Category: Community

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My pre-COVID self lies just under the surface, waiting to emerge

Neil and I along with millions of others are entering another month of primarily staying home. As I wrote last month, I recognize that as time continues and projects wane, I have to think of new ways to spend my time in a productive manner. Let me catch you up.

Mickey Booboo is growing in leaps and bounds. He is learning many new things daily. Some I like, others I tolerate. When the devil dog emerges, we butt heads. He is vocal, opinionated, happy, and confident (he certainly takes after the two of us). He occupies a large portion of my day and I laugh out loud
at his antics, tell numerous Mickey stories to anyone who will listen, and enjoy our exercise program of walking and swimming. Yes, Mickey is a true water dog and swims all over the pool catching bubbles and bugs. I love my time with him and have looked to augment only a small portion of the day with other things.

Neil is busy with his many undertakings, yet makes time to play two-handed Canasta with me at least once a day. Besides his business and the HOA, he is working to create a mentoring program with the Broward County
Board of Education. Although we are both in the house, we generally are separate except for the card game, dinner, and whatever after-dinner activity we plan.

The biggest enhancement I have made is for my friends to occupy more of my time again. I now play both Canasta and Mah Jongg online with friends (simultaneously using Houseparty) three afternoons a week, I have a couple
of friends over to swim one day each week, and try to do an occasional lunch, dinner, or coffee and dessert outside (socially distant). By creating a regular recurring weekly schedule of these things, I am more satisfied both socially and having utilized my time in a positive way. This addition has made a world of difference.

I continue to try new recipes, and while some turn out to be delicious, others have been mediocre at best. Prepping and cooking combined with planning a shopping list for Walmart pickup occupies a number of hours, and this is something I have thoroughly enjoyed.

My cousin Sharry has tried a number of my creations and shares many of
hers with me. Again, I think I always get the better end of this deal as hers are
always delicious.

While I have nearly run out of house projects, there is one remaining that I have consistently hesitated to start. The project is going through all of my and my mom’s old photographs. I know that this should be done as it will preserve family history for my grandchildren, but somehow, I dread the poignant, emotional hours and days it will entail. Maybe I’ll start this month.

There is a word that describes my life during the pandemic: Pentimento. It is the reappearance in a painting of an underlying image that had been painted over, usually when the later painting becomes transparent with age. The earlier image may be visible initially, become visible with age, or revealed through X-rays. I feel that way about my life now. I have changed the surface of my life, substituting things that enable me to be happier in my new normal, but the elements of my previous way of life are still there, under the surface, waiting to emerge. I pray for a vaccine.

 

By Jill Vogel

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Building, project permits protect the homeowner

When contemplating plumbing, electrical, or structural work in your home, it is wise to touch base with the city building department about permit requirements.

A permit protects you, assuring that the work has been done according to building code. It assures you that the contractor and sub-contractors are properly licensed. For example, if unlicensed work was done and you have to file an insurance claim because of a problem, your homeowner insurance company may not approve the claim if the work was done without a permit.

Permits are also important if you are selling. A buyer’s home inspector will check to see if any work done had a permit. Trouble may occur if a permit is obtained but the work was not completed and the permit closed out.

The title company or law firm handling a closing will also check to see if any permits filed for have been properly closed out. Open or unclosed permits may delay a closing.

Importantly, when it comes time to sell your home, you will be able to show that all work was properly done by permit and inspected by the city building department. The buyers will feel comfortable that your home is safe.

Inspectors will come over to inspect at different points along the renovation/ construction project to make sure that from beginning to end the work has been done to code.

By Kathy Schroeder

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Couple apologizes for taking in school shooter

James and Kimberly Snead, the Parkland couple that took in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz, issued a written apology for their actions at the end of July.

The apology is part of a legal agreement settling negligence suits against the couple as a result of the 2018 tragedy in which 17 people were killed.

“The settlement also calls for them to pay $1 to the victims and forbids them or their lawyer from speaking of or profiting from the story of the massacre.” The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported.

The text of their apology follows:

We, JAMES and KIMBERLY SNEAD, will forever regret taking NIKOLAS CRUZ into our home. We did so believing we were helping a troubled young man who needed help. We are profoundly sorry for the actions and inactions which may have contributed to Nikolas Cruz’s ability to carry out the murders on February 14, 2018.

Despite warnings from Rocxanne Deschamps, his prior caretaker, and Kathy Blaine, a relative of Nikolas Cruz, we allowed Nikolas Cruz to move in with us.

