WEATHER ALERT
Are your kids doing school virtually? We want to see what your home classroom looks like
Read full article: Are your kids doing school virtually? We want to see what your home classroom looks likeWhether your children have already begun their school year or you’re still preparing, due to delays, there are many who are choosing to keep their kids home to learn as the coronavirus pandemic rages on. Parents are doing their best to adapt, and we applaud every parent for the decision they’re making -- regardless of what that is. But for those who are keeping kids home for virtual learning, we want to see exactly how you’re adapting. What does the “classroom” you’ve created look like? We’d love to see what kinds of ideas parents have come up with, and we have a feeling other parents might appreciate some good ideas, too.
Police in one country are using drones to enforce social distancing
Read full article: Police in one country are using drones to enforce social distancingPolice in Singapore have taken an extraordinary step to ensure people are following social distancing rules. In a 3 1/2-month trial, police have used 22-pound pilotless drones, developed by Israel’s Airobotics, as a way to enforce social distancing and contain the spread of COVID-19, according to Reuters. Airobotics CEO Ran Krauss told Reuters the company is simply helping police maintain normal operations, specifically related to COVID-19. “The pandemic created a situation where it might be difficult for police to maintain,” Krauss said. The trial continues on in the social distancing aspect, according to Airobotics, and Krauss said the company is in talks with other cities to deploy drones.
Physicians write letter requesting masks, social distancing at Republican National Convention
Read full article: Physicians write letter requesting masks, social distancing at Republican National ConventionJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There is opposition against the Republican National Convention coming to Jacksonville in two months. Nearly 200 physicians, who are mostly from northeast Florida, wrote a letter to Mayor Lenny Curry and City Council requesting masks and social distancing at the RNC in August. The letter said it’s estimated more than 40,000 people from all over the country will attend the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena. The nearly 200 physicians who signed the letter said the Republican National Convention should be postponed. Once we do receive a copy of this letter, we will give it consideration as we do any communication that we receive.”
What to expect from the next step in DeSantis’ plan to reopen Florida
Read full article: What to expect from the next step in DeSantis’ plan to reopen FloridaRon DeSantis on Friday unveiled the next part of his plan to reopen the state as it recovers from the financial fallout of the pandemic. Below is a list of the changes we’ve compiled:RestaurantsIndoor seating at restaurants is going up to 50-percent capacity, an increase from 25-percent capacity. DeSantis gave his blessing for libraries and museums to reopen at 50-percent capacity, but he left the door open for local officials to decide when to reopen. GymsGyms can reopen at 50-percent capacity, but the governor urged people to practice social distancing and sanitize surfaces when they’re done. Professional sportsSports teams can resume training at their venues and the governor welcomed out-of-state teams to come to Florida as well.
Looming hurricane season adds to fears of compounded emergency during pandemic
Read full article: Looming hurricane season adds to fears of compounded emergency during pandemicEmergency management specialists agree the effects of a pandemic are comparable to a hurricane. The American Meteorological Society went as far as to say the coronavirus pandemic is the equivalent of the entire nation being hit with a Category 5 hurricane. But specialists are facing the fact the pandemic situation could become a double disaster as hurricane season officially starts on June 1. A double disaster could turn triple threat as forecaster expects the tropics to generate an above-average storm season. The American Meteorological Society released an official statement on the matter, saying, “Do not let the virus prevent you from seeking refuge from a tornado.
Viral video makes compelling case for social distancing
Read full article: Viral video makes compelling case for social distancingIf seeing is believing, then an ad released by the Ohio Department of Health makes one of the most compelling cases yet for social distancing. The idea behind social distancing is to avoid having close contact with everyone but our immediate families, which should slow the spread of the disease long enough to keep us from overwhelming our hospitals. On Thursday, Ohio’s health department posted a 30-second video on its Facebook page. The clip is captioned with the words: “Social distancing works. We are all #InThisTogetherOhio.”It shows what happens when a ping pong ball is dropped into a field of mouse traps and then what happens when the same demonstration is done but with the mouse traps spaced out.
Hoops removed from basketball courts at Jacksonville parks
Read full article: Hoops removed from basketball courts at Jacksonville parksRims and backboards on basketball hoops at parks throughout the city have been taken down as officials seek to keep crowds to a minimum. So far, the city has removed 10 basketball hoops because of complaints. Those include hoops at Crabtree Park in the Lakewood and hoops at Fishweir Park in Avondale. Joseph said the city will replace the hoops once parks reopen. In neighboring St. Johns County, rims at parks remain intact because officials there said the basketball courts can still be used responsibly.
Coronavirus: Experts explain how to properly social distance
Read full article: Coronavirus: Experts explain how to properly social distanceMany of us are practicing social distancing – and staying away from others, or even staying home altogether. According to Cleveland Clinic’s Matthew Faiman, M.D., it’s best to stay about six feet away from others. “Things that are like the flu, like coronavirus, that are passed by respiratory droplet - which is something airborne - the six feet rule is really where this comes into be, and that’s why the social distancing,” said Dr. Faiman. Social distancing can be beneficial during any cold and flu season – but is especially important when there’s community spread of an illness. Skipping handshakes and hugs can also reduce virus spread.
