are not limited to, maintaining appropriate social distancing and facial coverings.

We were notified of this decision by counsel for the Village of Key Biscayne sent at 11:53 AM on Friday, July 10, 2020.

Our position remains consistent that the violators should be held accountable for their actions, not any class of people, in this case cyclists. Law Enforcement may charge violators under Florida Statutes Section 252.50, Penalties, a second degree misdemeanor, should an individual fail to comply.

Everyone, no matter who they are or what their method of transportation, must comply with the requirements to wear a mask and social distance.  Obey the Emergency Order , and stay safe!

For more information, contact any of the following:

Eugene Flinn, Esq. 305-302-3713

David Winkler, Esq. 305-801-8700

Paul Schweip, Esq. 305-495-3833

Back pedaling. Palmetto Bay - has relinquished its honorable mention as a bicycle friendly community.

I have blogged on this topic several times. Now the Miami Herald as taken notice, see: Bike lanes to nowhere: Miami lags behind other cities during coronavirus bicycling boom, by Linda Robertson, 6/18/2020, noting that:

A bicycling boom has swept the world, propelled by the coronavirus pandemic. Cities have reacted to plummeting traffic by creating new bike lanes and connecting old ones for workers needing an alternative to subways and buses, for stir-crazy families and for people running errands, seeking exercise or visiting friends.

  ***   ***   ***Just when bike infrastructure is in high demand, nothing is happening in a metropolis consistently ranked as one of the deadliest places in the country for cyclists, an audit by Transit Alliance Miami found. A 10-block stretch of Ocean Drive in South Beach is the only street in greater Miami that’s been completely closed to cars in response to the pandemic, mainly to relieve crowding in Lummus Park and enable socially distanced dining.

As reported in the Herald, South Florida leaders have not designated new bike lanes and continue to let old bike master plans that map out a cycling network languish on the shelf. So let’s take a look at what has happened since the change in administrations here in Palmetto Bay:

Why have long term strategic plans if elected officials are going to ignore them? We all realize that new mayors, new councils, bring with them new policies and priorities. Sometimes change is good and sometimes it is shortsighted. Regardless, there should be room for bike/motorist safety with this current mayor and Council. The mixed messages delivered during the election are being sorted out through ongoing actions (and in-action).  Please see my prior post of November 21, 2018, relating to the $1,000,000 TAP grant obtained for bike lane safety improvements on SW 82nd Avenue. It is decision time: Bike lanes or not, safe streets or not.  Follow through with the Palmetto Bay Traffic Master Plan and Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan or not? Do you know what has happened since that time? Nothing. Nothing at all.

Bike lanes are important, both for the safety of the cyclists as well as providing additional lane space for motorists.

38 PLACES RECOGNIZED WITH A BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY AWARD
BICYCLE FRIENDLY AMERICA
BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY
by Amelia Neptune

As more Americans turn to biking during the pandemic, the League of American Bicyclists honors the communities across the country making biking better for everyone 

The League of American Bicyclists honored 38 places with a Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award in its Spring 2020 round of awards. There were eight first-time applicants earning Honorable Mentions. The 38 first-time communities join 482 total BFC awardees in the movement to build a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.  I will spoil the anticipation – Palmetto Bay is off the list. (CLICK HERE to view the list of 482 exclusive communities)

 “Undeniably, during the pandemic more Americans are biking to get around and to experience the joy that comes with being on a bike ,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “The League is proud to recognize  these Bicycle Friendly Communities where leaders, both in government and advocacy, have committed to building better places for people to ride, whether they are new or seasoned. Bringing the joy of biking to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds is at the core of the mission of the League, and these Bicycle Friendly Communities are doing just that.”

All those families riding Palmetto Bay – and yet their efforts are not supported by our local mayor and village council. Sad. And out of touch.

We were once on our way to completing the Palmetto Bay Bicycle and Pedestrian master plan - a professional strategic plan for roadway safety. That is now off track and the talk among some professionals is whether Palmetto Bay is going to turn back $1 Million in current awarded grants as well as forgoing future roadway grants. Go back to the Palmetto Bay Strategic Plan (approved February 2019 - under this current mayor and council) and search "bicycle" - look how many times it is mentioned. Compare talk versus action. Promises versus delivery. 

The League of American Bicyclists had once listed Palmetto Bay as an "honorable mention" for re-starting efforts to address the need of bicyclists in our community. 

