Sun Times Issue 08 13 20

Bacteria & Viruses............................9A Blood Drive / Wellness Checkup......5A Classified........................................10A Elite Auction.....................................3A

Hollywood Mosquito Control............4A Hallandale Beach.............................8A Kodner Galleries...............................2A One Nation Under House Arrest.......6A

A U G U S T 1 3 , 2 0 2 0 • 1 0 PA G E S • V O L U M E 1 7 • I S S U E 4 5

AVENTURA • BAL HARBOUR • DANIA BEACH • HALLANDALE BEACH • HOLLYWOOD • NORTH MIAMI BEACH • PEMBROKE PINES • PEMBROKE PARK • SURFSIDE • SUNNY ISLES BEACH

Contact Tracers play a vital role in slowing down a pandemic. They identify and alert people who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for an infectious disease such as COVID-19

Steps To Help Your Business Deal With Coronavirus

A Look To The Future

As your business opens communicate openly about the status of business operations, and what protective measures you’ve implemented.

The Aventura Arts & Culture Center 2021 Concert Series While the community may be starting to reopen slowly, it’s clear that theater venues will be among the last facilities to reopen.

The Hallandale Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (HBCRA) and the City of Hallandale Beach present the following recommendations to help the City’s businesses weather any potential slowdown caused by the outbreak of the Coronavirus. These 20 steps are offered as a way to ensure that our local businesses remain Clean, Safe and Informed.

Each step should be evaluated solely within the context of the requirements and needs of each business.

Businesses should continue to check the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Website (www.cdc.gov) for further information regarding the Coronavirus. You can also visit the City of Hallandale Beach’s website for more information, www.hallandalebeachfl.gov.

While the theater lights remain dimmed due to the impact of COVID-19, The Aventura Cultural Center staff wanted to provide an update as they look to the future. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center continues to follow the guidance of local and state officials and remain prepared to respond and adapt to evolving directives. At this time, they do not know when the theater will be permitted to open but they are preparing for a variety of scenarios based on the evolving science and guidance of health professionals. They are preparing a reopening plan which outlines new procedures and protocols they will follow. The plan has been developed in accordance with CDC guidelines and in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, which manages the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. While the theater remains closed, they continue to look at all aspects of the customer experience with the goal of providing the best possible experience within the new guidelines

Contact Tracers Wanted

The Future, Page 4A

Contact Tracers, Page 7A

Coronavirus, Page 7A

not been approved or received funds from any institution under the Paycheck Protection Program Loan (PPP) or other federal or state assisted business loan program and have a single establishment.

The $30 million HIG program will be calculated based on individual percentages of eligible costs incurred, with a maximum

award of $25,000 per establishment. The program will award grants to a maximum of two (2) establishments per restaurant/ hospitality group. Priority will be given to applicants that have a single establishment. If an applicant has two or more establishments and requests assistance

The City of North Miami, FIU and CareerSource Team Up As the number of COVID-19 cases in South Florida continues to rise – with South Florida as the current epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic – the need for contact tracers has grown as well.

To help meet that need, FIU, in partnership with the City of North Miami and CareerSource, developed a free two-month training program for North Miami residents who want to work as contact tracers.

Contact tracers play a vital role in slowing down a pandemic. They identify and alert people who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for an infectious disease such as COVID-19, so they can take steps to prevent the further spread of the disease. According to a workforce estimator dashboard from George Washington University, Miami-Dade County needs about 15,000 contact tracers – if not more. With Florida

and other states seeing record numbers of cases and deaths and predictions of a stronger second wave in the winter, the high demand for contact tracing is expected to continue.

FIU will train 60 participants during the initial training program. The eight-week program will be broken down in two phases: In phase one, taking place from Aug. 12 to Aug. 28, participants study at their own pace. Phase two, Sept. 8 to Oct. 5, is taught by Melissa WardPeterson, postdoctoral associate and epidemiologist in FIU’s Community-Based Research Institute. Ward-Peterson is a recent graduate of the Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work.

“FIU is here for our community,” said Pablo Ortiz, vice president for regional and world locations and vice provost for the Biscayne Bay Campus. “We are

leveraging our expertise to develop our workforce in a way that will have meaningful impact in the fight against COVID-19.

Our hope is that participants in this program will have the tools to educate people in their communities about contact tracing and preventing the spread of COVID-19. We’re proud to partner with the City of North Miami and CareerSource in this innovative endeavor.”

The first phase will cover basic contact tracing skills and knowledge while preparing learners to work with remote platforms such as Zoom and Canvas. During the second phase, the training will delve further into issues that are particularly relevant to South Florida, such as navigating cultural norms around communication and sharing personal infor-

20 Steps As Recommended by the Hallandale Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Employers should establish firm requirements that any sick employees not enter the workplace in order to protect their fellow employees and other members of the public.

The CDC recommends that employees who become sick

Hospitality Grants & Business Loans Miami-Dade Program Now Accepting Applications The application process has now begun for the Hospitality Industry Grant program that was recently approved by the MiamiDade County Board of Commissioners, which has designated $30 million of the Business Grant Program specifically for the Hospitality Industry.

Partners in this program include Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality Industry Relief Fund and SOBEWFF, among others.

“We recognize the hardship

this shutdown has placed on the local hospitality community in Miami-Dade County and want to do our part to offset those financial burdens,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “We remain committed to balancing the priority of public health with the preservation of our local economy and are pleased to partner with the SOBEWFF and FIU Chaplin School team, along with other community partners, who were among the first to launch and

Commentary - One Nation Under House Arrest, 6A

successfully execute hospitality relief initiatives in South Florida.

Our goal with this latest effort is to quickly deliver financial relief to help sustain our local hospitality businesses so they are positioned to reopen and rehire as we overcome this crisis.”

The goal of the program is to provide financial assistance to local independently owned and operated restaurants and nonhome-based caterers impacted

by COVID-19. Priority will be given to businesses that have

Hospitality, Page 8A

Attention Retirees: Join Kodner Galleries Antiques A Jewish Academic Program, 8A and Much More, 2A

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Shoshana Bean

The Future From Page 1A that will include physical distancing, required masks or facial coverings, extensive cleaning and sanitizing. The health and wellbeing of their guests, staff, volunteers, artists, cast and crew remains their top priority.

The practical considerations of the performing arts industry are uniquely challenging.

National tours are not able to rehearse or make plans to go out ‘on the road’ and physical distancing requirements limit seating capacity in ways that make it difficult to viably open the theaters. These realities have created challenges for the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center and their peers.

While the community may be starting to reopen slowly, it’s clear that theater venues will be among the last facilities to reopen. They continue to reschedule many of the concerts and events they had slated for the summer and the fall. With all that, The Aventura Arts & Culture Center still looks toward the the future, and are proud to announce their 2021 series.