Ms. Deschamps informed us of warning signs of his behavior, which occurred in her home, and that he had chosen to keep his rifle over continuing to live with her.

Kathy Blaine informed us that Nikolas Cruz was violent, dangerous, infatuated with guns and knives, untrustworthy, and threatened to kill people on Instagram, among other things.

We thought we could handle this troubled young man, unfortunately, we were wrong.

We were particularly wrong to allow him to store his firearms in our house, including the AR-15 used in this tragedy. We believed the firearms were secured in a gun safe under lock and key. We believed we had the only key, yet, somehow Nikolas Cruz was able to access the AR-15 before he attacked Stoneman Douglas.

We want people to learn from our mistakes and experience. Before considering bringing a troubled young person (particularly a teen) into your home, you should consider your safety, the safety of your family, and the safety of the community at large. You are assuming this danger.

If they have a history or exhibit any warning signs, you must immediately get him or her the professional help they need, and contact law enforcement. Don’t just naively think that you can handle it yourself.

And make sure you securely lock any and all firearms, and also make sure you keep any and all keys in your sole control. Don’t just think you have custody of the key. Know it.

And review the person’s social media, regularly. Troubled persons so often foretell the violence that they’re going to commit on social media.

Lastly, when you see something, say something to the law enforcement, to mental-health professionals, to everyone.

Sincerely,
James and Kimberly Snead

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Podcast Episode #14 – City Park – Parkland City Commissioner candidate for District 1 – Alex Zand

Join us for this episode is Alex Zand, who is running for commissioner from Parkland’s district 1.  Alex shared his priorities and what motivates him to run for city commision.  Check out his website: https://www.zandforparkland.com 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

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SoFlo Gardening: September 2020

What to Plant

Annuals/Bedding plants: Try ageratum, celosia, zinnia, and wax begonia for color in the fall.

Bulbs: Add color, texture, and patterns to the garden with the many varieties of elephant’s ear (Alocasia spp.), calla, narcissus, and zephyr lily.

Herbs: Plant Mexican tarragon, mint, rosemary, and basil.

Fruits & Vegetables: It is time to establish strawberry plants. Veggies to plant now are broccoli, carrots, cabbage, collards, and many others.

What to Do

Lawns: Continue to monitor the lawn for signs of insect damage. Fall armyworms, chinch bugs, mole crickets, and sod webworms are still active this month.

Fertilizer Bans: Numerous municipalities in South Florida prohibit the application of fertilizer to lawns and/or landscape plants during the summer rainy season (June–September). See if such an ordinance exists in your area.

Vegetable gardens: Prepare the fall vegetable garden if not done in August. Using transplants from your local garden center will get the garden off to a fast start, but seeds provide a wider variety from which to choose.

Perennials and bulbs: Divide and replant perennials and bulbs that have grown too large or need rejuvenation. Add organic matter to planting beds and monitor water needs during establishment.

Irrigation: Check that irrigation systems are providing good coverage and operating properly before summer rains taper off.

Citrus: Fertilize citrus with a balanced fertilizer either this month or in October. Use controlled-release nitrogen because rain will not leach it from the soil too quickly.

Source: University of Florida IFAS Extension

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Ask Dr. Renae: Household chore discord

Dear Dr. Renae,

I am constantly in trouble for not completing my chores at the exact time my mom wants them done. For example, I like to relax after dinner and take care of the dishes later. My mother yells at me for not doing them immediately after dinner. The same goes for taking out the garbage, making my bed, taking care of my laundry and hanging up my clothes. I get it all done, just not in the time frame my mother unfairly demands. I am called disrespectful and inconsiderate, neither of which are true. This is ruining our relationship as I do not want to spend time with my mother or even talk to her when she is always angry with me. I would like to be able to relax and have peace in my home. Please help!

14-year-old Daughter

Dear 14-year-old Daughter,

I procrastinate too. I find that it is best to complete my chores right away, so that you don’t have to worry about it later. Relaxing after chores will be much more rewarding that way. I suggest completing your chores on time and see if your mother continues to bother you. Mothers often take on domestic duties on top of being a caregiver and having a job, which is all incredibly stressful. She may be stressed about other things and misdirecting her anger on to you. Sit down with your mother and tell her that you value your relationship with her, but that it has been strained due to arguments over chores.

