I am pleased to report that a group of more than 20 business executives, medical professionals and neighborhoods leaders that I assembled has completed a report on how reopening Fort Lauderdale and has submitted it to the City Commission.
The report reflects the best ideas on how our community can begin to recover from the recent wave of COVID-19 infections and deaths. While we all are anxious to return to work and get back to those activities we so enjoy, we must do so in a phased, cautious fashion in order to avoid any rebound in the virus that would cause a return to the existing stay-at-home policies.
As such, the working group I headed offered a measured approach. Their goal was to draw up a plan that adhered to the guidelines put out by the White House and Centers for Disease Control.
The big question on everyone’s mind is when this will occur. We are getting close, but don’t have a set date yet.
The White House-CDC guidelines established five guidelines for a community to move to reopening. We have met the four health-related criteria, which relate to a general decline in the virus spread and signs of its symptoms. However, we have yet to meet the criteria that calls for widespread testing. We are getting close to achieving that.
I look forward to a discussion Tuesday with my colleagues on the City Commission regarding how we should conduct this Phase One reopening. We are also in conversations with Broward County, the other cities in Broward and our neighboring communities of Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Monroe counties to attempt to create a uniform approach.
A unified approach would lessen the confusion for businesses and consumers and provide consistency and stability for the public. However, I also want to ensure our local preferences and needs are the most important consideration in our city’s decisions.
Please take a moment and read through the full report below.
We all look forward to that day very soon when we can walk on the beach, get in our pool, take our boat out, enjoy a meal at our favorite restaurant or simply return to work so we can provide for our families. You have my assurance that we are making these decisions based on science and not political expediency.
Sincerely,
Dean
