Coronavirus Update: My Call to Action

Here to serve in troubled times

Dear Friends of District 8,

Our community is facing an unprecedented challenge. We are in uncharted waters as we confront not only a public health crisis but an economic one that is causing deep pain for our families.

And as we watch the number of coronavirus cases grow exponentially, and continue to learn from the experiences of other countries, cities and states, we are not yet taking the extreme measures needed to protect our community. Instead, we have a piecemeal response as cities across the County begin to act on their own.

I believe that County leadership must take several immediate steps to proactively respond and prepare our community. That's why this week I sent Mayor Gimenez a letter requesting several urgent actions, including:

Implementing shelter-in-place countywide – the only measure advised by medical experts to cope with this crisis
Moving to Emergency Operations level 1 activation in line with the state and federal government
Coordinating a county medical response and supply inventory
Rapidly expanding drive-through testing
Coordinating a response to the economic crisis engulfing our families.

I appreciate the Mayor's work to increase drive-through testing and create temporary shelter along with other emergency responses. However, he has stated that a shelter-in-place order and Emergency Operations Level 1 are not needed. I strongly disagree and will continue to call for these measures, which include no gatherings outside households and no business operations of any kind other than essentials (food, banking, pharmacy and medical).

You can watch my Facebook Live video discussing our community's response in more detail. I'm also hosting a virtual conversation series called "Our Community Cares" every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4 pm with leaders from business, government, labor and more to discuss different aspects of coronavirus response. this Friday I'll be joined by Florida's Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.

Follow me on Twitter for more updates about our upcoming sessions. Plus, stay tuned for future email updates to keep you informed about community resources.

One of the unintended positive consequences of this pandemic is to reveal just how interconnected we truly are. To tackle this moment of crisis we must come together as one county, one community, and work together for the common good.

Yours for a healthy Miami-Dade,

Daniella

Key information about Coronavirus

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF

Stay at home unless absolutely necessary. (Limit trips out of the house to essential needs -- going to the grocery store or doctor's office or to walk / exercise outdoors.) If you are buying groceries, make sure to thoroughly wash fruits and veggies after you buy them, and wash your hands after touching boxes and before eating.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue paper or inside your elbow.

Frequently clean and disinfect surfaces and objects, such as desks, phones and keyboard.