Communities that earn an Honorable Mention are recognized for a year. These communities are recognized for starting efforts to address the need of bicyclists in their community. They often have popular shared use paths, community-wide bicycling events, or recent bicycle planning processes. Over 100 communities that originally earned an Honorable Mention have gone on to be awarded a Bronze designation or better.

Please see my prior post of December 5, 2017, Palmetto Bay earned an honorable mention as a bicycle friendly community.

Now it appears that we are no longer a listed community. Good work squandered.

And, by the way, Miami-Dade County is listed as a Bronze community.  Palmetto Bay has officially sunk below Miami-Dade County on this issue!  Who remained and moved up on the list? City of Miami, Village of Key Biscayne, Doral, Miami-Dade County, South Miami, Miami Beach and Miami Shores are all communities that have moved up to Bronze or Silver certification. We, Palmetto Bay, was once with or even ahead of these communities.

This while the City of Miami was recently Awarded Bronze as a Bicycle Friendly Community, recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as having made significant progress since last year's recognition as a Honorable Mention as a Bicycle Friendly Community. The City of Miami will continue to expand its bicycle network and work to create a safer more bicycle friendly atmosphere.  Meanwhile, what is Palmetto Bay's next steps toward updating its traffic infrastructure and promoting alternative and healthier methods of travel within our Village. I will be covering this matter throughout my blogs. We have bike safety issues throughout the village. Palmetto Bay was working through issues on 82nd Avenue, SW 136th Street, SW 168th Street as well as Old Cutler Road.

Palmetto Bay families enjoy bicycling. Its family time.  See just one example: A great start - the inaugural "Bike By The Bay" - Saturday, October 17, 2015

Will Palmetto Bay relinquish its title to #TheBikeDistrict?  Bicycling Palmetto Bay has been a large part of our character and has been integrated into many of our events such as our Earth Week celebrations:


CLICK HERE to view my prior posts relating to bicycling in our Palmetto Bay community.

CLICK HERE to see the entire list posted online by the League of American Bicyclists. 

Happy Global Running Day! (Wed., June 3, 2020). Photos and links to local events once held here

Today is Global Running Day, 2020. This year is different. See https://globalrunningday.org/

Running has joined meetings, school classes, court hearings, even weddings and birthday celebrations as ‘going virtual’ during this Coronavirus Pandemic.

See CNN: Global Running Day isgoing virtual this year, by Allen Kim, 6/3/2020

Between May 28 and June 7, runners are invited to participate in a virtual leaderboard through the run-tracking app Strava. Participants are being asked to run or walk a mile anywhere during that time. They can also create their own bib templates, and printable finish line tapes.

Participants are also encouraged to join in on a game of virtual tag with the #Run1Tag1 challenge, designed to inspire others to participate by tagging them on social media.

We have seen (and I have covered many examples of) how people are managing their activities, returning to cycling and running, joining in with those who do regularly enjoy our outstanding South Florida outdoors.

There was a brief time when Palmetto Bay was home to outdoor special events that promoted more than gathering, promoting teamwork, health and active activities. I miss our Tri-City Run Club, a great family event, the 5Ks – especially the Color Run I worked hard to partner with as a fundraiser for the local schools, the Earth Week and other community Bike Rides and Bike-B-Ques. 

Good times. Let’s bring them all back.  It’s healthy, fun and builds community.

CLICK HERE to see prior posts related to running and similar active events once held in Palmetto Bay.

 

WEEKENDER – Sat. May 30, FLORIDA HEALTH Coronavirus update released. The short update for the Old Cutler Tri-City area of South Miami-Dade area: Palmetto Bay now at 35 (or is it 37?), Pinecrest jumps to 18, and Cutler Bay remains at 12 confirmed cases. Link provided to full report.

The short update for the Old Cutler Tri-City area of South Miami-Dade area: Palmetto Bay now at 35 (or is it 37?), Pinecrest jumps to 18, and Cutler Bay remains at 12 confirmed cases. Link provided to full report.

Source - official Florida Health Report for Saturday, May 30, 2020:

Cases          Area

17,826*        Miami-Dade County (Countywide) (inclusive of the municipalities listed below)

       12            Cutler Bay                         Page   10
       35            Palmetto Bay                     Page     8
         2            Village of Palmetto Bay     Page   13 
       18            Pinecrest                           Page     9

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of Saturday, May 30, 2020, 10:00 AM. 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 increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 5/30/2020 (975 pages - municipalities listed can be found beginning page 6 – 16)

COVID-19 update released Monday, May 25, 2020, by FLORIDA HEALTH– Palmetto Bay reaches 34 (plus another mysterious listing of “Village of Palmetto Bay” with “1”), Pinecrest remains at 10 and Cutler Bay reaches 12. Link provided to full daily report.

