Category: COVID-19

September

Debbie Roney Smith on

Where did August go? Here we are in the first month of fall already and we for sure do not have the cooler days happening yet. We are up to N for named hurricanes of the season, COVID is still going on and masks are the new normal. Now is the time to buy a house for sure! School has started for the new year and Marianna has opened the doors of the new K-8 school. Restaurants are opening up more, movie theaters are starting to open although the one in Marianna is still closed. Salad bars are making a come back. They have mostly been closed since March even if the restaurant has opened. The Ruby Tuesdays in Marianna has a sign hanging on the fence saying in door seating and salad bar now available. Long lines at Dunkin Donuts and gas stations show things are getting busier again. The election is 2 months away. If you haven’t changed your address or registered to vote do it now!

 

PLEASE if you are going to wear a mask do it correctly. Covering your nose and mouth and not taking it off to rub your face with your hand.

 

Sept 1st~virtual lighthouse climb

Debbie Roney Smith on

If you’ve never participated in a Full Moon Climb at the Saint George Island Lighthouse and Museum, tonight is your chance. They are giving a full moon climb virtually on Facebook. Be sure to join them at 7:45 pm, tonight, September 1st. 

Virtual sunset/full moon climb – Tuesday, 9/1 from 7:45pm-8:15pm (weather permitting – if it’s not too cloudy or rainy) they’ll be going live from the top of the lighthouse for a virtual sunset/full moon climb. They hope you’ll join them on Facebook to view the Corn Moon. The September full moon in 2020 is called the Corn Moon because Native American tribes began harvesting their staple foods, such as corn, at this time. Full Moon names are attributable to native American tribes, most notably the Algonquin, who named the moons to mark the changing seasons.

Click this link to go to the FB page for them to watch it live! https://www.facebook.com/St.GeorgeIslandLighthouse

Earth Overshoot Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Have you heard of Earth Overshoot Day? It is the point where scientists say humanity has used all the ecological resources the planet can regenerate in 12 months. It’s like trying to pay a bill before your paycheck has hit your bank account – not only does the bill not get paid but you end up with a fee from the bank, therefore losing out on some of your paycheck. This date changes year to year as humanity’s consumption rate does.

This year’s Earth Overshoot Day was predicted to be August 22nd by the Global Footprint Network (the group that calculates the annual Overshoot date) – however, the 22nd expected date has been pushed back! Some might think this is good news, but the reality of the situation is much bleaker. The pandemic has created situations that reduced the estimated consumption rate but at the cost of hundreds of thousands of lives. Additionally, despite how COVID-19 has pushed back the Overshoot date three weeks, the Global Footprint Network still estimates that humanity has exceeded the Earth’s ability to provide by 56%.

For more in depth information, check out the following website https://www.overshootday.org/about-earth-overshoot-day/

Laser Show

Debbie Roney Smith on
Cabin Fever Drive-in Laser Show! September 3rd, 4th and 5th 2020 to the Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan, Alabama!
Got Cabin Fever? Avoid the crowds, keep the family safe! Pile up into the safety of your own vehicle and head out for the fantastic Drive-in Cabin Fever Laser Show! 3 action packed mind blowing shows per night! The family friendly Laser Shows include the latest Musical hits, Mind Blowing lasers and fantastic Graphic Effects!
Make it a great romantic evening out or family friendly outing! This is an event for all ages! Tickets start at only $20 per car load! Get them before we sell out!
This is a Drive-in Laser Show intended to offer safety and social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, they ask that you remain in or around your vehicle during the duration of the show. Tickets must be purchased in advance. They will not be taking cash or payment at the gate DUE TO COVID-19 precautions. Also take your own food and drinks since no vendors will be there.

Jackson County COVID-19 testing now 7 days a week

Debbie Roney Smith on
The Florida Department of Emergency Management (DEM) has opened a COVID-19 testing location in Jackson County. The local County Health Department will be discontinuing their routinely scheduled testing.
This Marianna location will offer 7-day a week testing availability between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
-The site is in parking lot of the Dollar General located at 4264 Lafayette St in Marianna.
-Testing consists of a shallow nasal self-swab. This means the patient will swab their own nose under the supervision of the technician.
-No appointment is necessary
-There is no cost to the individual
-Individuals wishing to be tested must be age 18 or older.
-Negative results will be notified by the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 call center and positive results be notified by local County Health Department staff.