Norm Lewis SHOSHANA BEAN SUN, JAN 17, 2021- 7:00 PM Shoshana Bean is a veteran of the Broadway stage, making her debut in the original cast of Hairspray, starring as the very first replacement for Elphaba in Wicked and most recently as Jenna in Waitress. She won a IRNE Award for her performance as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl and earned a Jeff Award nomination for her portrayal of CeeCee Bloom in the pre-Broadway musical production of Beaches.

She has sold out solo concerts around the globe, lent her voice to countless films and television shows and performed alongside superstars such as Ariana Grande, Michael Jackson and more.

NORM LEWIS SUN, JAN 31, 2021 - 7:00 PM Tony Nominee and TV/Film Star Norm Lewis brings his glorious voice and ineffable charm and warmth back to his home state of Florida. Star of Phantom Of The Opera, Les Miserables, Porgy & Bess, The Little Mermaid and more, Lewis is “among the most reliably impressive voices on Broadway” according to the

Linda Eder New York Times and one of its most sought-after leading men.

In an evening filled with the songs from roles that have brought him critical acclaim to unique takes on musical theatre standards, Lewis promises to leave audiences wanting more.

LINDA EDER SUN, FEB 14, 2021 - 7:00 PM Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote, “What do we mean when we use the word perfection? The question arises every time I watch the pop singer Linda Eder….” Described as one of the greatest voices of our time, Linda Eder’s diverse repertoire spans Broadway, Standards, Pop, Country, and Jazz. When she performs “live” in concert, it is amazing to experience the ease with which she moves back and forth from one genre to another as if she were gifted with the vocal ability to perform each genre as well as all the others. She has performed for sold-out crowds in venues across the country and throughout Europe. She has performed at many prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, The Palace Theatre,

Rachel Bay Jones Radio City Music Hall, among many others.

RACHEL BAY JONES WED, MAR 10, 2021 - 8:00 PM Rachel Bay Jones is joining the Aventura Arts & Culture Center as part of their Broadway Concert Series. She is best known for originating the role of ‘Heidi Hansen’ in the Original Broadway Cast of Dear Evan Hansen, and receiving a Tony Award, Emmy Award, Grammy Award, Lucille Lortel Award, and Drama League Nomination for her performance. Additional Broadway credits include Pippin, Hair, and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. She can be seen on the hit ABC series Modern Family, CBS’ God Friended Me, and in the feature film Ben Is Back, opposite Julia Roberts.

TELLEY LEUNG SUN, MAR 21, 2021 - 7:00 PM Broadway’s Telly Leung is joined by a trio of New York’s finest musicians to present a musical chronicle of how a Brooklynboy went from the son of Chinese immigrants to being one of Broadway’s favorite leading

Telley Leung men in shows like Aladdin, Allegiance, Godspell, and Rent.

Audiences can expect an evening of personal backstage anecdotes and an eclectic program of music featuring hit songs from the world of Broadway, Pop, Rock, and Jazz.

If there is anything else the Aventura Arts & Culture Center can help you with, please use the online contact us form to receive the quickest response. They appreciate your continued patience and your support as they work through this challenging time and they look forward to welcoming you back soon. In the meantime, they hope you’ll be part of our online arts community as they find new ways to engage with the arts and each other.

Stay connected with them during this intermission.

Aventura Arts & Cultural Center’s Box Office: 305.466.8002, ext. 1 Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (Please note call volume is extremely high at this time.)

Group Sales: 954.660.6307 or email. Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–4:30 PM Online: www.aventuracenter.org

Help Control the Mosquito Population The Florida Department of Health in Broward County has confirmed a locally acquired case of West Nile Virus. As a direct response, the Broward County Mosquito Control Section is spraying organic larvicide as part of an integrated pest management approach that also includes public outreach, adulticide application and setting mosquito traps.

Hollywood residents and business owners are encouraged to survey their properties frequently to remove any standing water in common mosquito habitats such as buckets, tires, planters, bird baths and fountains. By reducing the number of mosquito breeding habitats, residents will reduce the number of adult mosquitoes that could otherwise transmit diseases.

Broward County Mosquito Control Section continues to work closely with the Florida Department of Health and Code Enforcement partners in Broward’s 31 municipalities to reduce the population of mosquitoes and their habitats.

Any Broward County resident experiencing mosquito problems can request service by calling 311 or by completing the online Mosquito Service Request Form found at www.broward.org/ Mosquito/Pages/MosquitoServiceRequest.aspx About West Nile Virus West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. It is most commonly

Most people infected with West Nile virus do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms such as headache, pain, and fatigue. spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people.

Most people infected with West Nile virus do not feel sick.

About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms such as headache, pain, and fatigue.

People with mild illness typically recover within about a week with symptomatic treatment. Less than one-percent of infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

Symptoms typically appear between two and 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

People over the age of 60 and individuals with weakened immune systems are at an increased risk for severe disease.

The Department of HealthBroward reminds residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic

precautions to help limit exposure. To protect yourself from mosquitoes, you should remember to “Drain and Cover”: DRAIN standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.

• Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water can collect.

• Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.

• Empty and clean birdbaths and pet’s water bowls at least once or twice a week.

• Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps to prevent water from accumulating.

• Maintain swimming pools and ensure they are appropriately chlorinated.

Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

COVER skin with clothing or repellent.

• Clothing - Wear shoes, socks, and long pants and long-sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.

• Repellent - Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.

• Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, and IR3535 are effective.

• Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.

Tips on Repellent Use • Always read label directions carefully for the approved usage before you apply a repellent. Some repellents are not suitable for children.

• Products with concentrations of up to 30 percent DEET (N, N-diethyl-mtoluamide) are generally recommended. Other U.S. Environmental Protection Agencyapproved repellents contain picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, paramenthane-diol, or IR3535. These

products are generally available at local pharmacies. Look for active ingredients to be listed on the product label.

• Apply insect repellent to exposed skin, or onto clothing.

• In protecting children, read label instructions to be sure the repellent is age-appropriate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mosquito repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under the age of three years. DEET is not recommended on children younger than two months old.

• Avoid applying repellents to the hands of children. Adults should apply repellent first to their own hands and then transfer it to the child’s skin and clothing.

• If additional protection is necessary, apply a permethrin repellent directly to your clothing. Again, always follow the manufacturer’s directions.

COVER doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house.

• Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios.

For more information on what repellent is right for you, consider using the Environmental Protection Agency’s search tool to help you choose skin-applied repellent products: http://cfpub.epa. gov/oppref/insect/#searchform.