High School Sophomore

Dear 14-year-old Daughter,

I completely understand what you mean. Just try to understand your mom just wants you to adapt to doing chores on your own accord, as opposed to her having to tell you to do it. If you do it immediately, it saves both you and her unnecessary stress and strain on the relationship. If it’s an imperative problem, simply talk to your mother about how you feel.

Your Friend

Dear 14-year-old Daughter,

I feel you. As the daughter of a strict mother myself, I understand the struggle. In most cases parents tend to want things done their way in a timely and efficient manner. Anything otherwise would be considered procrastination and laziness, right? I’d recommend trying to communicate compromises with your mother and share your thoughts with her. A strong and positive relationship is all we ask for from our mothers and vice versa. Try to compromise on a time frame in which chores or other responsibilities should be completed that comply with both of you. Be realistic and consistent. Ensure that your chores are completed when you say they will be on your agreed terms. Build trust between both of you. You are responsible and respectful, make sure she grows to notice that. You’ve got this!

A 17-year-old Peer

Dear 14-year-old Daughter,

I totally feel you. The best advice I can give you is to start by doing your tasks when she tells you to do them. Now hear me out. Talking with a parent can be difficult if they are angry. If you do your chores on time for a couple of days, your mom will be satisfied with your efforts of listening to her. Her being in a happy state is the perfect time to communicate how being called disrespectful and inconsiderate is harsh when you do get your work done. She will be more understanding of how you feel. You can also try to sort out a time frame of when to do chores. Maybe you can rest 15 minutes and then get to doing your work. Just remember, there’s a better chance your mom will listen to you if she sees you putting in an effort to satisfy her.

Been There

Dear 14-year-old Daughter,

Your mom is trying to raise you to take care of your responsibilities and sounds frustrated in her efforts. Adults suffer consequences for not adhering to deadlines, such as late fees for paying bills past the due date, and accounts canceled. The consequences in those adult situations are applied without argument or discussion, just like your grade in the class automatically going down when you are late in handing in assignments. Some chores need to be done within a very specific time frame in order for the household to remain hygienic, clean, peaceful, and calm. For example, dishes need to be washed before food cakes on or insects crawl around. Garbage needs to be emptied before it overflows or smells. You might want to request a swap for chores that can be done in a less pressured time frame, such as once a day or twice a week whenever you wish, such as vacuuming or laundry. If that does not appeal to you and your mom, and you decide to keep the same chores, you can establish a written contract with the time/day each chore is to be completed. For example – dinner dishes within fifteen minutes after dinner time or garbage to be brought to curb by 6:00 am on garbage days. If you and your mom have previously discussed consequences, that should eliminate the need to argue. You will automatically lose a privilege for not complying, similar to school and adult life. You might find that you are awarded more privileges such as a later curfew and learning to drive when your mom sees you being more responsible for doing your chores without reminders.

Dr. Renae

 

 

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Fresh Florida salmon headed for your dinner plate

Plants grown in greenhouses are protected from the elements, kept at the right temperature, and fed exactly what they need to flourish.

Coming now to South Florida, a “Bluehouse,” whose inhabitants are protected from the elements, kept at the right temperature, and fed exactly what they need to flourish. With apologies to our vegan readers and good tidings to our meat eaters and pescatarians, the inhabitants in this case are Atlantic salmon.

It’s called a Bluehouse because it’s underwater; water continuously purified by a state-of-the-art filtration system where salmon are free to swim against strong currents, mimicking their natural habitat.

It’s all happening at a 390,000 square-foot
facility in Homestead, where the first four million Florida-born salmon are already swimming in Bluehouse tanks. They are free of antibiotics, pesticides, and hormones. They have no PCBs, mercury, or microplastics; clean fish ready for your dinner table.

The Norwegian company Atlantic Sapphire, an aquaculture venture in salmon, is behind the fisheries on 160 acres of land 30 miles south of Miami. Founded in 2010 by Norwegians Johan Andreassen and Bjorn-Vegard Lovik, the duo pioneered the use of cleaner fish in the 1990s as a natural way of fighting sea lice in net-pen salmon farming.

With a need to feed an expanding global population, aquaculture is the fastest-growing sector of agriculture.

According to the FAU Center for Marine and Warm Water Aquaculture, “More than 50 percent of the seafood we eat comes from aquaculture, but less than one percent is produced in the U.S. There is a critical need and opportunity to expand U.S. aquaculture production to grow safe and healthy seafood that will reduce the trade deficit.”

