On Tuesday, July 21, Collier County commissioners voted 3-2 in support of a requirement for masks to be worn in public places. The requirement is effective immediately. 

The Emergency Order requires masks to be worn in businesses, non-profits and government buildings, with a few exceptions for customers to remove masks while eating or drinking inside a restaurant.  Individuals who have a disability that prevents them from wearing a mask are not required to comply, and businesses should make reasonable accommodations to serve and support these customers. 

The goal is to curb the spread of COVID-19 in our region. 

Collier County joins more than a dozen other counties throughout our state in requiring masks to be worn in public, including Broward, Gadsden, Hillsborough, Indian River, Leon, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco and Pinellas counties.  Thirty states across the nation, such as Alabama, Arkansas, Ohio and Texas, require masks statewide for individuals in public places. 

Also on Tuesday, President Donald J. Trump hosted a press briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic and the federal response.  He said that the crisis we're facing will probably get worse before it gets better.  During the briefing, he also encouraged Americans to wear masks because they can help in prevent the spread of the virus. 

Ultimately, I believe it is our personal responsibility to prevent the spread of coronavirus in our communities.  We know that masks are effective in preventing the spread of the virus.  I choose to wear a mask to protect myself and others when I'm in public places, and I encourage you to do the same.

Florida has recorded a seven-day average of more than 10,000 new COVID-19 cases each day.  Hospitalizations are increasing.  I care for our state, for our communities and for each and every one of you. Please do your part to help prevent further spread of COVID-19. 

Confirmed Cases of COVID-19

As of Thursday, July 23, there are 385,091 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) reported in the state of Florida, including 8,401 in Collier County, 13,768 in Lee County and 1,451 in Hendry County.  There are now more than 4 million cases across the United States and more than 15 million worldwide. 

Here are additional resources from the state and federal level: 

• To find the most up-to-date information and guidance, you can visit the Florida Department of Health’s (DOH) 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.    

Click the button below to view Florida Health's Data and Surveillance Dashboard for Florida-specific data, including County-by-County cases.  

Collier County Emergency Order Requiring Face Coverings

On Tuesday, July 21, the Collier County Commission approved an Emergency Order requiring face coverings on all owners, operators, employees and customers in business establishments.

The order provides for a few exceptions, including: 

• Customers eating while seated at a table;
• Customers drinking while seated at a table;
• Individuals exercising in gyms where six feet of space is provided from others;
• Customers at barber shops and beauty salons where the face covering may interfere with services; and
• Guests of hotels and lodging when inside the lodging unit.

In addition, individuals with disabilities that prevent them from wearing masks are not required to comply.

The requirements are expected to be enforced by the business owner and its employees.  Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $500.

President Trump's Briefing on Coronavirus

On Tuesday, July 21, President Donald J. Trump briefed the media on the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to prevent further spread. He issued a warning to Americans:

"It will probably, unfortunately, get worse before it gets better — something I don’t like saying about things, but that’s the way it is," said President Trump.  "It’s the way — it’s what we have.  If you look over the world, it’s all over the world, and it tends to do that."

President Trump also offered hope for the future. 

"The governors are working very, very hard, and we are supporting them 100 percent.  Everything they need, they get.  And we are taking good care.  We have tremendous supplies and a great supply chain, whether it’s ventilators or gowns or just about anything they need.  So that’s a big difference from inheriting very, very empty cupboards."

A Vaccine Progress Report

The most important objective to bring an end to the COVID-19 pandemic is to develop and distribute a safe and effective vaccine.  I recently came across this editorial in the Wall Street Journal, which provides a comprehensive update about the vaccines in development, early results from their trials and the plans for mass production to protect Americans.  The editorial says: 

"On Wednesday the Trump Administration announced a $1.95 billion advance order for 100 million doses of a promising vaccine candidate by Pfizer and Germany-based BioNTech that could be available by the end of the year.  Dare to dream.  The drug makers plan to begin the final phase of their clinical trials this month and seek regulatory approval as soon as October.

"The Administration’s Operation Warp Speed is accelerating vaccine development as well as the manufacturing of ingredients and equipment with the aim of delivering 300 million doses by January 2021.  That’s an ambitious target, but the Administration is placing several bets with vaccine makers with the hope that at least one or two will pay off.

"Evidence from early-stage clinical trials so far has been promising. Pfizer and BioNTech this month reported preliminary results from 45 volunteers showing that their mRNA vaccine candidate generated levels of neutralizing antibodies 1.8- to 2.8-times higher than those in recovered patients. The vaccine programs cells to produce a viral protein that stimulates an immune response."

Learn more by reading the editorial in the Wall Street Journal. 

The Florida Department of Health remains the best and most up-to-date resource for information and guidance regarding COVID-19 in our state.

Florida Department of Health (DOH)

• http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19
• https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/
• COVID-19 Confirmed Cases Dashboard: https://arcg.is/0Hfi5O 
• COVID-19 Call Center: 1-866-779-6121
• Email: COVID-19@flhealth.gov 
• Twitter: @HealthyFla

Local County Health Department Offices

Collier County 

• Immokalee Office: 239-252-7300
• Naples Main Office: 239-252-8200

Hendry County

• Clewiston: 863-983-1408
• LaBelle: 863-674-4041

Lee County 

• Main Office - Michigan Clinic: 239-332-9501
• Pondella Clinic: 239-461-6100 (for appointment)
• WIC - Bonita Springs: 239-344-2000 (for appointment)
• WIC - Lehigh Acres: 239-344-2000 (for appointment)

Emergency 

• Dial 911
• Emergency Hotline: 311 or 239-252-8444 
• City of Naples Emergency Services: 239-213-4844
• American Red Cross: 239-596-6868

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• CDC COVID-19 Homepage
• Frequently Asked Questions

White House National Updates

• coronavirus.gov

World Health Organization (WHO)

• https://www.who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/novel-coronavirus
• https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

You can find all this information and more resources on my website. 

I urge you to wear a mask, continue to social distance and follow CDC guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.  I will keep my constituents updated as we continue to learn more.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can ever be of assistance.
 
Sincerely,

Kathleen C. Passidomo

Senate Majority Leader
State Senator, District 28

Not paid for at taxpayer expense.

Paid political advertisement paid for by Working Together for Florida P.C., 133 South Harbor Drive, Venice, FL 34285.