For information on Mosquito Control in Hollywood, visit www.hollywoodfl.org and click on “Mosquito Control” under City News, or Broward 954-765-4062.

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Blood Drive and Wellness Checkup The City of Sunny Isles Beach will be having a blood drive on Friday. All successful donors will receive a free tote bag and wellness checkup including a COVID-19 antibody test. Donors must be at least 16 years old.

Minors must obtain parental permission. To protect team members and other donors, please do not present to donate if you have a fever. Masks are required to be worn by all blood donors. You may wear your own or we will provide one for you if needed.

The number of people allowed on the bus will be limited at any one time. You can provide your phone number and wait in the

car or outside to be called when it is your turn.

DONORS CAN TAKE COMFORT IN KNOWING OneBlood is regulated by the FDA and required to follow strict operational guidelines. Their facilities and Big Red Buses are clean and meet all FDA safety standards. At every blood drive and donor center, OneBlood team members follow safety protocols, including: • Wearing medical gloves for blood collections • Wiping down donor-touched areas and equipment after every collection with disinfectant. This includes donor

beds, registration tablets, blood-pressure cuff and hemoglobin sensors.

• Using sterile collection sets for every donation • Conducting donor mini-physicals, including temperature check to ensure donors are healthy and well on the day of donation As an additional safety measure, OneBlood is asking people who have traveled to countries at high risk for the coronavirus to self-defer from donating blood for 28 days upon returning to the United States. Team members who are sick or not feeling well do not report to work.

The event will take place at the Sunny Isles Beach Government Center 18070 Collins Avenue in Sunny Isles Beach. Donation hours will be 10:30 am - 4:00 pm, appoint-

ments are required.

For more information, visit oneblood.org, and to make an appointment go to https:// www.oneblood.org/donate-now/.

Virtual Concert With Christopher Jackson Streamed Live From New York

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is pleased to announce that it is one of a select group of nonprofit arts organizations participating in the livestream concert event

Christopher Jackson: Live from the West Side on Saturday, August 15 at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.

Jackson is a Grammy® and Emmy® Award–winning song-

writer/composer and a Tony® Award nominated actor best known for originating the role of George Washington in the cultural phenomenon Hamilton.

Accompanied by a live band, Jackson will be performing songs from his favorite musicals, pop standards, and some of his original material, and will share stories from his time affiliated with two of the most important musicals of the last decade In The Heights and Hamilton.

Audience members will also be invited to text in questions, some of which will be answered during the live event.

“Nonprofit arts presenters are the lifeblood of the performing arts industry and a pipeline for young talent. Without them there is no Broadway,” said Jackson.

“While everything is shut down

Five Fast Tips To Keep More Of Your Money With day-to-day activities affected by the coronavirus, many people greatly reduced their spending. While saving money is great, a solid financial plan is even better.

Here are hints on how: 1. Make a budget, but focus on the things that you can control.

You can’t change your mortgage or rent payment overnight, but

you can eat more meals at home.

2. Clear the clutter, but keep the cash. You can use sites such as Declutter, Facebook Marketplace and Offer Up to profit from the things you no longer need.

3. Simplify your subscriptions.

Today there are subscriptions for everything from entertainment to plants. It’s easy to lose track of

how much money you’re really spending. Make a list and do away with subscriptions you don’t fully use.

4. Plan major purchases. If you’ll need a new dryer, roof or car, figure out how much it will cost so that you can start saving.

5. Buy used or refurbished electronics. You can find great

during this terrible pandemic, I am delighted to be able to help spread some joy and help raise some much-needed support for these deserving organizations.”

The livestream, which is a coproduction of Dallas Summer Musicals and Entertainment Benefits Group, is being shared by a number of nonprofit arts presenters around the country.

The event will take place at New York’s New World Stages, the off-Broadway venue that has housed productions of Jersey Boys, Avenue Q and many others.

The Broward Center 2020 season is presented by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation. Tickets are $40 per household and are available for purchase at Browardcenter.org.

Tickets include access to the

livestream performance plus an additional 72 hours of ondemand viewing of a video recording of the livestream, available beginning one hour after the live broadcast ends.

The Broward Center also offers a variety of exciting virtual events for all ages including Classes to Go, which includes 20-minute singing, acting, dance and improv classes; Spotlights Sing; Broadway Chat Series; and Singalong with Miss Tammy. Also available is Slow Burn Theatre Co.’s “In the Green Room,” a weekly livestream of conversations and performances featuring talented artists who have been part of Slow Burn’s celebrated 10-year history. All virtual offerings can be found at https:// www.browardcenter.org/education/educationathome.

You can save money by getting good warranties on new or used appliances.

smartphones, laptops and other electronics in good condition on such sites as Gazelle, Swappa or eBay. Another tip for saving money is to use Upsie for the

most affordable warranties for your electronics, appliances and more.

Upsie also offers warranties that include accident protection for used devices.

FLEXCATION: Try a New Way to Travel (Family Features) Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, families are still finding ways to make the most of unusual schedules to plan a getaway. With more flexible work and school arrangements, many families are embracing the idea of a “flexcation,” an emerging travel trend where families rent vacation homes later in August, September and October, consider staying longer to mix work and play, and often get better value in high-demand locales.

“Though this year has been incredibly difficult for families, it’s inspiring to see how they have become resilient and resourceful by choosing alternative ways and dates to take vacations,” said Lish Kennedy, vice president of brand marketing at Vrbo. “More flexibility in our work and school schedules is allowing families to enjoy a welcome change in their surroundings and a relaxing break together.”

If you missed like seeing the out on your famleaves change ily’s annual sumcolors or visiting mer trip this year the beach when or just want to temperatures are take advantage of milder. more flexibility in Stay longer. your work and Travel data from school routines, Vrbo indicates consider these families want to reasons to take a take longer vacaflexcation. tions. With the Save money ability to work If you missed out on your family’s annual summer trip this and avoid crowds. remotely or comyear or just want to take advantage of more flexibility in Prices for vacation plete online your work and school routines, consider a “flexcation.” rentals typically assignments anydrop during shoulwhere there’s a der season, the time period after Cod, Massachusetts; Cape May, Wi-Fi connection, there’s no Labor Day and before the holiday New Jersey; and Ocean City, need to cut a weekend trip short travel season. Families not tied Maryland, through October com- to get back in time for class or to strict in-person school or work pared to prime summer travel punch the clock on Monday commitments can benefit from dates. morning. If a full week isn’t realSee familiar places in new istic, you might consider an fewer crowds and lower prices by choosing later travel dates. ways. Traveling during a different extra-long weekend, extending For example, you can find drops time of year lets you see favorite your trip from Thursday-Monday of at least 20% in average nightly destinations from a different per- instead of the more traditional rates for vacation homes in spective. It’s a chance to create Friday-Sunday. popular destinations like Cape new family experiences together, Enjoy a change of scenery.