“With declining fisheries and the need to feed close to 10 billion people by 2050, it is projected that global aquaculture production will need to more than double in the next 40 years,” they say. Right now, the United States imports 95 percent of its salmon from the North Sea fjords of Norway or the cold waters off Chile.

A prototype for the facility was constructed in Denmark in 2011. That facility produced 25 generations of salmon and demonstrated the ability to raise Atlantic salmon without the use of net pens in open water.

“You think of potatoes from Idaho, lobsters from Maine, and now you’ll think of fresh salmon from Florida,” Atlantic Sapphire’s CFO, Jose Prado told Politico reporter Michael Grunwald. “This will be the new thing because the world needs what we’re doing here.”

Why South Florida? Grunwald learned that the company, after researching 14 states, found the perfect locale here. “In a miraculous quirk of geology, Florida has a fortuitous mix of freshwater, saltwater, and waste underground – like a layer cake,” Grunwald wrote.

“The area’s stratified underground aquifers happen to provide pristine freshwater that can mimic the river stage for young salmon, abundant saltwater that can mimic the estuary stage for mature salmon, and a boulder zone where wastewater can be disposed of safely,” he wrote.

Noting that the wild salmon catch has been flat for the past 30 years, Grunwald said, “Aquaculture is an exciting option because these salmon leave less impact on our oceans and forests and less of a carbon footprint.”

This is a theme echoed by Atlantic Sapphire and touted by Dr. Paul Wills of FAU’s Harbor Branch aquaculture research programs. Wills says, “Of course it’s unusual to grow salmon in South Florida. But, this land-based recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) gives complete control over the fishes’ environment. They can control what goes in and that influences what goes out.”

Like the salmon itself, which overcome all obstacles to swim upstream, Atlantic Sapphire will have to overcome its own obstacles, including COVID-19, to go from zero to producing half of the U.S. salmon diet over a four-phased plan.

According to Prado, since the pandemic began in March, limited operations and construction completion have continued and the company made an “extraordinary effort” to implement health and safety measures.

According to the Miami Herald, the company plans to produce 95,000 metric tons of fish by 2026 and 220,000 metric tons by 2031, and plans to price its fish at a price point 20 percent above market.

“Our Bluehouse salmon, raised in Miami, is a game-changer for U.S. seafood production,” Prado said. They also project to generate approximately 31,000 jobs by 2030, paying wages higher than those typical for the region.

“Atlantic Sapphire is an innovative company bringing new jobs and new technology to our region,” says Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “Did you ever imagine South Florida would serve as the world’s largest site for salmon production?”

“The facility is expected to bring in a capital investment of $340 million to South Dade,” says Gimenez. “In these uncertain economic times, innovation and job creation will be even more important to Miami-Dade County.”

 

By Jan Engoren

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How the Parklander gets to you

Once a month, we at the Parklander magazine hope to provide Broward and Palm Beach county residences with fresh and informative perspectives. We could not do this without many local partners, and we want to share the process with you.

Thanks to local businesses who advertise in our magazine,
our editorial staff is able to provide articles and columns of local interest. Our graphics department melds editorial and ads in what we hope to be an attractive presentation with an ever-watchful eye to our printer’s deadline.

For those not familiar with the ‘offset printing’ process, our magazine design is first etched onto aluminum plates representing cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

Our printing partner uses Akiyama presses with environmentally-friendly, vegetable-oil-based ink. The presses use aluminum plates with tiny holes to indicate where the ink should be deposited. Since oil and water don’t mix, water keeps the ink where it belongs, producing the vibrant colors you see in our magazine each month.

After giant sheets of paper are printed with magazine pages, they are bound with glue. Excess paper is cut off to create individual books and all excess paper is recycled.

After the magazines are completed, they are bundled, wrapped, and delivered to a United States Postal Service center for weighing to determine the postage before being sent out to individual post offices associated with local zip codes.

Pallets of magazines are separated into mail routes by clerks and sorted to individual homes by mail carriers.

Neil Rickette, who runs the Coral Springs Post Office on Atlantic Avenue, explained the magazines are distributed by clerks to the individual mail carriers for each of the city and rural routes. The carriers sort them to individual houses before delivering them to your mailbox.

Many thanks to our local printer and the post office for their work producing and delivering the Parklander to you. They are key to keeping our community connected during these challenging times.

