Mounting Pressure

May 12, 2020



 







Mounting Pressure

Throughout the shelter in place phase of the Covid-19 Pandemic lockdown here in Key West, things have remained rather static for the better part of the nearly two months that we have been basically shut down, but as time moves on, the pressure is mounting to reopen and try and get things back to “normal”. This in spite of the fact that the virus has continued its rampage and the numbers both throughout the country and locally have continued to rise.





 

Jack

As of today there are 1,346,177 confirmed cases in the United States and 80, 354 deaths, both figures continuing their upward trajectory with little abatement. Here in Monroe County, the numbers are on the rise as well, after a brief respite as we currently have 95 confirmed cases with 39 here in Key West and holding at 3 deaths here. This in spite of the lockdown and roadblock check points that have been turning non-residents away at the entrance to the Keys on US 1 and Card Sound Road.

 







But this week, Governor Ron DeSantis, following the lead of President Trump has begun the phased reopening of the state, including the Keys by allowing restaurants to reopen partially and beginning to ease restrictions on various other businesses as well. The phased reopening has not gone so smoothly here as some places have had trouble adhering to the guidelines including crowd limitations, social distancing and requiring masks to be worn while customers are there. In fact the manager of the Smoking Tuna restaurant and bar had to issue a public apology after photos surfaced of a packed crowd and none of the guidelines being followed.

 







It is a tough situation to be sure as the pressure is building as each day passes with a large percentage of businesses and their employees continue to go without the much needed funds that they depend on from both locals and the tourist trade. I really sympathize with them, but personally feel it is too soon to open the floodgates. I state this knowing that it means that even more local businesses are doomed to go out of business altogether.



 





It has already started here as a number of local establishments have closed their doors forever as the tragic consequences of the pandemic are starting to really take a permanent toll on the economic health of the community. Among the businesses that have shuttered are favorites like the Coffee Plantation, Kojin Noodle Bar, Loose Cannon Bar, Lucy’s Retired Surfer Bar, Turtle Kraals, Fresh Produce and more. With this certainly just being the first round of more closings to come. Small independent, family owned establishments are especially vulnerable and it is incredibly sad to hear of new closings almost daily. 









Kathy and I took a long walk around the island this week, checking out the few places that were reopened, with varying degrees of success and mourning the loss of so many places. The number of vacant storefronts on Duval Street is growing each day and it is a truly sad and tragic time. I totally understand why desperate business owners are pressing to reopen. 

 









The thing that really irks me though is how the topic of reopening has like so many other things in our society has become so political. The us against them mentality seems to permeate the discussion with those in favor of reopening cast as greedy, uncaring villains and those interested in keeping things in lockdown mode as non-patriotic scardy cats who want to bankrupt the country. This is of course reinforced by those in authority and the media coverage and it seems that it has taken all sensible discussion off the table altogether, it is either all or nothing and you must choose a side. 



 





I think these feelings and the battle lines are only going to intensify and get worse before they get better and it scares me tremendously because common sense and compromise seem so impossible to those dug in to their beliefs. I fall on the side of putting the safety and health of our country and its people first. I believe in and listen to science and feel like the only way to truly defeat the virus is through following the recommendations of scientist who know the most about viruses. 







 



This isn’t to say that I do not empathize and feel for those who are being crushed economically by the situation. I fully support the gradual and safe reopening of the economy if we actually have the testing capacity, contract tracing and guidelines that people actually follow as we move forward. This doesn’t have to be all or nothing, now is when we really need to come together and look out for everyone’s interest as best we can.