According to a study from New York University, people feel happier when they have more variety in their daily routines, such as going to novel places and having a wider array of experiences.

After months of sheltering in place, a flexcation may be an ideal way to reestablish a healthy sense of balance.

Before you go, be sure to research how COVID-19 might affect your travel plans (www.cdc.gov), including any travel restrictions, quarantine policies or changes in hours and access to popular attractions in the area. It’s also a good idea to make sure you understand and verify details about your accommodations before you make reservations, such as enhanced cleaning procedures at the property and flexible cancellation policies.

Start planning your next safe family trip at vrbo.com.

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One Nation Under House Arrest How Do COVID-19 Mandates Impact Our Freedoms?

By John W. Whitehead - Commentary

We have become one nation under house arrest.

You think we’re any different from the Kentucky couple fitted out with ankle monitoring bracelets and forced to quarantine at home?

We’re not. Consider what happened to Elizabeth and Isaiah Linscott. Elizabeth took a precautionary diagnostic COVID-19 test before traveling to visit her parents and grandparents in Michigan. It came back positive: Elizabeth was asymptomatic for the novel coronavirus but had no symptoms. Her husband and infant daughter tested negative for the virus.

Now in a country where freedom actually means something, the Linscotts would have the right to determine for themselves how to proceed responsibly, but in the American Police State, we’ve only got as much freedom as the government allows.

That’s not saying much.

Indeed, it’s a dangerous time for anyone who still clings to the idea that freedom means the right to think for yourself and act responsibly according to your best judgment.

In that regard, the Linscotts are a little old-school in their thinking. When Elizabeth was asked to sign a self-quarantine order agreeing to check in daily with the health department and not to travel anywhere without prior approval, she refused.

“I shouldn’t have to ask for consent because I’m an adult who can make that decision. And as a citizen of the United States of America, that is my right to make that decision without having to disclose that to somebody else,” said Elizabeth. “So, no, I wouldn’t wear a mask. I would do everything that I could to make sure that I wouldn’t come in contact with other people because of the fear that’s spreading with this. But no, I would have just stayed home, take care of my child.”

Instead of signing the blanket statement, Elizabeth submitted her own written declaration: I will do my best to stay home, as I do every other time I get sick. But I cannot comply to having to call the public health department everytime that I need to go out and do something. It’s my right and freedoms to go where I please and not have to answer to anyone for it. There is no pandemic and with a survival rate of 99.9998% I’m fine. I will continue to avoid the elderly, just like PRIOR guidelines state, try to stay home, get rest, get medicine, and get better. I decline.

A few days after being informed that Elizabeth’s case was being escalated and referred to law enforcement, the Linscotts reportedly found their home surrounded by multiple government vehicles, government personnel and the county sheriff armed with a court order and ankle monitors.

“We didn’t rob a store,” Linscott said. “We didn’t steal something. We didn’t hit and run.

We didn’t do anything wrong.”

That’s the point, of course.

In an age of overcriminalization—when the law is wielded like a hammer to force compli-

A Kentucky couple is under house arrest after one of them tested positive for coronavirus and refused to sign self-quarantine papers. Elizabeth Linscott got tested for COVID-19 because she was planning to go visit her parents. “My grandparents wanted to see me, too, so, just to make sure that, you know, if I tested negative, that they would be okay, everything would be fine,” Linscott said.

ance to the government’s dictates whatever they might be— you don’t have to do anything wrong to be fined, arrested or subjected to raids and seizures and surveillance.

Watch and see: just as it did in China, this pandemic is about to afford the government the perfect excuse for expanding its surveillance and data collection powers at our expense.

On a daily basis, Americans are already relinquishing (in many cases, voluntarily) the most intimate details of who we are— their biological makeup, our genetic blueprints, and our biometrics (facial characteristics and structure, fingerprints, iris scans, etc.)—in order to navigate an increasingly technologicallyenabled world.

COVID-19, however, takes the surveillance state to the next level.

There’s already been talk of mass testing for COVID-19 antibodies, screening checkpoints, contact tracing, immunity passports to allow those who have recovered from the virus to move around more freely, and snitch tip lines for reporting “rule breakers” to the authorities.

As Reuters reports: As the United States begins reopening its economy, some state officials are weighing whether house arrest monitoring technology – including ankle bracelets or location-tracking apps – could be used to police quarantines imposed on coronavirus carriers. But while the tech has been used sporadically for U.S. quarantine enforcement over the past few weeks, large scale rollouts have so far been held back by a big legal question: Can officials impose electronic monitoring without an offense or a court order?

More to the point, as the head of one tech company asked, “Can you actually constitutionally monitor someone who’s innocent? It’s uncharted territory.”

Except this isn’t exactly uncharted territory, is it?

It follows much the same pattern as every other state of emergency in recent years—legitimate or manufactured—that has empowered the government to add to its arsenal of technologies and powers.

The war on terror, the war on drugs, the war on illegal immigration, asset forfeiture schemes, road safety schemes, school safety schemes, eminent domain: all of these programs started out as legitimate responses to pressing concerns and have since become weapons of compliance and control in the police state’s hands.

It doesn’t even matter what the nature of the crisis might

be—civil unrest, the national emergencies, “unforeseen economic collapse, loss of functioning political and legal order, purposeful domestic resistance or insurgency, pervasive public health emergencies, and catastrophic natural and human disasters”—as long as it allows the government to justify all manner of government tyranny in the socalled name of national security.

It’s hard to know who to trust anymore.

Certainly, in this highly partisan age, when everything from the COVID-19 pandemic to police brutality to football is being recast in light of one’s political leanings, it can be incredibly difficult to separate what constitutes a genuine safety concern versus what is hyper-politicized propaganda.

Take the mask mandates, for example.

Currently, 19 states have not issued mask mandates in response to rising COVID-19 infection numbers. More than 30 states have enacted some form of mask requirement. A growing number of retailers, including Walmart, Target and CVS, are also joining the mask mandate bandwagon. Georgia’s governor, in a challenge to mask requirements by local governing bodies, filed a lawsuit challenging Atlanta’s dictate that masks be worn within city limits.

In some states, such as Indiana, where masks are required but there are no penalties for non-compliance, government officials are urging people to protect themselves but not to get into confrontations over masks or turn into snitches.

In other states, such as Virginia, the Nanny State is using more strong-handed tactics to force compliance with mask mandates, including the threat of fines, jail time, surprise inspections of businesses, and complaint hotlines that encourage citizens to snitch on each other.

Officials in Las Vegas deployed 100 “compliance ambassadors” to help educate and enhance enforcement of the state’s mask mandate.