 

By Li Pan

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Wine Watch: Worthy wines from the Pairing

I believe that the average American consumer has become a little leery of all the stuff they see advertised on TV. Most of it is junk, not worth the “only $19.95, free shipping and we will send you a second one for a small additional fee,” that they advertise.

The wine industry also suffers in a similar way. As a holdover from Prohibition (enacted in 1919), wine companies are still restricted in the ways they may advertise and in the content of those ads. Consumers must, therefore, rely on writers to tell them what is available in the marketplace and give some sort of information on the wine.

With prices on all items rising, consumers will not plunk down their money on something that is totally unknown to them and I truly do not blame them. It is my job to point the wine consumer toward worthy choices that they probably might never have tried without a nudge; consider this a nudge.

The Paring 2017 Pinot Noir ($25)

This is a Pinot Noir of character, stature, and an excellent ambassador of the variety. The aroma is a mélange of strawberries, red raspberries, and black cherries mingled with oak. In the flavor department, the true capabilities of the
Pinot Noir grape is explored to its fullest with black cherries dominating and hints of vanilla with soft oak in the background. The finish remains true to the variety and is long, complex, and if I might add, memorable. As a confirmed Pinot Noir lover, I enjoyed this wine and consider it to be an excellent buy for the money.

The Paring 2017 Chardonnay ($25)

This is a Chardonnay that is definitely made to appeal to the American taste. Big, wide-open, and complex tropical fruit flavors and aromas are the hallmarks of this wine. Pineapple is the most obvious of these tropical flavors and it carries right through to a finish that is soft, creamy, and very smooth. Even if you are a charter member of the ABC club (Anything But Chardonnay), this is a white wine you can drink and enjoy. It is so good that you may even resign from the ABC.

The Paring 2017 Syrah ($25)

If you are a red wine fan, you have probably tried a Syrah and you know what a fine wine it can be; if you have not tried one, you have missed a real treat. The aroma has the variety’s trademark of cherry and raspberry flavors with a spice and oak background. This is a soft and easy to drink wine that can, like a red Zinfandel, accompany a very broad spectrum of foods. The Paring 2017 Syrah wine takes these attributes one step further and raises the variety to new dimensions of opulence. It is an elegant wine of elegant proportions and shows exactly why Syrah wines are gaining in popularity around the world.

The Paring 2017 Sauvignon Blanc ($25)

Sauvignon Blanc grapes can produce wines in the fruity California style or the classical style. The Paring 2017 Sauvignon Blanc lives in both worlds. It has the
grassy component of the classical wines, which has been purposely played down so that the fruitiness of the California style can come through. This effect allows the wine to be served with a wider spectrum of foods, will nicely accompany poultry and the lighter meats as well as seafood, and is a standout as a sipping wine. The quality of this wine belies its very reasonable price.

The Paring 2017 Red ($25)

The name of this wine is really three letters that could portend trouble, RED.
Not knowing the grapes used to make this generic wine could result in one that you may not like. Fear not, this wine is not only good, but it also is remarkable. The components each contribute their own specific flavors and aromas to the final blend in such a way that one variety’s contribution does not overpower another, but harmonizes to produce a delightful wine.

 

By Bennet Bodenstein

 

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SoFlo BUZZ: September 2020

Children’s Harbor offering free in-home counseling for Broward County families

Families and children continue to struggle during this difficult time. The “new normal” has left them feeling anxious, stressed, and helpless and many are in crisis.

Children’s Harbor is committed to helping families and children in Broward County through their challenges with the launch of free in-home counseling, in collaboration with the Children’s Services Council of Broward County.

“We understand that the struggle faced by some families is very real,” said Tiffani Dhooge, president and CEO of Children’s Harbor. “We can help. Our Family Support Counselors provide intensive in-home services, counseling, and case management to strengthen family relationships. They can provide the tools, resources, and support to help families heal.”

Counselors from Children’s Harbor will cover improving communication, child/teen behavioral problems, attachment and bonding, co-parenting, grief and loss, adjustment difficulties, and economic hardships.

Available to Broward County residents, Children’s Harbor’s counseling services are available at no cost and completely confidential. Insurance is not required. Children’s Harbor family support counselors will make home visits and will follow all safety guidelines, including wearing masks and social distancing, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, Department of Health, and local and state government officials. Spanish speaking counselors are available.

To complete an application, families can call 954-252-3072, ext. 203 or email FSadmin@childrensharbor.org.

