Tag: COVID

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One year anniversary of COVID-19

Believe it or not, March marks a year since our lives changed drastically. At the beginning of March 2020, COVID-19 spread throughout the world, requiring individuals to forgo their usual routines and adapt to a new lifestyle. Now, a year later, we are living our lives very differently.

Not only are we more conscious of our surroundings, but we are more hygienic. For example, if you go to a store or a gym, you will see employees or trainers sanitizing equipment and merchandise every few minutes. We spend more time washing our hands and taking care of ourselves than we ever did before.

“I forgot my mask!” is a common phrase you catch yourself saying, and traveling out of the country or state is an all-too-real distant dream. With all the isolated time we have been given during the pandemic, we have learned how to slow down, organize our homes and closets way too  many times, bake banana bread, and enjoy the outdoors.

With all these new hobbies we have acquired, all we want to do is to continue living our lives the way we did a year ago, but it is not that simple.

University of Michigan senior, Donna Neuman, longs for an in person graduation ceremony more than anything. “I really just want a graduation and nothing else right now is important to me. My friends and I have turned a lot of negatives into positives; for example, instead of going out with friends we hang in together. Those things are replaceable, but graduating is not.”

Our lives have changed in many more ways than one. As we sit and reflect on the one-year anniversary of COVID-19, it is hard to believe that it has only been a year.

When I think about the timeline it almost feels like a century. Masks are a part of our uniform and getting tested for COVID is the new trend.

Since it is risky for older adults with health restrictions to spend time with their younger loved ones, we have utilized FaceTime or Zoom to still get our personal family time.

Fortunately, the vaccine has been distributed to many essential workers, and soon to the rest of the world.

With the new year, all we can hope for is to say goodbye to COVID-19 and hello to living. By March 2022, I hope for good health, love, and for our lives to be more adventurous and spent with the ones we love most.

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Local funeral directors shoulder COVID pandemic

With the COVID-19 pandemic putting stress on healthcare workers and first responders (not to mention the rest of us) what is it doing to local funeral homes and the people who staff them?

Deaths due to COVID in the first five months of the pandemic raised total deaths between 25 percent to 27 percent in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Between March 15 and August 15, Broward County recorded 1,638 deaths due to COVID-19. In Palm Beach County, numbers were similar, with 1,671 deaths. A five-month average for Palm Beach County, pre-COVID, is 6,182; for Broward, 6,361, according to state statistics.

Those aren’t complete figures, explains the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s office, because tracking COVID deaths after August 15 was taken away from coroners offices.

Thomas Wojciechowski, location manager at Babione Funeral Home in Boca Raton, which services all faiths, including Catholics, Protestants and some non-Orthodox Jewish families, says during these trying times, they have found ways to accommodate their clients.

“It’s a unique and challenging time,” says Wojciechowski, emphasizing that they follow all CDC guidelines, including social distancing, sanitizing, allowing only 10 attendees in the chapel at one time, and utilizing Zoom for inclusive ceremonies.

Luckily, Wojciechowski says, they didn’t experience much of an increase in deaths over the previous non-COVID year, partially because Palm Beach County wasn’t as hard hit as other counties, such as Miami-Dade.

Babione offers a “remember when” Zoom panel where people can comment in real-time, share photos, and connect with other grieving friends and family.

“People are lonely and alone,” Wojciechowski says. “We make every effort to include everyone who wants to participate.” Currently, they are planning larger-scale remembrances six months down the line, waiting for more conducive times. “Families find comfort in knowing they can come together in the near future.”

Babione and Wojciechowski were lucky that they experienced no shortages of supplies and Wojciechowski is heartened that his staff and community have come together.

“People are going the extra mile,” he says. “It restores your hope in people.”

On a personal level, he says some days are more trying than others and he turns to both his daughter and his dog for comfort. Additionally, he says, “I find comfort knowing I’m helping families remember their loved ones and celebrating their lives.”

With a large elderly population of Jewish seniors in Boca Raton, many of whom have ties to hard-hit New York, the Jewish funeral homes worked long and hard in the beginning of March.

Steven Kanowitz, 78, the funeral director at Gutterman’s, which has locations in Boca Raton and Long Island, NY, was in the thick of the pandemic. His staff worked from 7:30 am-12 midnight from March through July. “They got up in the dark and went home in the dark,” he said. “It was the toughest time we ever had.”

“The pandemic is a total heartbreak both for families and for our staff,” says  Kanowitz, who has been in the business for 60 years. “It’s always on my mind.”

