Florida halts COVID-19 testing as it prepares for hurricane

[FM123]

*not feeling too safe and secure down here with DeSatan at the helm....

(Associated Press) MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Isaias’ imminent arrival forced the closure of some outdoor coronavirus testing sites Friday even as the state reached a new daily high in deaths.

Meanwhile, the virus was complicating efforts to put contingency plans in place for evacuations and shelters if the storm makes them necessary. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for all east coast counties from the Florida Keys to Jacksonville on Friday, but no evacuations had been ordered or shelters opened.

The coming weather forced officials to halt testing in Miami, which has been worst hit by the coronavirus, for at least three days because many of the sites operate outdoors, in tents. Under normal circumstances, the sites have the capacity to test hundreds of people per day.

“We had to put safety first,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said at an online news conference Friday. “We will have thousands of tests that will not be conducted until we get these test sites up and running again.” (Read More)

https://apnews.com/5e0396f6b6b02a1f254025efcc211973

[soothsayer]

1. It's a legit reason, but don't fall for great new numbers next week

[Cha]

2. Best of Good Look with Hurricane Isaias, FM!

We were just able to Dodge Hurricane Douglas.. No "complacency" here, though..

"Hawaii Battles Complacency After Another Hurricane Near-Miss"

https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2020-07-27/hurricane-douglas-within-razor-thin-distance-of-hawaii

[FM123]

6. Thank you Cha!

[Awsi Dooger]

3. This is how Gimenez is so formidable in the FL-26 race

Note the final paragraph of the OP. He's been all over the Miami airwaves yesterday and today as this storm approaches. It is no different than Rick Scott's built-in advantage against Nelson in 2018, jumping at every chance to look concerned and helpful as those hurricanes approached, plus during the aftermath.

Gimenez will simply have far greater exposure and name recognition than Mucarsel-Powell, despite her being the incumbent. The tight race is nothing to do with anything that Mucarsel-Powell has done wrong.

[gibraltar72]

4. Well that will test Trumps theory about testing causing cases.

No more cases no more deaths ammiright?

[lpbk2713]

5. The numbers will come back with a vengeance.

And the asshole will still have plans to reopen the schools.

We aint seen nuthin yet.

[malaise]

7. Be afraid

DeathSantis is a tool

[leftyladyfrommo]

8. Why do people live in Florida?

Covid 19 everywhere.
Too hot and humid summer
Alligators
Pythons
Bugs

[lpbk2713]

9. Sinkholes, rattlers, moccasins, scorpions, black widows.

It's a smorgasbord.

[leftyladyfrommo]

10. Sounds great! nt

[Awsi Dooger]

11. That's supposed to be the specialty of the other side

Making a long list of fear, on topics that don't register at all

I've lived in Florida half my life and never come across any of those things.

Florida Gator fans, now that's a legitimate concern. It is the reason there is zero chance I would ever live in Palm Beach or northward.

[lpbk2713]

13. You are very fortunate.

I have lived in Florida since 1957 and have seen them all. Including what's in Post #8. I didn't mention Florida panther, coral snake or tornado. In fact in 2004 we were in the eye of a hurricane on three different occasions in six weeks time.

[GulfCoast66]

14. Let me count the reasons:

The Gulf Coast. As my name here suggests

I like the heat. Hate cold weather. Sitting outside now.

Although most tourists never see them, we have more large springs and spring fed rivers than anywhere in the world. Beautiful.

Year round salt water fishing.

Lots of Blue cities. Not just the one or Two found in the states I grew up in.

The Gulf Coast.

A very diverse cultural mix. My wife is from Indiana. Very diverse bunch of white peoples there.

A food scene that comes with that diversity.

Growing tomatoes in December.

The knowledge that politically I’m working to make a difference. When we change Floridan from reddish purple to Blue I will feel like I’ve accomplished something.

The Gulf Coast.

I like gators. And snakes. Worst biting bugs I’ve ever seen was in Alaska.


I often wonder how people live in the upper Midwest. The weather and other things make it a no can do for me. I grew up in Louisiana. Been in Florida for 33 years. Never plan on leaving.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

17. Because I enjoy it.

I don’t mind hot weather and I enjoy the scenery and wildlife.

Isn’t that enough?

[FM123]

18. Why? I think the answer to that varies from place to place and person to person.

In South Florida where I live - the counties (Miami Dade, Broward & Palm Beach) are BLUE so that's definitely a plus and the people down here are every shade of color, which is even more of a plus. In my county alone we have a great diversity of cultures (Cuban, Jamaican, Haitian, Seminole Indian, Jewish etc etc) so it's always interesting and exciting especially the food/music/art. It's also very LGBTQ friendly, the town of Wilton Manors by Ft Lauderdale has an all LGBTQ local government! And in addition to our great senior citizens (not everyone down here is 100 years old, lol) our young people are truly our pride and joy - especially our students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas H.S. in Parkland who not only survived but thrived to go on to be great activists and role models for our country.

Sure, we have a lot of crazy down here - but what we have more of is: heart.

[ananda]

12. I'd feel sorry for Florida, but all this is..

.. just so karmic.

Remembering 2000 and all the political
shenanigans after that ....

[leftyladyfrommo]

15. Hurricanes. I forgot hurricanes. nt

[GulfCoast66]

16. Actually this is a half true.

State testing is halting in the east side of the state. But I heard on the news to night that from here in Lake County and west they will continue unless predictions change. Because it a hurricane.

But county, city and private testing will go on. Although that could change.

Many of the state tests are outside utilizing tents. That’s a bad idea in a thunderstorm more less a hurricane.