Evidence, as in empirical evidence? Seeing with my own eyes. Speaking with neighbors. Seeing neighbors that I know have their second home arriving, unloading lots of stuff. Speaking with folks at the Freeport Publix talking about people that are driving up from South Walton to shop because the 98 and WaterColor Publix are out of items. As for what do I suggest? Perhaps the county Emergency Management Services can at least discuss having checkpoints at major entrance roads to the county to test people. By the numbers above, 2 out of the 4 known cases are non-residents. Which by the way, sensationalist news reporters would report it as "50% of cases in Walton County are tourists!!!". @leeboy, are you a full time Walton County resident? And what would you suggest to do so as to prevent non-residents consuming resources, groceries and health care?
It really is. I walked through Seaside last night and it was like a ghost town. Eerily quiet. Current situation aside, it was wonderful..
Walton County Emergency Management March 22 This is the guidance on testing. The expanded criteria allows for the doctors to test anyone they feel should be tested that do not meet the basic criteria. Link to PDF - https://www.co.walton.fl.us/DocumentCenter/View/38031/ Basic Criteria If the patient is exhibiting symptoms and meets at least one (1) of the 6 criteria in the image, they are a candidate for testing. Expanded Criteria If they do not meet the above, there is an expanded criteria that testing may occur based on the clinician's judgement.
Shouldn’t you be home Ty? Sounds like you are part of the problem that has so many people worked up .
SWFD "We continue to stay at work for you, you should stay at home for us." A friendly reminder from your South Walton Fire District personnel who are asking you all to help flatten the curve by practicing social distancing measures. Help us help you. #swfdpride #swfdstrong #flattenthecurve #helpushelpyou
So leeboy and beach What if he is a Seaside resident/homeowner? Are you guys saying he shouldnt be allowed to walk around his neighborhood? Its ok if you are a BFO to carry on business as usual but no one else?
i do feel anyone should be allowed to do as they please and be mindful of others. Meaning, keep your distance. The attitude I’m seeing from self proclaimed locals making posts on this site and others is that they seem to believe they somehow have different rights than anyone else. It’s quite deplorable behavior saying “2nd homeowners” don’t have the right to use their property, complaining that beachfront homeowners don’t have the right to use their own yard and then blaming tourists for “causing bare shelves at Publix.” I work in the supply chain business and can tell you that the forecasts for a grocery store happens a year or more out and while it can and does change, the forecasts are typically locked in about 2 weeks out. The fact our local Publix stores have the product they have is largely due to the anticipated heavy demand from the spring break crowd. Now that people have left what you are seeing is most likely largely caused by the locals - just like in every other town but probably a little less of an impact because there was already more demand anticipated. Why are BFO’s being called out? The sand nor anyone else walking on the beach and staying apart from those they aren’t already currently domiciled with Isn’t anyone’s business. Sounds like sour grapes to me. Everyone was in an uproar to close the beaches, then they closed, now there are people complaining that THEY can’t walk on the beach but the homeowners still can. Yes they can. It’s their yard. Nobody is keeping anyone one from walking around in their yard or neighborhood. At the end of the day it is the individuals responsibility to do the right thing and maintain distance. Rant over...
why are they held in low regard? From what I’ve read it seems like loads of locals don’t seem too friendly either. But maybe they are all beachfront homeowners.
I, too, work in the supply chain and this was/could not be in any forecast. While "beach stores" do get extra product during "season", when the needs are nationwide, resources have to be evenly distributed and they are at the mercy of their distribution centers.Meaning that the 8 pallets of bottled water you were supposed to get just got cut to 3 because stores in lower Alabama were out. The reason the stores around here finally have some product is because the visitors that were panic buying when they heard stores back home were out, have gone home. Yea I know that is what happened because I spoke to several people that told me that. I had one couple from GA. tell me they specifically drove down here to buy stuff and hit every Walmart and Publix on the way. Plus the fact that you could see it in the parking lots by the out of state tags.
I wish the administrators would move the "discussions" to the other thread. Lets keep this one sanitized.
I don't see how you can deny anyone access who owns a home here. With that said, some might learn the hard way that this area has way fewer medical resources than they might expect. Relatively few specialists, primary care providers (the ones not looking to dole out hormones and other offbeat remedies for cash, anyway) with patient panels bursting at the seams and a challenge keeping support staff due to relatively low wages. Hospital beds? Challenging to get one sometimes when the snowbirds are here due to their propensity to get ill from whatever chronic diseases they have, and that is during routine influenza season. If I was a second homeowner down here, living in Atlanta/Louisville/Memphis/Nashville or wherever, I would stay put up there as the medical access odds are much more in your favor in those big cities.
I saw a report yesterday where we have only 11 ICU beds - 10 at Sacred Heart and one in DeFuniak. Probably very few ventilators.
Morning. Any info on whether or not the boat ramps are still open, such as Pt Washington? And if open, any talk as to them possibly closing?
March 23 Based on the most recent Florida DOH Update, given at 10:00 am CST, Walton County has 1 additional positive case of COVID-19 and now stands at 5.
I haven't seen anything on that. County parks may close but I hope ramps stay open so folks can get out on the water.