One couple in Knoxville, Tenn., took maskshaming to new heights when they created a Facebook page to track compliance by businesses, employees and customers.

In Miami, “residents now risk a legal penalty if they venture into public without a face mask.

The city has assigned at least 39 police officers to make sure that residents are following the city’s mandatory mask ordinance.

Offenders will be warned but, if they refuse to comply, they will be fined. The first offense will cost $100 and the second another $100. With a third —

God forbid — the offender will be arrested.”

These conflicting and, in some cases, heavy-handed approaches to a pandemic that has locked down the nation for close to six months is turning this health crisis into an unnecessarily politicized, bureaucratic tug-of-war with no clear-cut winners to be found.

Certainly, this is not the first crisis to pit security concerns against freedom principles.

In this post-9/11 world, we have been indoctrinated into fearing and mistrusting one another instead of fearing and mistrusting the government. As a result, we’ve been forced to travel this road many, many times with lamentably predictable results each time: without fail, when asked to choose between safety and liberty, Americans historically tend to choose safety.

Failing to read the fine print on such devil’s bargains, “we the people” find ourselves repeatedly on the losing end as the government uses each crisis as a means of expanding its powers at taxpayer expense.

Whatever these mask mandates might be—authoritarian strong-arm tactics or health necessities to prevent further spread of the virus—they have thus far proven to be uphill legal battles for those hoping to challenge them in the courts as unconstitutional restrictions on their right to liberty, bodily autonomy, privacy and health.

In fact, Florida courts have upheld the mask ordinances, ruling that they do not infringe on constitutional rights and that “there is no reasonable expectation of privacy as to whether one covers their nose and mouth in public places, which are the only places to which the mask ordinance applies.”

Declaring that there is no constitutional right to infect others, Circuit Court Judge John Kastrenakes concluded that “the right to be ‘free from governmental intrusion’ does not automatically or completely shield an individual’s conduct from regulation.” Moreover, wrote Kastrenakes, constitutional rights and the ideals of limited government “do not absolve a citizen from the real-world consequences of their individual choices, or otherwise allow them to wholly skirt their social obligation to their fellow Americans or to society as a whole. This is particularly true when one’s individual choices can result in drastic, costly, and sometimes deadly, consequences to others.”

Virginia courts have also upheld mask mandates.

These court decisions take their cue from a 1905 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Jacobson v. Massachusetts in which the Court upheld the authority of states to enforce compulsory vaccination laws.

In other words, the courts have concluded that the government has a compelling interest in requiring masks to fight COVID19 infections that overrides individual freedoms.

Generally, the government has to show a so-called compelling state interest before it can override certain critical rights such as free speech, assembly, press, privacy, search and seizure, etc. Most of the time, the government lacks that compelling state interest, but it still manages to violate those rights, setting itself up for legal battles further down the road.

We can spend time debating the mask mandates. However, criticizing those who rightly fear these restrictions to be a slippery slope to further police state tactics will not restore the freedoms that have been willingly sacrificed on the altar of national security by Americans of all political stripes over the years.

As I’ve warned, this is a test to see how whether the Constitution—and our commitment to the principles enshrined in the Bill of Rights—can survive a national crisis and true state of emergency.

It must be remembered that James Madison, the “father” of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights and the fourth president of the United States, advised that we should “take alarm at the first experiment upon our liberties.

Whether or not you consider these COVID-19 restrictions to be cause for alarm, they are far from the first experiment on our liberties. Indeed, whether or not you concede that the pandemic itself is cause for alarm, we should all be alarmed by the government’s response to this pandemic.

By government, I’m not referring to one particular politician or administration but to the entire apparatus at every level that conspires to keep “we the people” fearful of one another and under virtual house arrest.

This is what we’ve all been reduced to: prisoners in our skin, prisoners in our homes, prisoners in our communities— forced to comply with the government’s shifting mandates about how to navigate this pandemic or else.

Right now, COVID-19 is the perfect excuse for the government to wreak havoc on our freedoms in the name of safety and security, but as I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People, don’t believe for a minute that our safety is the police state’s primary concern.

Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an attorney and author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of constitutional law, human rights and popular culture. John Whiteheads commentary are his view and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at johnw@rutherford.org.

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Contact Tracers From Page 1A mation, as well as the importance of building rapport and trust with impacted communities.

“North Miami residents seeking employment during these challenging times will now have the option to obtain a new skill set that is rapidly growing in demand nationwide,” said Theresa Therilus, North Miami city manager. “Earning a contact tracing certificate gives a competitive edge to our residents currently on the job market. The effects of COVID-19 have made this a very difficult time in our history; but I am pleased to see how our community partnerships and the innovation of our North Miami Community Planning and Development Department team are producing opportunities to boost our local economy, develop our workforce and further fight this devastating pandemic.”

The City of North Miami is funding the course through the

Coronavirus From Page 1A upon arrival or during the workday should be separated from other employees and sent home immediately.

Emphasize appropriate respiratory etiquette (contain coughs and sneezes) and emphasize frequent hand washing by all employees.

Establish policies and practices to increase the physical distance among employees and between employees and members of the public — social distancing — to reduce the spread of the virus.

Communicate openly about the status of business operations, what protective measures you’ve implemented, and how they (as customers) will be protected when they visit your business. Promotions may also help incentivize customers who may be reluctant to patronize your business.

Plan on bringing staff together in order to prepare a plan for what to do if the incident worsens or improves.

Greet customers and fellow employees without shaking hands for the near future.

Perform frequent environmental cleaning of the workplace, especially surfaces that are frequently touched in common areas.

Install alcohol-based sanitizer stations near entryways and in areas where employees can most easily access.

Cross train staff on essential functions to ensure business continuity while any key employees may be unavailable.

If possible, businesses such as restaurants should partner with food delivery businesses that can deliver directly to consumers.

Make available video conferencing software and phone bridges for virtual meetings rather than relying on in-person group meetings.

Prepare your IT systems to support telecommuting, which typically creates a more resilient business in times of need.

Install appropriate apps on employees’ phones or mobile computing devices in order to access work and related apps and data remotely.

Consider moving your phone system and voicemail to the cloud; it is easier to retrieve messages from home and setup call forwarding.

Consider changing workflow to sharing documents in the cloud, so collaboration is still possible with many remote employees. Ensure you have good security protocols in place for sensitive documents or work streams.

Move email to the cloud, rather than hosting it on servers at the office.

One person with COVID-19 will transmit infection to two or three other people on average when there are no control measures and no previous exposure to infection. In the absence of vaccines and specific drug treatments, the only way to slow the spread of COVID-19 is by reducing interactions between infectious and susceptible people, that is where Contact Tracers come in.