Walmart places new limits on number of shoppers allowed inside
Read full article: Walmart places new limits on number of shoppers allowed insideWalmart has begun imposing new limits on the number of customers allowed inside its stores at a time. Starting on Saturday, Walmart locations will allow no more than five customers inside for every 1,000 square feet of the building, or approximately one-fifth of the average store’s capacity. Once a store reaches capacity, incoming shoppers will only be allowed to enter when another shopper checks out and leaves. There will also be more signs installed in stores reminding shoppers to maintain a safe distance from one another. Earlier in the week, Walmart said it will begin taking workers’ temperatures at stores and warehouses before they begin their shifts.
Cameras capture crowds inside businesses despite social distancing guidelines
Read full article: Cameras capture crowds inside businesses despite social distancing guidelinesJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Cameras captured people who were not distancing themselves inside businesses deemed essential to stay open amid the coronavirus pandemic. The owners did not want to comment on camera, but they said they’re doing their best to prevent the spread of COVID-19. There is plexiglass separating cashiers from customers and employees are working to keep the grocery carts sanitized. “Taking efforts to avoid overcrowding in your store and try to maintain the social distancing and the guidelines around groups of ten or more people gathering inside your store any given time," Wallace said. In response to what News4Jax found inside the laundromat, the owner removed tables and separated chairs.
Why isn’t Jacksonville sheltering in place? And 4 other questions answered
Read full article: Why isn’t Jacksonville sheltering in place? And 4 other questions answeredJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For the fifth consecutive day, Mayor Lenny Curry held a virtual question-and-answer session Friday to discuss Jacksonville’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Curry said city staff continue to catalog complaints about employers not following the rules allowing employees to work remotely if possible. Why aren’t Jacksonville city officials issuing a shelter-in-place order? “This is important not only for business owners, but also for employees, the works of the city, the people that work here in Jacksonville,” Curry said. pic.twitter.com/DUxbDw8qGH — City of Jacksonville (COJ) (@CityofJax) March 27, 2020To view the up-to-date list of resources, visit the city’s website.
Singapore threatens 6 months in jail for breaking social distancing laws
Read full article: Singapore threatens 6 months in jail for breaking social distancing lawsSingapore has introduced new laws governing social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak that could see offenders serve six months in jail. Such notices have been issued to certain inbound travelers as well as people with respiratory conditions flagged by medical practitioners. On Wednesday, Singapore reported 73 new cases of coronavirus, its largest one-day increase in cases. Since Monday borders have been closed to all short-term visitors and travelers transiting though the city. The only exception is for Malaysians with Singapore work permits, who have been able to continue working in Singapore.
State, city leaders concerned coronavirus threat isn’t being taken seriously
Read full article: State, city leaders concerned coronavirus threat isn’t being taken seriouslyState, city leaders concerned coronavirus threat isn’t being taken seriouslyPublished: March 23, 2020, 11:50 pmAlthough the Florida Department of Health is reporting that there were more than 1,200 cases of the coronavirus in the state as of Monday evening, there is still a growing concern over people not taking the spread of the virus more seriously.
Family recreates Pirates of the Caribbean ride in house
Read full article: Family recreates Pirates of the Caribbean ride in houseSometimes you have to make your own Disney Magic at home. The Thornock family, from Utah, recreated the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in their house. During coronavirus isolation, the family chose this as a way to keep everyone busy and to ease their minds. Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirate’s life for me!
How social distancing could affect your mental health
Read full article: How social distancing could affect your mental healthSocial distancing efforts are leading to canceled weddings, sporting events, classes, and social outings to name a few. “I know for a lot of people the whole recommendation for social distancing can be a cause of lower mental state. “Don’t feel like the social distancing is making you feel isolated. Here’s my social distancing meal of the day. In addition to mental health impacts due to social distancing, Alloway said you may also be dealing with anxiety or depression due to the lack of control.
Jacksonville bans certain businesses from having more than 50 people inside
Read full article: Jacksonville bans certain businesses from having more than 50 people insideJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mayor Lenny Curry on Monday imposed new limits on the number of people allowed inside certain Jacksonville businesses at any one time, including restaurants and bars, in hopes of curbing the spread of coronavirus. Citing new federal guidelines discouraging large-scale public gatherings, the mayor issued an order banning establishments from having more than 50 customers inside at once until further notice. Curry said he also anticipates that drive-up testing will be in place at a Jacksonville site by the end of the week. Businesses react to new regulationsThe Casa Maria Restaurant on the Northside easily fills up with more than 50 customers, employees told News4Jax. Guests will be allowed, but social events, meetings and weddings will not.