Notes from BCC meeting – live updates

Hearing new information during special meeting of Escambia County Board of County Commissioners:

• Escambia County didn’t have pandemic emergency plan for the public until county administration drafted one last weekend. – Commissioner Doug Underhill
• Dawn Rudolph, Ascension Sacred Heart: Results of Monday’s drive-thru testing will hopefully come back Sunday.
• Hospitals talking with Navy about opening Navy hospital for COVID-19 patients.
• The DOH COVID-19 dashboard isn’t accurate. Tests for Escambia not being reported correctly.
• Patients under investigation at Sacred Heart 11; Baptist 11; West Florida 17.
• Baptist CEO Mark Faulkner says the virus has already cratered our economy. The question is for how long- weeks or months.
• Faulkner concerned about Pensacola Beach being open along Gulf Coast. Bender has argued other counties are only closing public beach areas and parking lots.
• Underhill and Bender argue hotels and condos cutting occupancy to 50% voluntarily reduces risk.
• Underhill argues feds and state governments have the most info and haven’t closed their beach parks.
• Big issue is lack of test data and research. Faulkner: “We’re shining a small flashlight in a big dark room.”
• Baptist is three to five weeks away from having in-house testing due lack of equipment and testing agent.
• Dan Brown of Gulf Island Seashore Park tells BCC Sec. of Interior has instructed parks with a lot of space to stay open and has waived fees. However, also instructed to adhere to local decisions. Part of park closed in Okaloosa because its commissioners voted to close their beaches.
• Ferries have suspended operations.
• Brown concerned about parks being “swarmed” with surrounding counties closing their beaches.
• Sheriff David Morgan advises BCC to listen to health care professionals. “To think it won’t spread here borders on the ridiculous.”
• Gov. DeSantis has closed restaurant dining and alcohol consumption on premises and gyms and fitness centers immediately, according to county attorney.
• BCC has listened to public and health care professionals for 150 minutes without a vote.
• Just voted to extend state of emergency.
• Governer has also loosen Sunshine laws to allow commissioners to participate in meetings via phone. Quorum doesn’t have to be in chambers.
• New jail’s opening won’t make November target.
• Jail Chief Powell says jail has 30-day supply of masks.
• Judges have helped reduced jail population by “pushing cases thru.” Net drop 75 prisoners.
• Other transit systems are making modifications to service. Effective Monday, ECAT will limit buses to 10 passengers. Some routes will be cut, like the one to Cordova Mall. Ridership is down.
• Lifeguard says Casino Beach visitors aren’t social distancing.
• BCC votes to follow Florida Turnpike example and go cashless. Tolls will still stay in effective. Done for safety of toll workers.
• Underhill argues the Perdido Key beaches and Johnson Beach are primarily used by locals.
• Bergosh: “We’re all in quicksand right now.” He says he will support closing beaches.
• May says his top priority is public safety. Calling it a tough decision, he says, “I can’t regain lives but we can regain income.” He will vote to close.
• Looks like ban will start midnight tonight and last two weeks. But could be extended.
• Public beach areas, restrooms and parking closed, 5-0 vote