He noted that many casket companies were stressed for inventory, and flight delays and cancelations had a big impact on the transport of bodies from Florida to New York.

“I had to stay in constant contact with families to make sure their loved ones arrived safely,” he remembers.

Kanowitz, who describes himself as a happy person in a sad business, said he has empathy for people who’ve lost their loved ones.

“You need to be sensitive and put yourself in other people’s shoes,” he says.

Not a stranger to disasters, Kanowitz worked with many families in New York after Sept. 11 and knew 22 people personally that he had to bury.

“But,” he says, “You can’t compare; the COVID-19 pandemic is the toughest time we’ve seen.”

Keith Kronish of Kronish Funeral Services adjacent to Century Village in Boca Raton had a similar experience.

As a designated essential worker, Kronish never shut down and worked from home. Following CDC guidelines and those of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), Kronish says funeral directors were quietly and respectfully taking care of their communities and doing everything they could.

“We worked around the clock, not by the clock,” he says.

He characterizes the difference between the virus’s impact in New York and Florida as the outbreak in New York was more acute, while the outbreak in Florida was more chronic. In New York, cemeteries, which usually accommodate six to eight burials a day had to do as many as 20.

“There’s not enough days in the week to accommodate all these burials,” Kronish says.

In some respects he said the virus has been an equalizer.

People of means who may have wanted to hire a private plane to fly their loved one home found that private planes didn’t accommodate caskets.

He recounts a sad story from one of the worst months of the outbreak. A traditionally observant family whose loved one died from the virus, had only the rabbi, the wife, and one of the three children at the gravesite service.

The other two children stayed in the car and in normal times, as many as 400 to 500 people could have been in attendance.

Despite the traditional Jewish prohibition of open caskets, Kronish said many families were comforted to view their loved ones in the casket for a last viewing.

“They want to know their loved one is at peace,” he
said.

Usually in Jewish tradition, there is a quick turnaround from the time of death to the time of burial, which was delayed by the circumstances, says Kronish.

Also, the traditional 7-day mourning period in Jewish tradition, known as the shivah, was canceled.

“Emotionally, this was very difficult for many families,” said Kronish.

“But, we adapted quickly,” he says. “We got very proficient on Zoom, our phones, and iPads and ordered enhanced camera and sound capabilities so that people in multiple states could participate in the services.”

On the other hand, Mike Sirowitz, director of the Beth-El Mausoleum in Boca Raton (the only mausoleum on the grounds of a synagogue in North America), said he has not seen a major increase in need over the past eight to nine months.

He estimates he’s had eight burials due to the virus.

However, like Wojciechowski at Babione, he says his numbers may not be a fair representation of the number of deaths, as the virus has hit harder in communities of color and lower socio-economic status.

He also notes that there was a parallel decrease in other causes of deaths, such as accidents (including car accidents) or heart attacks from playing sports, as people stayed home.

One change Sirowitz has seen is a 30 percent to 40 percent increase in pre-need sales. Usually, he says people are reluctant to prepare for this eventuality, but COVID-19 has brought the issue to the forefront.

“COVID-19 is a wake-up call for many and has created a sense of urgency,” he says.

With a vaccine on the horizon, things are looking up and spring offers new possibilities of hope.

“I don’t know when we will be through this, but I know we will come through it OK,” Wojciechowski says.

“People are feeling lonely and isolated in these trying times,” he says. “You can’t put a price on how much a hug means to someone when they’re grieving,” he says.

“I wish I could hug and console my clients,” says Wojciechowski. “I miss that and am looking forward to when I can hug them again.”

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Gym and fitness during a pandemic

With gyms closed, or at a limited capacity, many people have begun
to work out at home or outdoors. Even though this lets you work out when you want with no set time frames, it is often harder to get a good workout without proper equipment.

We always recommit ourselves to achieve our ideal selves every new year, and fitness and health are often a priority. Without a gym or crazy fad diet, is it possible to stay on track?

“When it comes to exercise, keep it simple,” says Nick Miller, a certified
personal trainer. “Just stay active, especially if you are not too familiar with programming your own workouts. Choose activities that you know how to do and keep you out of pain.”

If you are looking for a wide range of home workouts that will work every part of your body, explore YouTube.

With a click of a button, you can find great alternatives and exercises that do not require equipment.

Want to do an upper body workout? No problem. Search terms such as “upper equipment” or “arm workout no equipment” and a plethora of work out options will be available.

With no end in sight for our new normal, the new year is an excellent time to recommit to our goals and shed some excuses, along with pounds.