Community Development Block Grant funds (CDBG-CV) obtained from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, derived from its CARES Act allocation. Learners who complete the program will receive a microcredential from FIU. CareerSource will help provide job placement. Given the current

This is more related to other types of disasters that might disrupt IT systems, but is a best practice.

Diversify supply chains to become less dependent on individual suppliers from territories that may be at greater risk of impacts from COVID-19, if your operation depends on such supply chains.

Review and update business insurance policy information in order to understand what is covered and not covered during an extended incident.

Plan now for lines of credit / capital, in case working capital and cash flows become impacted by a reduction in consumer demand or a delay in ability to fulfill product or service orders. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is in the process of making SBA disaster loans available to businesses, go to www.sba.gov to see what might be available to you.

Free COVID-19 Posters and Floor Decals in 22 Languages Free, downloadable COVID-19 safety posters and floor decals are now available in 22 languages, courtesy of Argo Translation. This initiative offers vital safety information tailored to an organization’s specific audience and has already seen hundreds of downloads, with more than half benefiting school districts.

A translation project of this magnitude typically would be quite costly for an organization. However, ensuring everyone’s safety is a top priority at Argo.

With students possibly returning to schools and brick-and-mortar businesses welcoming workers and customers again, Argo has chosen to release these valuable posters and decals at no charge.

“We were looking for a way to help fight the spread of the virus. In consideration of the reopening of schools and manufacturing facilities, we thought a series of translated signs would be the best way to help,” said Argo Founder Peter Argondizzo. “We are really proud to offer this set of 9 posters and floor decal designs in 22 languages.”

Argo found this type of information was not widely available, so they released safety posters in 14 languages. “Now, due to the popularity of the project and feedback from our customers, we decided to add more languages,” he said.

Argo has also translated The Centers for Disease Control’s official guidelines into 14 different languages, and those are also available on the Argo website.

Find the downloadable posters and floor decals at, https://www.argotrans.com /covid-19/.

global health crisis, the city recognizes the need to educate its workforce and equip residents with skills and training to meet the current demand in the job market.

“COVID-19 has challenged the business community in a myriad of ways; pushing us to think of innovative approaches to

the many roadblocks presented with a public health issue,” said Rick Beasley, executive director of CareerSource South Florida.

“Contact tracing is pivotal to getting the County back to work and sustaining the progress as we transition through the phases of our new normal. CareerSource South Florida is excited to part-

ner with FIU and the City of North Miami to identify, train, and put residents of the city back to work in support of this effort.”

Residents of North Miami can apply online to participate in the contact tracing training program, https://portal.neighborlysoftware .com/northmiami/Participant/ Login

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Hospitality From Page 1A for both, then a single application must be submitted.

Eligibility Requirements Restaurant or non-homebased caterer with a Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation License to operate as a restaurant or caterer.

Ineligible Nightclubs, bars, mobile food trucks, chain / franchise restaurants, hotel restaurants owned by hotel, & home based business of any kind.

Criteria Restaurants or non-homebased caterers located in MiamiDade County with a maximum of 50 employees and annual revenue does not exceed $10M.

To apply go to www8.miamidade. gov/Apps/ISD/SBD_HIG RISE Miami-Dade Small Business Loan The Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners approved $25 million for the RISE Miami-Dade Fund to help small businesses in the County that were impacted by COVID19. RISE, which is an acronym for Re-Investing in our Small Business Economy, has been created by drawing on flexible funds provided to local governments through the federal CARES Act. What is the purpose of the RISE Miami-Dade Fund?

The COVID-19 crisis has forced the business community to confront huge challenges.

Small business owners in particular are facing highly difficult circumstances. The RISE MD Fund focuses on helping small

businesses in Miami-Dade County to begin the recovery stage of economic activity through low interest rate loans.

Who is eligible?

• For-profit businesses headquartered in Miami-Dade County.

• Primary residence in MDC of more than 50% of ownership.

• In business for at least 2 years (year to date).

• Annual verifiable revenues under $2.0M and fewer than 25 Employees (including 1099’s).

• Credit Score greater than 575 with no bankruptcies or foreclosure in the last 3 years.

• Priority will be given to businesses that did not receive funding from any federal or state program.

• Calculation: 6 times commercial lease recent monthly rent.

If business is home based, 3 times residential lease (or mortgage) recent monthly lease (payment).

• Rate: Fixed at Prime Rate (currently 3.25%).

• Grace period for the first payment:

guarantee is required by all owners with 20% or more ownership.

How can my business use loan funds?

Loan funds can be used for employee wages/salaries; inventories; payoff high interest debt;

“The goal with this latest effort is to quickly deliver financial relief to help sustain our local hospitality businesses so they are positioned to reopen and rehire as we overcome this crisis.”

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez

What are the loan terms?

• Amount: maximum per borrower is $30,000 or 50% of previous year’s revenue (whichever is lower).

3 months from closing (no interest accrued).

• Term: 3 years (36 months).

• No prepayment penalty.

commercial lease, mortgage or rent payments; utilities; and other expenses incurred due to new safety provisions.

Is the loan forgivable?

No, loans given under the RISE program are NOT forgivable. Additionally, a personal

For a full list of requirements and how to submit them go to https://risemiamidade.com.

Attention Retirees: Join A Jewish Academic Program & Receive a Stipend United Jewish Generations, a Chabad organization, is offering retirees a daily Jewish academic learning program, with a stipend!

But that’s not all, computer training, computers, internet service and tech support will also be provided for those that need.

Using Zoom technology, the senior population will enjoy a powerful learning, friendship, community and intellectual stimulation. Retirees can choose between a one hour/day track and a two hours/day track.

Classes will be geared for beginners to intermediate level of Judaic knowledge. Program will include collaborative learning and essay writing.

Using Zoom technology, the senior population will enjoy a powerful learning, friendship, community and intellectual stimulation.

Retirees can choose between a one hour/day track and a two hours/ day track. If you would like to participate, do not delay, space is limited

“This is a perfect solution for the current state of isolation that seniors particularly are suffering from,” says Rabbi Smith, director of United Jewish Generations.

“This innovative program will be called ‘Levi Yitzchok Senior Academy’ and will reach those that are ambitious to advance their wisdom with Judaic courses

that are both intellectual and inspirational. Everyone should have the opportunity to know their history and heritage.”

The Levi Yitzchok Senior

Academy is currently accepting applications for all US residents.

If you would like to participate, do not delay, space is limited.

Applications are available at WWW.UntedJewishGenerations. com/LYSA United Jewish Generations is a non-profit organization in South Florida that specializes in servicing the senior citizen population. This Academy is one of their many programs that enhance the quality of life for older adults.

