LETTER TO THE EDITOR
July 10, 2020
Special MEETING afterword: Cedar Key, our divisiveness is showing
Last Tuesday's special meeting was to consider how to keep preserving our freedom from a spike here of covid infection. We have gone through 4 1/2 months with only 1 case, pretty amazing when you look elsewhere in Florida and in the majority of states. So the question is how do we keep that streak going?
For much of that time we closed the town , the most protective tactic, but one that stops normal life. Since Memorial Day with the town open again, we have a very different situation - a pretty robust vacation season. Our visitors are from places that are seeing infections spike and are grateful to be away from all the stress that brings. That brings more reason to understand what risks it brings and to adapt how we operate.
Cedar Key as an island community has always looked to take care of itself, facing hazards together. Watermen did search and rescue on the water and still do when needed. We have a volunteer fire department that saved the school from losing more than the one building where it started. We tick all the boxes with Hurricane prep and evacuation. The flooding that came with Hermine brought people from all over North Florida to help. Many with family or just good memories gave their time to make things right.
I hope I am one of many that want to face this crisis together, to help every one be safe. As one of the most developed countries in the world the US has a great medical profession that is still learning about this virus. It has only a few precautions to recommend. We lack the most effective tools : easy access to testing with fast results and contact tracing. But they have three effective steps anyone can do: keep 6 ft. apart, wash your hands, wear a mask. Why would we throw away the recommendations that have worked in many places worldwide?
I believe everyone has the right to choose what risks they want to live with. I don't think anyone has the right to impose them on others in public spaces. Come on Cedar Key we can come together on this.
Maggi Funchion
Anne Miller
Sally Beveridge
Patty Jett
Kay Probst
Jerri Treat
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