According to Miller, “The shutdown gave a lot of people an excuse not to work out, but since the economy opened back up, we have actually seen steady growth in the number of clients looking to improve their lifestyle.

“Being that we’re not a gym, clients are very comfortable in our private facility working one on one with their trainer or therapist.”

It all starts with you. An individual needs to be in the right mindset. Practice mindfulness exercises to focus on the mind and reduce anxiety.

If you fear going to the gym alone or have health restrictions, grab household items, and get creative with at-home workouts. By using items like a chair or couch, you can move your muscles and body in more ways than none.

If a person is looking to make a change to their well-being, they have to want it. Working out is only part of the plan. What a person puts into their body every day weighs more. There needs to be a balance of eating well and keeping active.

“Nutrition can get pretty involved. And every other week, there’s a new fad diet out there that doesn’t work in the long run.

“Sure, you can lose a lot of weight in the short term, but as soon as you start eating normally again, the weight starts coming back,” Miller said.

In the end, it depends on the individual, on what they want to do, and what they are comfortable with. By setting realistic goals and creating a consistent routine, individuals will be on their way to a healthier and happier 2021.

“My advice for someone looking to lose some weight without a fad. Eat less more often and keep it clean. Stay away from processed foods and refined sugars,” Miller said.

 

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Delray mom writes kids book on wearing masks

Delray Beach resident Shannon Q. McDonald, a mom of two young children, wanted to find a way to tell her kids about face masks in kid-friendly language, while also making them laugh at the same time.

To do so, she wrote Remember to Smile, a children’s picture book for kids ages 2-6 years old that describes and illustrates different styles of masks and when to wear them.

“I have a 3- and 5-year-old, and as a parent, I look for ways to explain some of the new COVID-related realities they are seeing in an age-appropriate way,” McDonald says. “I wanted something that was fun, but still carried a message about one of the most visual changes they are encountering in schools and daycares – face masks.”

As more and more places require masks, and young children have to experience so many new, confusing, and sometimes scary things, Remember to Smile adds playfulness and laughs around masks. With the help of some giggles and an adorable wiener dog based on the author’s family pup, Remember to Smile will help children become more comfortable with the idea of face masks, and encourage them to keep smiling, even if it has to be hidden from sight at times.

“Things look a bit different these days as we go out and about, especially for those little ones that are attending daycare or school this Fall,” McDonald said. “As our kids start to see and wear masks, it can be somewhat confusing. I hope that regardless of the various viewpoints about mask-wearing right now, people understand that this is a reality for our children. The most helpful thing we can do as parents is helping them to feel more comfortable and at ease when seeing anyone wearing them.”

The book is available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon as a paperback, hardcover or e-book.

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The holidays during COVID

 

Rabbi Stollman

Approaching the 9th month of the pandemic, we are faced with the challenge, yet again, of how to celebrate a holiday during a time of isolation and separation.

As many families cancelled their annual Thanksgiving dinners with  relatives in order to remain safe, we continue to experience the ongoing sense of loss and grief. I am not sure we will ever get to a stage of acceptance.

Hanukkah, known as the Festival of Lights, runs from December 10 through December 18. How can it help illuminate a dark and sad time for us? Originally intended to be a private celebration at home, hanukkiyahs, or menorahs, are displayed in the window for the passerby to enjoy. This year, they will continue to light the darkness, even if no one is on the street to see it. As the light grows with each night of the eight-branched candelabrum, we hope to bring more light into our world. The light commemorates the legend of the single cruse of oil that lasted eight nights. We traditionally eat foods fried in oil such as latkes, potato pancakes, or sufganiyot, jelly donuts. Due to the influence of other December holidays, it has also become the main gift- giving holiday for Jews in North America.

Most people do not know this, but because Hanukkah does not originate in the Bible, it is considered a minor festival. While Jews often gather for parties and public candle lightings, it is perfectly acceptable (although maybe not preferable) to celebrate with those only in your household. If not, virtual gatherings may be an option as well, or following CDC guidelines for celebrating outdoors.

The word Hanukkah comes from the Hebrew word for dedication, and it is derived from the Maccabees’ rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. While we are not celebrating as we might have in the past, we can rededicate ourselves to what is most important. The moral of the Hanukkah story in the ancient texts reminds us that “Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit says the Lord of Hosts” (Zech 4:6). Faith and hope can be more useful than strength sometimes.