Correction: In our August issue the Parklander ran a release from Children’s Harbor that its annual gala had been rescheduled for September. In fact, the gala has been canceled because of COVID-19.

Alzheimer’s Association announces Southeast Florida leadership changes

The Southeast Florida Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association recently welcomed Tracey Wekar-Paige of Pompano Beach as its new executive director. Wekar-Paige brings extensive nonprofit
experience to the role.

“I am thrilled to join the Southeast Florida Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association,” Wekar-Paige said. “The collective work and passion of the volunteers and staff is inspiring. Together, we will continue to work as hard as we can each and every day to fulfill the vision of the organization – a world without Alzheimer’s disease.”

In her previous position, Wekar-Paige had served as market director for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation since 2016. Prior to that, she spent five years at the American Cancer Society in hospital systems and other leadership roles. Wekar-Paige also worked as a group manager at Bloomingdale’s and as a marketing director for Fortunoff. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

In addition to Wekar-Paige, the association announced the selection of three new board members: Precise Care Services CEO, Rebecca
Jacques, of Port St. Lucie, Yeager Sherburne CPA President John Yeager, of Miami, and WPBF 25 Meteorologist, Cris Martinez, of West Palm Beach.

Currently, there are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Association reports, including 580,000 Floridians.

Dixie Longate’s ‘Happy Hour’ comes to Fort Lauderdale museum

A sneak preview of Dixie Longate’s latest stage adventure will take place live on September 8 and 9, at Fort Lauderdale’s Museum of Discovery and Science. The shows benefits the museum and Island City Stage.

Dixie Longate is the drag persona of American actor, writer, and comedian, Kris Andersson, who has been performing the solo act Dixie’s Tupperware Party in five countries. The show has become one of the longest-running off-Broadway
tours in history. Since the COVID-19 pandemic sidelined her current stage production (Dixie’s Never Wear a Tube Top While Riding a Mechanical Bull),
she is back with a new show (Dixie’s Happy Hour); sharing some smiles and stories about how her life has been carrying on through quarantine, home-
schooling, craft-making, and a very full tumbler to keep her sane.

“Dixie’s performance shows that laughter is the best medicine during this time,” said Martin Childers, managing director of Island City Stage. “She tells
outrageously funny tales and heart-rendering accounts, including audience participation, a little bit of empowerment, and homespun wisdom.”

“We’re excited to feature this two-night sneak preview of Dixie’s Happy Hour that explores diversity through mixology to the Fort Lauderdale Dixie Longate’s ‘Happy Hour’ comes to Fort Lauderdale museum community at the Museum of Discovery and Science’s safe and clean theater,” commented
Joseph P. Cox, president, and CEO of the museum. “Dixie’s message of encouragement and kindness make her and the experience so special!”

For tickets, please visit islandcitystage.org or call 954.928.9800. Tickets must be pre-purchased. The limited capacity 300-seat AutoNation IMAX theater
at the museum will be capped at 100 tickets per performance to ensure appropriate social distancing. In addition, the theater undergoes electrostatic
sanitation prior to every show.

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Legal Matters: Coronavirus takes a swing at marriage

The most common question I have been asked during the past several months is, “Are you seeing an uptick in divorces as a result of the Coronavirus?”
The answer is yes.

Although there are many reasons besides COVID-19 for this uptick in filings, my firm attributes the financial stress, the quarantine of the people to their homes, and the uncertainty of the future as the catalysts for the rise in divorce filings.

Humans can only handle so much stress and uncertainty before it affects their mental health and personalities. The “new-normal of quarantine” now includes varying amounts of financial worries, job security, boredom, inability to escape, lack of intimacy, stress over home-schooling, stress over social-distancing, etc. There also appears to be no end in sight.

People are depressed and are realizing that life is short. Husbands and wives are spending hours each day scrolling through Facebook and Instagram and re-evaluating their past life choices. If they are not happy in any facet of their
life (including their marriage), they are choosing to throw in their cards and
go to another table. Some people are blaming their marital issues on the
pandemic to make it easier to explain to friends and family why they are seeking a divorce.

Try to remember back to your pre-pandemic routine. After accounting for work, gym, kids’ activities, Publix, driving to and from various other activities, you spent a couple of hours a day with your spouse, at most, excluding the time you both are sleeping. Now you’re Bill Murray in Groundhog’s Day, spending 24/7 with your spouse. You have nothing to dilute your time. There is no outlet. There is no place to hide (work, bar, or gym). There is no one to vent to outside of your spouse. There are only so many times you can watch The Office or bike ride around the neighborhood before you crave additional socialization.