For more information, please call Rabbi Menachem Smith at (305) 770-4540 or email rabbi@united Jewishgenerations.com

City Manager Greg Chavarria Has Decided To Step Down As City Manager

By Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper

As I started this week ready to tackle the important issues of our budget, our city has found out that our current City Manager Greg Chavarria has decided to step down as city manager. He has held the position for over 20 months and has worked diligently to bring the city back from it being dismantled by previous administrations. He has been doing a tremendous job during this crisis which has been unprecedented and extremely demanding. Many residents are unaware of the hours that a city manager puts in. They run day to day operations and oversee every department. During a crisis it has become double duty.

I have had the chance to work with Greg since he started with our former City Manager Renee Miller. He has been a true asset to our community. He led the transformation of our Technology Department and continued to improve our ability to provide streamlined online services. He has led the city through tough union negotiations. While I was disappointed by his announcement, I know we have two very accomplished Assistant City Managers that will lead us through this transition.

City Manager Chavarria has been hired by the City of Fort Lauderdale as an Assistant City Manager. I along with the entire

city wish him continued success.

His last day will be September 1, 2020.

On Tuesday the Broward County School Board hosted a virtual special meeting to discuss the reopening plan for our schools. Sadly, due to the continued high infection rate the decision has been made to go to full remote learning. I am sure this has been a daunting task for our school board members.

Everyone would like to get back to normal, but all risk factors need to be analyzed.

Everyone needs to understand that many private and charter schools are going to open under a modified plan. This would be a choice of the parents.

They would have the choice to have their student go back full time, go back on a modified schedule, or do at home learning. This system is one I supported before the numbers went up. To open schools fully, in my opinion, is unwise. Currently schools simply do not have the capacity to have every student in the classroom and socially distance properly. If a teacher or student comes down with COVID-19 all students and teachers would need to be sent home and out of school. I do understand the concerns from teachers. If there are teachers with underlying health concerns or must care for someone at a

high risk, they need to avoid exposure. Children are not immune. Cases will go up with children, as proven around the country.

The board is working on a plan for those students with special needs and learning disabilities. It has not been fully announced yet what that will look like, but it is believed it will be a certain school. Once school starts it will also mean those students on free and assisted meals will be able to receive much needed meals.

Our positivity rate in Broward County has been fluctuating, around 10% percent. When we started to re-open it was below 3%. This number must go down before there is a change to any other operations. The gating criteria for reopening requires a consistent 14-day reduction in numbers that includes testing, infection rate, death rate, hospital admissions and ICU beds. It is not a matter of just testing.

We all need to remember this is not a simple flu. It is insidious and to date there is not enough data to suggest that any group is not susceptible. Everyone can be a carrier. We all need to wear our masks, and wash our hands regularly. When we are at home and have any visitors we still need to be cautious. Even if they are family members you need to take the same precautions,

City Manager Chavarria has been hired by the City of Fort Lauderdale as an Assistant City Manager.

I along with the entire city wish him continued success. His last day will be September 1, 2020.

unless you know they have also been away from crowds, you must have them wear a mask.

Follow all the CDC guidelines, and of course social distance.

This can help stop the spread, and save lives.

There is still time to fill out the Census. If you have not completed it yet, please take time today to do so. This is how many decisions are made when it comes to your tax dollars coming back to our city. You can complete it online at my2020Census .gov or you can call; English 844330-2020 Spanish 844-468-2020 or TDD 844-467-2020.

Early voting for the primary is underway. it is to late to be registered for it. It is not too late to register to vote for November.

You can contact the Broward County Supervisor of Election at www.browardsoe.org or call 954357-7050. It is also a great idea to confirm your registration and request an absentee ballot.

To those readers that reached out to ask, Yes, I will be running in November. There are three seats open, Mayor Cooper, Commissioner Taub and Commissioner Lazarow.

As always, I am available anytime with your questions and concerns at phone/text 954-632-5700 or you can email me at jcooper@cohb.org.

Please visit my Facebook MayorJoyCooper that has been reactivated.

Like it, friend it, share it.

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Bacteria & Viruses In Your Home 1st Priority Restoration Can Help, (1-800-617-1112) The world today is much different than it was just months ago, and we are all looking for answers on how to protect ourselves. There is no bigger issue for everyone than their health.

With viruses & bacteria on everyone’s mind and in the headlines the uncertainty about how to avoid contracting an illness and getting sick has everyone on edge. The best way to combat this fear and anxiety is with knowledge.

The knowledge about the proper steps to protect yourself and your loved ones outside and inside your home.

For the near future, wear a mask, sanitize yourself and your home.

This will be the new norm, so arm yourself with the facts, and that will help decrease your anxiety.

Outside of the home we have less control over our environment, but there are ways to lessen your exposure. The CDC (Centers For Disease Control) has recommendations for steps to protect yourself. First, stay home when you are sick, this will help stop the spread. Limit movement in the community, establish ways to communicate with family and friends that don’t require person to person contact.

Discuss with your employer the possibility of working from home.

Clean your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Inside your home is where you can really make a difference in the health of your family. Viruses can be scary, but the fact of the matter is the chance of contracting it and other illness in your home can be mitigated through cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and air vents. That is where a professional service such as 1st Priority Restoration can help. That nagging cough you may have should make you think twice about your health. That cough can be be caused from exposure to damp and moldy environments or viruses which can lead to a variety of health effects that aren’t related to the Coronavirus, but certainly can affect your health in a negative way. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. People with chronic lung illnesses may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed to mold.

Ever wonder why you or your children wake up coughing and sneezing on a regular basis? The CDC may have the answer.

According to the CDC in 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, and wheezing in otherwise healthy people and in individuals susceptible with compromised immune conditions. Mold or

(TL) When it comes to mold and mildew, we cannot take those potential hazards lightly. A mold problem can cause you to experience dizziness, anxiety and depression. If you have been experiencing a diminished attention span or problems with your memory, it might be a good idea to have your home inspected for black mold by a mold remediation crew. (TR) With viruses & bacteria on everyone’s mind and in the headlines the uncertainty about how to avoid contracting an illness and getting sick has everyone on edge. (BL-BR) Mold & viruses can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. mold spores may cause asthma attacks in people who have asthma and are allergic to mold.

Even in some nonallergic individuals, mold can cause symptoms of irritation in the eyes, skin, and airways. For example, the “black mold” Stachybotrys, along with some other types of mold, produces toxins known as mycotoxins that can cause irritation of the skin and airways in susceptible individuals.

Sometimes, people may develop severe reactions to mold exposure. Symptoms of severe reactions, which are uncommon, include fever and difficulty breathing.

Mold & Viruses And Your Home Mold and viruses are found both indoors and outdoors. They can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold and viruses in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, bags, and pets can and be carried indoors.

Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery. With all the rain and storms we have been having these past months you can see a pattern of mold growth that will last. From leaks, and driving rain, mold growth is a certainty in South Florida. If you are concerned you might have a mold or mildew problem it is best to call professionals for a complete evaluation of your home.

Your health is your most impor-

tant asset, so just like you go see a doctor for a test, your home health needs testing as well.

Never Fool Around With Mold & Mildew When it comes to mold and mildew, we cannot take those potential hazards lightly. A mold problem can cause you to experience dizziness, anxiety and depression. If you have been experiencing a diminished attention span or problems with your memory, it might be a good idea to have your home inspected for black mold by a mold remediation crew. For people sensitive to mold, inhaling or touching mold spores can cause allergic reactions, including sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash.

People with serious mold allergies may have more severe reactions, including shortness of breath.

At 1st Priority Restoration, this is what they do 365 days a year, and nobody knows how to prevent potential dangers like they do – and by dialing 1-800-617-1112 – you can save financially - as well as with your health!

Very Important Information There are some important ways we can prevent the spread of mold. Keep an eye out for hidden leaks: Wet spots on your ceiling, at the baseboards or on the floor are a telltale sign of a leaky pipe or roof. Your homes pipes are behind drywall, which can leave a small leak unnoticed.

Mold can grow behind those walls and filter into the air through ducts or pipes. At 1st Priority, they can come in and assess the situation before it gets worse. Did you know that many air conditioners, especially

window units, are susceptible to mold growth! They often trap moisture, creating a breeding ground for spores. Bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms create a lot of excess heat and humidity, especially here in south Florida – whether it be from a shower, stove or even a dryer. All three of these areas should be well ventilated.

Education is key to anything – and when our health is at stake – knowing that mold spores can lay dormant for years after they are produced and could begin growing at any time is extremely important to know. Because of this, regular cleaning and having 1st Priority Restoration to depend on, will certainly make our lives much easier.

Experience Is Everything With decades in the business, 1st Priority Restoration is a reputable company with over 20 employees that are licensed and insured. They have been doing all types of cleaning and water damage restoration for more than a decade. “We use the most efficient cleaning and water removal equipment to make sure that our customers are satisfied with the job we do for them. We try to use nontoxic “Green” safe chemicals for all mildew treatments.” “In all the years that we

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Customers Are Always Satisfied “If a customer calls and is not completely satisfied with any of the work, the crew will return promptly to your property and will meet your expectations. We strive to make our customers 100% satisfied and have many repeat customers as a result of it.”

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Page 10A southfloridasun.net • facebook.com/sfsuntimes • sfsuntimes@aol.com • (954) 458-0635 • Thursday, August 13, 2020

• The average Floridian has incurred 22.1 hours of ‘sleep debt’ per week since lockdown began.

‘Sleep debt’, according to The National Sleep Foundation is described as ‘the difference between the amount of sleep that you need and the amount that you’re actually getting.’

TROUBLE SLEEPING? The Average Floridian Has Incurred 22.1 Hours of Sleep Debt Per Week Since Lockdown Began As many of us have been working from home, and juggling family life with little or no childcare, it’s fair to say the Coronavirus and subsequent lockdowns have changed routines fundamentally. Along with this seismic change in everyday life is the huge economic fallout, with many Americans extremely worried about their personal financial position and the threat of unemployment. But another, often overlooked, cost of lockdown is the amount of quality sleep Americans are

getting. Sleep is crucial for good health – it regulates our mood, affects productivity, concentration, weight, and it’s the key to a healthy lifestyle. Several studies have shown we are getting less quality sleep since the pandemic started. In fact, in her recent podcast, Michelle Obama described trouble sleeping and periods throughout the lockdown in which she has felt down.

‘Sleep debt’, according to The National Sleep Foundation is described as ‘the difference between the amount of sleep that you need and the amount

that you’re actually getting.’ And contrary to popular belief, sleep debt cannot be re-paid, such as binge sleeping on the weekends.

Much like a credit card debt, sleep debt is one that cannot be easily cleared. Eight restorative hours is the recommended amount of shuteye for adults each night but how often have we been getting this since the start of the pandemic?

Blogger outreach agency, Ocere.com, carried out a survey of 3,000 Americans to find out just how much sleep debt we have been incurring per week

since the start of the pandemic.

It was found that, overall, the average Floridian has missed out on a significant 22.1 hours of quality sleep each week since the pandemic began (compared to a national average of 21.4 hours) – that is a hefty sleep debt of over 3 hours per night.

• 1/4 say their sleep routines have changed since the start of the pandemic.

• 37% of respondents say worry about Coronavirus is biggest cause of their insomnia.

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With many people now being in the routine of working or schooling from home due to social distancing regulations, it is no surprise that, not only are people getting less quality sleep, but over 1/4 (26%) say their sleep routines have also changed – such as going to bed later and waking up at different times.

Sometimes we can be our own worst enemies, however.

Perhaps it is that we are so tired during the day, or a trip to the kitchen in our home is just a shuffle away, but 28% of employees working from home admit they are consuming more caffeine than they did in their usual place of work.

The survey also revealed that a staggering 37% of people said worrying about the pandemic is the main concern that has been keeping them up at night; 20% said it’s because they are out of sync with their usual sleep patterns; and an additional 20% feel that being inside for a majority of the day is the reason for their insomnia. 18% said stressing over money issues is keeping them up at night; and 5% said this is due to a lack of exercise during the day.

To place your Classified Listing in our print and digital publications, please call (954) 458-0635, or email suntimesgraphics@aol.com.

The deadline to place your ad is 5pm every Tuesday.

APARTMENT FOR SALE

APARTMENT FOR SALE

APARTMENT FOR SALE

AUTOS FOR SALE

APARTMENT FOR SALE

$$ OPPORTUNITY $$ AMAZON EXPERT-SEO WANTED Unique Coffee “K-cup” Products. % Of Sales, Equity Potential.

Reply: Wardfarm2000@Yahoo.com

APARTMENT FOR SALE

APARTMENT FOR SALE

SERVICE DIRECTORY

LINE ADS Starting at SERVICE DIRECTORY

$

2000

SERVICE DIRECTORY

(954) 458-0635

Aventura Flamenco Towers

APARTMENT FOR SALE

Unit 706, Split 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath, marble appearance ceramic floors throughout, large balcony overlooking PGA Golf Course & lake, Washer / Dryer, kitchen has beautiful Granite Countertops & Backsplash, building completely renovated. 1 covered parking space, pool, gym, dry sauna, 5 minutes to shopping, etc., $239,000.

Call Cecile for more information: (305) 725-6015