I encourage you to see this holiday as an opportunity to help bring light into the world– from donating money or gifts to charitable organizations, called tzedakah. While we may feel physically restricted this year, we are still blessed with our religious freedoms to celebrate and many of us have the means to help others.

Let us remember the importance of the blessings we say on the fi rst night as we light the lone candle. In addition to thanking God for enabling us to fulfi ll the mitzvah or commandment of kindling the holiday lights, we thank God for helping us reach this season, and the great miracle that took place for our ancestors. No matter what we face in the world right now, we still can thank God for what we have, including the blessing of each new day and the hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Pastor Andy Hagen

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 We have been walking through a unique kind of darkness these past eight months. Without warning, we were plunged into darkness when the COVID pandemic arrived. In this darkness, we experienced fear of contracting the illness, worry, and grief for those affected, anxiety due to a shaken economy, tension over increased political division, and confusion over safe practices. The greatest darkness may well be a sense of isolation from each other.

The blessing of belonging to a community of faith is that our members have had many opportunities to “walk in the light” together. Our Bible studies and small groups have continued to meet through the blessing of Zoom and in person when safe. I’ll never forget the smiles of joy the first time some of our seniors figured out how to join us online! Safely distanced, we’ve been able to worship together since May. It is a strange thing as a pastor to preach to a room of bank robbers! One woman shared with me that her church is the only thing that has kept her from loneliness and despair. “How are those who don’t have a church getting through?” she wondered. Not well, I fear, for the darkness is deep.

My family has also been looking forward to the ray of light expected with our first grandchild’s arrival in January. Our weeks and months have been filled with the same kind of excitement and anticipation that inspired Isaiah to share words of hope to those people walking in darkness- “For to us a child is born, a son is given.” Isaiah 9:6 May such joy dawn on us all.

 

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Dating during the pandemic

In addition to all of the tragic circumstances, COVID-19 has thrown romance for a loop.

Over the last seven months of the pandemic, individuals continue to long for social interaction, whether it is virtual or socially distanced. Before the pandemic, we did not know how fortunate we were to easily meet with a friend for coffee or fly and visit a different state until those types of activities were taken from us in a matter of months.

Josh and I began dating a month before the pandemic began. Right when we were getting to know each other we had to begin thinking about what mattered to us and how we would make our new relationship work during the pandemic.

Both Josh and I are very family oriented and have grandparents with health conditions. This meant that we had to create some sort of plan where we could still see each other, but also respect our families and their health.

We did not want to have one of us move in with the other’s family because it would not be fair to the other, so we had to weigh our options.

I decided to reach out to my older sister, Stephanie. She had already moved away to quarantine with her boyfriend in his hometown. Stephanie graciously offered Josh and I the opportunity to quarantine together in her vacant Miami apartment.

Two months into our relationship, Josh and I, along with my 9-month-old puppy Ellie, moved in.

A lot of my friends thought we were crazy.

“How are you going to quarantine with a guy you have only been dating for a month?”

“Isn’t it too soon?”

“Julie, are you sure?”

Sure, my friends’ comments were valid, but they were also wrong. The quarantine brought Josh and I closer and allowed us to get comfortable faster.

With all the time we had by ourselves we were able to see each other’s strengths and differences. We learned more about each other and created some of the best memories. I learned that Josh makes a mean steak and Josh learned that he could always count on baked goods due to my love of baking.

Around the beginning of May, my sister returned. I moved back in with my parents and Josh prepared to move into his new apartment. I work from home and Josh works at his law firm. Since the shutdown, his firm has put in strict social distance protocols in accordance with CDC guidelines. We see each other often as well as our families, and only surround ourselves with people we have been around from the start of the pandemic.

As the pandemic continues, some people choose to date online, some continue with the traditional dating route in person, and some have just stopped dating.

“It’s weird. You want to be conscious of what is going on in the world but at the same time you don’t want to be alone,” Jessica Harper, 23-year-old Florida resident, said.

Online dating sites report record use as singles look for someone to connect with and bring some light into these uncertain times.

According to the popular dating site Hinge, messages on the application have increased by 30% since the pandemic began. Dating in the age of COVID-19 is simple for some and difficult for others. Instead of fearing rejection, ghosting, or catfishing, you now have to worry about infection.

College senior, Edramy Mancheno says, “I am not dating during COVID because I don’t trust random people I don’t know; so I don’t know if they’re safe from the virus or not. Since I live with my parents there is a higher risk of them being infected too.” “I definitely feel like I’m going on less dates. I’m trying to figure out beforehand if this is someone I’d even enjoy a date with because of the risk of COVID,” Harper said.