If a couple is having trouble, most of their interactions will now be neutral or negative. Patience is short and tensions are high. Like Jerry Seinfeld or Elaine Benes, if your spouse eats their peas one at a time, likes a cotton Dockers commercial, or uses too many exclamation points, it may now be a reason for a fight. If your relationship was already shaky, the quarantine has put lighter fluid on the coals that were already burning.

Spouses also have to contend with disputes over social distancing and parenting styles. As people are working from home, they can now observe how their spouse interacts with their children during the day. Spouses are concerned over their partner’s parenting and discipline style and are criticizing
how their spouse spends their time and questions their judgment.

This list goes on and on … we have heard some divorce consults complain that they believe their spouse is irresponsible for not social distancing and/or wearing a mask, in disagreement whether to send their children to school or embarrassed that their spouse refuses to pay for private school.

The stress is piling up!

Oh, and by the way, the country is dealing with a divisive presidential race — always a fun topic to discuss when you’re already on edge.

Hopefully, the numbers in South Florida will become softer so people can start
the road back to normalcy and reduce their stress levels. If not, divorces may
continue to rise.

 

By Philip Snyder, Esq.

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Disinfecting in the age of coronavirus

  • Proper cleaning and disinfection are now more important than ever. COVID-19 has caused people to reevaluate the effectiveness and frequency of their cleaning procedures.

It is important to note that cleaning a surface – simply removing dirt and particles – is not the same as disinfecting it to kill viruses
and bacteria. And while cleaning high-traffic surfaces to remove contaminants and debris is critical, you still need to disinfect those surfaces.

Choosing the right products

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has compiled a list of disinfectant products that have been proved effective against COVID-19, including ready-to-use sprays, concentrates, and wipes. The list (published on www.epa.gov) also provides the contact time that is required to effectively kill viruses.

Selecting the right method

While using effective products is key, it is equally important to follow the proper techniques to thoroughly disinfect both hard and soft surfaces. As a result, many are turning to the use of disinfecting services to ensure the safety of their families and staff as well as their own personal safety. Before hiring a company, there are several factors that you should consider to ensure you are getting the most effective method with proven kill claims.

There are three common types of disinfecting services:

Spray/wipe methods

This standard method utilizes trigger sprays and disinfectant wipes like Lysol, Clorox, and soapy water and vinegar. The EPA advises letting the solution sit and remain wet on surfaces or objects for at least 10 minutes in order to kill 99.9 percent of germs.

This method is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and provides the least consistent coverage. It is also difficult to obtain complete coverage underneath tables, chairs, and shelves and soft surfaces like upholstery, carpets, and drapes.

Misters/fogging

This method involves saturating an area with a fine mist of disinfectant solution that deposits on surfaces based on the direction of spray and the effect of gravity. After treatment, it takes approximately one to two hours for the mist to dissipate and the air in the room to return to breathable levels.

Fogging can be highly effective; however, it is critical that the person performing the service is a trained professional that delivers absolute and even coverage of all surfaces.

Electrostatic

This method applies an electric charge to a solution to create a 3-D wrapping effect. Because the particles in the spray are positively charged, it allows the disinfectant solution to wrap around and evenly coat both hard and soft surfaces for complete coverage from top to bottom. The result is a uniform coating of sanitizer or disinfectant on sprayed objects, including hard-to-reach areas that other methods miss.

Electrostatic sprayers can cover a large area in minutes, and people can enter the room within five to ten minutes after service is completed.

Safety compliance regulations

As businesses re-open their doors, they now have new responsibilities and requirements to ensure they are complying with COVID-19 safety regulations, which includes providing a disinfected and safe environment for employees and customers.

Health and wellness companies like LiveWell 1440 (www.livewell1440.com) in Fort Lauderdale are available to guide business owners through the myriad of safety requirements to make sure they comply with the orders and avoid citations or shutdowns.

Regardless of the method you choose, routine cleaning and disinfecting are a necessary part of reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Using the CDC’s recommended best practices and maintaining safe daily habits will help reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and keep the community safer.

 

By Spiro Edgos

Spiro Edgos is the owner and operator of The Bin Doctor located
in Coral Springs. The Bin Doctor provides commercial and
residential interior disinfecting services as well as dumpster and
bin sanitizing services. Visit bindoctorUSA.com to learn more.

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