There are 300 additional Covid-19 test kits in route to Okaloosa County. They are expected to arrive Monday or Tuesday and will be received by the health department. The health department will make decisions on distributing those tests to our community health partners. These are coming from State Emergency Management and judging by the fact that Okaloosa County is the only jurisdiction in the western panhandle receiving an allocation in this shipment, I would expect they will be shared regionally as needed.
Masks:
There was an email and news article circulating indicating that Okaloosa County EMS was short on disposable masks for use by EMS personnel. I am happy to report that this is not the case, at least not yet. As we are under a state of emergency, requests for supplies from other entities within the County are funneled through our Emergency Management Department and several other entities, including local fire departments, have requested masks for their medical personnel. Based upon these requests to the state, I am able to report that 500 masks are in route for delivery to the Ocean City-Wright Fire Department. Of course, if you are sitting on a surplus of surgical or N-95 masks, our emergency management folks will accept them gratefully.
Beaches:
Regarding Okaloosa County Beaches, anecdotal information I received this weekend indicated that the beach closure was largely starting to take hold, though as of Saturday mid-day there were some indications of discrepancy in activity levels at different points on the beach. Destin did vote to close ALL beaches on Friday and I would expect that action to help spread the word that, for the moment, non-essential travel should be avoided, even for a beach vacation.
Special Meeting:
The Commission will hold a special meeting at 8:30 am on Tuesday morning at the Shalimar Administration Building. The focus will be on Covid-19 preparedness and response. We will be renewing the Emergency Declaration, as it has to be renewed every seven days.
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Crystal’s Corner: Grandparent’s Edition
This photo makes me want to smile and cry at the same time. In February, Beau welcomed his grandparents and great-grandmother into his school for a special grandparent’s day celebration. Fast forward not even two months later and we’re now setting up to learn from home because school is closed, and we dare not go visit these loved ones except at a distance in the sunshine. How badly we took for granted the nights the kids could sleep over or the times we all could cook a meal together in the kitchen. We miss these dear people but are keeping our distance out of love and respect. The kids don’t fully understand the depth of the situation, and we’re trying to keep it as positive as possible. But when your parents are discussing hard decisions that will impact an entire county and running a small business that is rapidly facing new and unexpected challenges, discussions around the house, the house you’re all stuck in together, are suddenly not all sunshine and rainbows.
This week, many of us will be attempting to find a temporary normal. Our normal will include much of your normal – teaching kids, trying to manage fears and uncertainly while keeping a strong and happy face for children, family and employees, making hard decisions about business operations (and praying everyone stays healthy), and just getting through this. Which we’ll do. We’re used to a high-paced hustle and bustle, so time is about to feel like it is crawling. But, how many times have we said “I just wish time would slow down?” Well…it has and now I’m regretting ever saying that! And golly, I wish I could be four years-old right about now, like Quinn (almost). Pondering my next playtime activity sounds much nicer than dealing with reality. But, this too shall pass. Good luck this week, God bless and stay healthy.
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Sincerely,
Nathan Boyles
Your Okaloosa County Commissioner
District 3
850-689-5030
nboyles@myokaloosa.com
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I always welcome your feedback with regard to any topic which appears in these updates or on any other County matter. However, please be sure to direct any correspondence related to County business to my County email address (nboyles@myokaloosa.com). All such correspondence shall be considered a public record pursuant to Florida’s open records laws. Any views or opinions expressed in this Newsletter are mine alone and do not necessarily represent the official position of the County Commission or the views or opinions of any other Commissioner. This Newsletter is not an official record or transcript of the matters presented to, or the decisions made by the Commission and should not be relied upon as such.
Until the conclusion of the 2020 election cycle, this newsletter, though not intended to be a political advertisement, will include the statutorily required campaign disclosure…
Political advertisement paid for and approved by Nathan D. Boyles, Republican for Okaloosa County Commission.
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