Monday - 5/25/2020 State of Florida Update:

Source - official Florida Health Report for Thursday, May 14, 2020:


Cases          Area

17,041*        Miami-Dade County (Countywide) (inclusive of the municipalities listed below)

       12            Cutler Bay                      See pages  12
      34            Palmetto Bay                 See page     8  & 14 
      10            Pinecrest                         See page    10

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of Monday, May 25, 2020, 10:00 AM. 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 increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 5/25/2020 (913 pages - municipalities listed can be found beginning page 6 – 16)

Palmetto Bay Parks - re-opening Monday, May 18. Here are the 'new normal' (for now) Rules and Regulations

Starting Monday - limited use of Palmetto Bay parks. Your "Village of Parks" are back in operation under the stated "new normal" rules and regulations. 

COVID-19 update released Thursday, May 14, 2020, by FLORIDA HEALTH– Palmetto Bay reaches 30, Pinecrest now at 10 and Cutler Bay reaches 3. Link provided to full daily report.

The short update for the Old Cutler Tri-City area of South Miami-Dade area: Palmetto Bay now at 30, Pinecrest 10, and Cutler Bay has reached 3 confirmed cases. Link provided to full report.

Source - official Florida Health Report for Thursday, May 14, 2020:

Cases          Area

14,742*        Miami-Dade County (Countywide) (inclusive of the municipalities listed below)

        3            Cutler Bay                      See page   12 of report
      30            Palmetto Bay                See page     8 
      10            Pinecrest                        See page   10

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of Thursday, May 14, 2020, 10:00 AM. 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 increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 5/14/2020 (764 pages - municipalities listed can be found beginning page 6 – 15)

COVID-19 Weekender update Saturday, May 9, 2020, by FLORIDA HEALTH– Palmetto Bay reaches 27, Pinecrest now at 9 and Cutler Bay remains at 2. Link provided to full daily report.

Source - official Florida Health Report for Saturday, May 9, 2020:

Cases          Area

13,841*        Miami-Dade County (Countywide) (inclusive of the municipalities listed below)

       2            Cutler Bay                      See page    12 (out of 710 total pages)

     27            Palmetto Bay                 See page     8

       9            Pinecrest                        See page    10

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of Saturday, May 9, 2020, 10:00 AM. 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 increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 5/09/2020 (710 pages - municipalities listed can be found beginning page 6 – 15)

Opinion and online article: It is healthy to be outside. It all needs to be done in accordance with the CDC guidelines. We need to prepare for the new normal. We need to maintain physical and mental health. The struggle with cabin fever is real.

A very good read (that I will allow to make most of my points for me), see Business Insider - April 25, 2020 - Stop shaming people for going outside. The risks are generally low, and the benefits are endless, by Anna Medaris Miller.

Her opening example:

Don McCammon recently went for a run while wearing a mask in an uncrowded area of Orlando, Florida. The 40-year-old triathlete stayed not just 6 but closer to 15 feet away from any passersby.  

That didn't spare him from criticism, though. 

"I had a walker yell at me that I shouldn't be running during a pandemic," McCammon said. But the infectious-disease expert Anthony Fauci, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and New York City leaders and public-health officials have said they go on regular jogs.

We can find numerous examples here in our Palmetto Bay community, both out in public as well as in full public view of social media. Far too many people are quick to judge and cast stones at those who they feel are not adhering to what they judge to be proper.

When communities issued shelter-in-place orders, people reasonably interpreted it literally, even though the fine print almost always said people could, and even should, go outside to exercise. And when staying home became a point of pride, some mental-health professionals said people were missing the point: Mother Earth is home too. 

"Our research has found that nature is not an amenity — it's a necessity," Marc Berman, a psychologist at the University of Chicago who studies how environmental factors can affect the brain and behavior, said in a UChicago News story. "We need to take it seriously.

I have made numerous examples of how people are coping with the closure of schools, gyms, working from home - where do you go? Fortunately in Miami, we have the beautiful outdoors.  Cabin Fever is real. See Healthline -  

What is cabin fever?In popular expressions, cabin fever is used to explain feeling bored or listless because you’ve been stuck inside for a few hours or days. But that’s not the reality of the symptoms.