Open House schedule for Jackson County

Debbie Roney Smith on

Jackson County School District has released open house dates for the 2020-2021 school year. They strongly encourage everyone to wear masks to the open house and stay home if they are sick.

Once school is in session, August 24, the mandatory mask on buses and in class changes (6-12 for class changes) will be enforced.

Masks not mandatory in Jackson County/Buying masks

Debbie Roney Smith on

At Tuesday’s city commission special meeting three of the five members of the city commission voted for the mask mandate, but since it was an emergency ordinance during a special meeting, it required a four-vote majority. So masks are not required in Jackson County.

Mayor Travis Ephriam said he felt like the city commission needed to at least discuss the ideas of a mask mandate due to the COVID-19 cases in Jackson County. Ephriam voted in favor of the mask ordinance because he said he cares about the health and safety of the residents. “I think we have to do everything we can to protect not just our residents, but also our workers in the healthcare field,” Ephriam said. “Without a mask ordinance, I don’t think we can say we’re doing everything that we could.” Even though the mask mandate did not pass at Tuesday’s meeting, Ephriam said it’s still a possibility that it could get brought up again in the future.

At the start of the meeting, the Florida Department of Health in Jackson County released the latest information about COVID-19 cases in the area. According to the Florida Department of Health, there are 1,936 positive cases of COVID-19 and 41 deaths in the county due to the coronavirus.

However many businesses are requiring masks for you to shop. It is like the no shoes no shirt no service signs you have all seen for years.

A client (now friend) is selling masks for $5 each. Shipping is $2 for every 2.All have pockets for you to add another layer of protection and are washable so you can reuse. Below are a few photos of masks she has on hand. Bonnie can also do contactless delivery in Marianna. Her email is Thombk70@gmail.com.

 

 

COVID-19 testing sites open in Bay County

Debbie Roney Smith on

The first of three testing sites opened at the Lynn Haven Sports Park on Thursday, July 30 at 10 a.m. The second opened Monday, August 3 at 7 a.m. at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach. The third site will be in Callaway. Those details are still being finalized.

The three testing sites were by appointment only but are now excepting walk ups. They suggest for a low wait time and no appointment you should go in the early afternoon.  Each site will test up to 500 people per day for the Coronavirus COVID-19. Results are expected to be returned in 48 hours or less by an online portal or by phone.

As of now, officials say only adults 18 and over can be tested. They say they are working to offer the testing to minors as soon as possible. The hours of operation for each testing site will be: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Marianna and Graceville library are reopening today

Debbie Roney Smith on
The Jackson County Public Library in Marianna and Graceville are re-opening their doors today, August 3, 2020. Marianna will open at 9:00 a.m. with Graceville opening their doors at 10:00 a.m. They will both close daily at 5:00 to allow staff to thoroughly sanitize the facilities.
They have arranged the computers and furniture to allow for safe distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines. They are strongly recommending and encouraging masks and they will be available at the library as will hand sanitizer. The children’s room is not open for children to visit, it is recommended for their safety that children stay close to their parents while visiting the library.
At the present time, internet service is unavailable, but repairs are underway and we are very hopeful that service will be restored sometime next week. *Checkout is limited to five items per valid card. DVDs are limited to 5 per family. Launchpad checkout is limited to one per card.
Curbside service is still available at both locations for those who need it. You must fill a form out online 24 hours in advance. The link for the library is http://jcplfl.org/?fbclid=IwAR1_SzYMBiJ-xgr-S191pIMvNV8z2b11jROx_1a_H4UEok6VyBKOCSgeypk

Covid-19~phone number the health department will be calling from

Debbie Roney Smith on

The Florida Department of Health is urging all Floridians to answer calls from (833) 917-2880 as this is part of Florida’s comprehensive contact tracing effort. If you receive a call from this number they are saying it is important that you speak to a contact tracer regarding potential COVID-19 exposure.

The newest catch phrase seems to be remember the 3 C’s. Avoid close spaces, crowded-spaces, and close-contact situations. And as always wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water, cough into your elbow, and don’t go into public if possible while you are sick.