Meet Our New Senate President

Senator Wilton E. Simpson of District 10 was unanimously elected President of the Florida Senate for the 2020-2022 Legislative Term on Tuesday.

“None of us who were here last Session could have predicted what we’re facing today.  Fortunately, Florida is more prepared than most other states.  Over the last several years, we voted many times to set aside money to prepare for a rainy day.  It will help a lot, but to be clear, it will not solve our problems.  We cannot fix our situation by simply spending down our savings account.  We need to make structural changes to the budget,” President Simpson said in his acceptance speech to the Senate Chamber.

President Simpson was nominated by President Pro Tempore Aaron Bean.  The nomination was seconded by Senator Keith Perry. 

President Simpson was first elected to the state Senate in 2012, and reelected subsequently. He has served as chair of many committees and also served as the Senate Majority Leader from 2016-2018.

In his private life, President Simpson owns and operates several businesses, including Simpson Farms, an egg farm located in Trilby, Florida. 

Video of Tuesday’s session, including acceptance speeches by President Simpson and President Pro Tempore Bean can be found via the Florida Channel at www.TheFloridaChannel.org.

2020 Organizational Session & COVID-19 Protocol

The Florida Senate partnered with Tampa General Hospital to develop a plan to safely conduct business in the Florida Senate Chamber.

The TGH Prevention Response Outreach Team and Infection Disease physicians from the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine developed recommendations to help lawmakers safely convene during Organizational Session and prevent the spread of COVID-19.   

The protocols implemented on Tuesday only applied to the Organizational Session.  Protocols will be updated to reflect the latest data and information available regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and customized for future legislative activities such as committee hearings and annual legislative session.

All senators, staff, family members and special guests were required to follow CDC guidelines, wear a face covering and avoid close contact with other individuals.

Before meeting on Tuesday, the Florida Senate had to comply with the following:

• Every Senator was tested for COVID-19 by Monday, November 16.
• Only newly elected Senators were allowed to bring a spouse or guest on the Senate Floor. 
• District staff were not approved for travel to Organizational Session. 
• Senate Floor desks were socially distanced.
• Portable HEPA filters were installed in the  Senate Chamber.
• Both galleries overlooking the Senate Chamber were limited to 15-20 people.
• Temperature checks were administered for all Senators, floor guests and staff accessing the Senate Floor. 

Both the Department of Health and Division of Emergency Management have helped implement the protocols.

The Florida Senate is now focused on developing protocols for the upcoming interim committee meetings and the regular 2021 legislative session that begins March 2. 

COVID-19 Update: Florida Hospitalizations & Case Data

As of November 23, there have been 938,414 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), including 16,864 in Collier County, 28,115 in Lee County and 2,431 in Hendry County.  

As of Friday, November 20, the state's positivity rate for new cases is 7.64%.

Data reported to the Florida Department of Health (DOH) shows there has been a steady decline in the number of reported Florida resident deaths who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19. 

To find the most up-to-date information and guidance, you can visit DOH's COVID-19 webpage.

For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website.

If you are experiencing symptoms, please contact your local County Health Department.   

Prioritize Your Health While Traveling This Thanksgiving

Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19.  If you plan to travel this holiday season, the CDC recommends the following steps to best protect yourself and others:

• Check travel restrictions before you go.
• Get your flu shot before you travel.
• Always wear a mask in public settings and on public transportation.
• Stay at least 6 feet apart from anyone who is not in your household.
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your mask, eyes, nose and mouth.
• Bring extra supplies, such as masks and hand sanitizer.

Planning Tips for A Safe & Healthy Thanksgiving Holiday

If you are hosting a Thanksgiving meal this year and plan on inviting guests to your home, be sure that people follow CDC guidelines.  Here are some steps to make your celebration safer:

• Have a small outdoor meal with family and friends who live in your community.
• Limit the number of guests.
• Have conversations with guests ahead of time to set expectations for celebrating together.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items between use.
• If celebrating indoors, make sure to open windows.
• Limit the number of people in food preparation areas.
• Have guests bring their own food and drink.
• If sharing food, have one person serve food and use single-use options, like plastic utensils.

If you plan to attend a Thanksgiving gathering, the CDC recommends the following additional steps to take to ensure safety:

• Bring your own food, drinks, plates, cups and utensils.
• Wear a mask, and safely store your mask while eating and drinking.
• Avoid going in and out of the areas where food is being prepared or handled, such as in the kitchen.

Strides Made in COVID-19 Vaccine & Treatment Trials

Two vaccine candidates developed in the United States have proven more than 90% effective during trials.

The vaccine candidate from Pfizer and BioNTech has been found to be 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 in participants without evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.  Submission of the vaccine candidate, BNT162b2, for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is planned after the required safety milestone, possibly in the third week of November.  The clinical trial will continue through to final analysis at 164 confirmed cases in order to collect further data and characterize the vaccine candidate’s performance against other study endpoints.  Read more about Pfizer and BioNTech's progress here.

New analysis from a clinical trial finds Moderna's Coronavirus Vaccine to be nearly 95% effective.  Moderna said it intends to file a request with the FDA in the coming weeks for authorization of the company's vaccine for emergency use.  Moderna has been developing this vaccine alongside the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases.  Read more on Moderna's efforts here.

Eli Lilly and Company announced on November 9 that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorization for their neutralizing antibody, bamlanivimab (LY-CoV555).  This antibody will serve as a treatment for mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older and those high-risk of progressing to severe COVID-19 symptoms or hospitalization.  Read more about Eli Lilly Company's approved antibody treatment here.

Lee County Offering Free COVID-19 Rapid Tests

The Florida Division of Emergency Management COVID-19 Testing Site at CenturyLink Sports Complex began offering free rapid-results antigen tests since October 24.

The rapid-results antigen tests are available at no cost to individuals of any age, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, at 14100 Six Mile Cypress Parkway in Ft. Myers.

No appointment is necessary but pre-registration is recommended and available at the Curative website.  A government-issued ID is required. Curative will provide results within one hour via text or email.

Thanksgiving Dinner for LaBelle Residents in Need

Beck Companies has planned a Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate at the LaBelle Civic Center at 481 W. Hickpochee Avenue on Thanksgiving Day. 

Turkey dinners will be plated and served by the Beck family and volunteers from Beck Companies on Thursday, Nov. 26, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. (or until food runs out). 

For more information on the event, Beck Companies can be reached at 239-789-5235.

Collier County Offers Ability to Text 911 Dispatchers

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is the first public law enforcement agency in Florida to provide the community with the ability to text photos and videos to 911 dispatchers.

When someone uses a cell phone to call 911 or their non-emergency number, 239-252-9300, they can directly send photos and videos of suspects, suspicious vehicles or emergency scenes to dispatchers.  Those images can then be sent to first responders for assistance.

In 2014, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office also was the first agency in Florida to provide text-to-911 service to its community.