Instead, cabin fever is a series of negative emotions and distressing sensations people may face if they’re isolated or feeling cut off from the world.

These feelings of isolation and loneliness are more likely in times of social distancing, self-quarantining during a pandemic, or sheltering in place because of severe weather.

As I have also mentioned previously, many have anyone taken notice of the sudden explosion of people cycling in our community. I am not talking about the MAMILs, I am referring to families and more casual riders. I am now seeing a huge increase of high school / college age people on bikes - and I wonder if they are riding because you can travel together separately on a bike, all the time maintaining the social distancing that you lose by piling into the same car.

Outdoor activity is good! Stay connected to our community. So long as the social distancing is maintained.

WEEKENDER – Sat. April 25, FLORIDA HEALTH Coronavirus update released: Palmetto Bay now at 20, Pinecrest 7, and Cutler Bay has reached 2 confirmed cases. Link provided to full report.

The short update for the Old Cutler Tri-City area of South Miami-Dade area: Palmetto Bay now at 20, Pinecrest 7, and Cutler Bay has reached 2 confirmed cases. Link provided to full report.

Source - official Florida Health Report for April 25, 2020:

# Cases        Area

11,005*       Miami-Dade County (Countywide) (inclusive of the municipalities listed below)

       2            Cutler Bay                      See page  12 (out of 549 total pages)
     20            Palmetto Bay                 See page     8
       7            Pinecrest                        See page   10

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of April 25, 10:00 AM. 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 increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 4/25/2020 (549 pages - municipalities listed can be found beginning page 6 – 14)

A plea from a fellow resident on proper use of facemasks - official CDC information/links provided. Be your brother's keeper

Concern from a fellow resident: "A mask is a tool. A tool is only effective if you use it properly."

Photo Credit - from CDC info site

This is a critical time to disseminate and be aware of important lifesaving information. While we all enjoy updates on virtual happy hours, exercise, or photo op caravans, many have pointed out that some hard core information is needed on prevention, not fluff emails meant to entertain people. This article was sent to me by a friend and reader who feels an urgency to get this information out on how to properly wear a face mask.

 Yesterday, while I was waiting for my son to come out of Publix, I saw person after person after person walking around wearing their face mask improperly.  These people seem to think the idea behind wearing a face mask is to be compliant and not get into trouble or so they are allowed into the store.  

Some people don’t seem to understand that their face mask is supposed to be for protection. I saw people wearing masks covering their mouth, but not their nose.  I saw people wearing a mask using only one of the straps, making it sit loosely on their face, but not actually sealing the mask.  This wasn’t just one or two people. This was dozens of people. This helps to clarify part of the reason why Palmetto Bay has far more infections than Cutler Bay and Pinecrest.

Here are some helpful links on how to wear a face mask.

Photo Credit - from CDC info site

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html


https://youtu.be/zoxpvDVo_NI

-FOSDU

Editor’s Note: here are just some of the topics covered in the links above –

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines:

Cloth face coverings should—

• fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• be secured with ties or ear loops
• include multiple layers of fabric
• allow for breathing without restriction
• be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

CDC on Homemade Cloth Face Coverings

NOTE : CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

• Should cloth face coverings be washed or otherwise cleaned regularly? How regularly?
• How does one safely sterilize/clean a cloth face covering? 
• How does one safely remove a used cloth face covering?
• Sew and No Sew Instructions

Having accurate and pertinent information is of the utmost importance of staying safe. I recommend that you review the full information posted by the CDC

COVID-19 update released Tuesday, April 21, 2020, by FLORIDA HEALTH– Palmetto Bay reaches 19, Pinecrest remains at 7 and Cutler Bay 1. Link provided to full report.

The short update for the Old Cutler Tri-City area of South Miami-Dade area: Palmetto Bay now at 19, Pinecrest 7, and somehow, Cutler Bay remains at a single reported case (1).

 

Source - official Florida Health Report for April 21, 2020 (now at 491 pages - CLICK HERE to download and view):

Cases          Area

9,840        Miami-Dade County (Countywide) (inclusive of the municipalities listed below)

        1            Cutler Bay                      See page  14 (out of 491)

     19            Palmetto Bay,                See page    8

       7            Pinecrest,                       See page   10