But how do you figure out beforehand the risks of meeting someone? Do they wash their hands regularly? Who are their contacts?

We have to pick and choose what is important to us. No one knows when the pandemic will subside, so why stop living your life? Get out there, whether on a virtual or socially-distanced date, depending on your comfort level.

 

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Coral Springs Resident and President of Sign Greeters, Ivonne Simon, Delivering Smiles!

Now 38 Owners Across 11 States

“We are currently delivering smiles for all occasions and celebrations,” said co founder and president of Sign Greeters, Ivonne Simon, from Coral Springs “These days, people are looking for new and different reasons to celebrate!”

Sign Greeters, a popular national yard greeting sign company, has built a brand that helped contribute to an era of drive-by parties, small outdoor gatherings, and Zoom parties. As such, the yard sign business has boomed, delivering satisfaction for both the clients and the owners during the pandemic.

Sign Greeters was founded by Ohio State University sorority sisters Ivonne Simon and Stacie Francombe (from Atlanta, GA). In March 2020, the two successful businesswomen saw the demand for the Sign Greeters business. With Ivonne’s top recruiting skills and Stacie’s 20 plus years of marketing, they had the perfect team.

“Stacie and I saw an incredible vision for this company during a time of uncertainty,” says Ivonne. “We wanted to help families during the pandemic – both families who were looking for new ways to celebrate birthdays and special occasions, and those who were looking for a new source of income after losing jobs. This was a natural fit for so many, who are now becoming regional owners of a company that is both meaningful and profitable.”

The Sign Greeters brand now has 38 owners across 11 states, in less than four months, and it’s picking up speed.

From a birthday, graduation, or baby shower to bar/bat mitzvahs, Christmas/Hanukkah, or Welcome Home, Sign Greeters has the yard signs that have helped families across the country celebrate special occasions and bring joy to all those who see them.

To order your Sign in Parkland, Coral Springs or Boca, please contact Ivonne at 954-459-1859. To place your yard greeting order in other areas of South Florida, or to find out more about owning your own Sign Greeters Business, please visit our website www.signgreeters.com.

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With COVID-19 there are no ‘immaculate’ assumptions

If you feel confused by the ever-changing data and recommendations surrounding COVID-19, you are not alone. As a new virus emerges, doctors and scientists are learning new information almost daily. Hence, the need to modify recommendations as this information arises.

If I say one thing to help guide you through this process, it is that as long as the virus is around, you must take measures to mitigate the risk of getting and spreading it. Over the last few months, many of us have witnessed two extremes: Those who drive alone in their car while wearing gloves, a mask, and a face shield, and those who partake in large group gatherings with no social distancing nor PPE of any kind.

Regardless of whether you fall into one of these categories or somewhere in the middle, I think we can agree that we all want to do whatever we can to keep our loved ones out of harm’s way.

The question I get asked the most from family and friends is regarding what measures to take when visiting with others. Whether it is a party for Grandma’s 90th birthday or a relatively small family gathering at a lake house, everyone wants to know a definitive answer on doing the right thing in the age of COVID-19.

Although there are evidence-based answers, anyone watching one of the numerous news networks or various social media feeds knows the research is ever-changing. Even those of us who have been critically reviewing journal articles as part of our career are relatively confused as to what the perfect answer is. As I said, you are not alone!

All of that being said, I would like to offer what I think is a risk-mitigating, comfort level approach to keeping you and your loved ones as safe as possible during group gatherings and family visits. For this, we need to make a few assumptions:

Assumption 1: When someone says they tested negative, assume this means they still could be infected with the virus.

Yes, I know this one is confusing, but it is very important. PCR and Rapid tests of all kinds (including flu) have always been known to be unreliable – this is not unique to COVID-19. This means that you should always inquire about symptoms, such as fever, cough, loss of smell/taste, etc. (refer to the CDC website for a current symptom list; cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/ symptoms-testing/ symptoms.html). If a person tests negative and has any of the listed COVID-19 symptoms, you must assume they are infected, and the test didn’t pick it up.

Assumption 2: Asymptomatic patients can still transmit the virus.

If someone says, “I tested positive but didn’t have any symptoms, therefore, I am fine,” be cautious. Although it seems that asymptomatic patients have a lower likelihood
of transmitting the virus, the evidence is debatable and from a personal standpoint, I wouldn’t bank on a lower potential transmission rate equating near zero chance, especially when dealing with any of the vulnerable populations. Play it safe!

Assumption 3: Assume that anyone with a fever of 100.4°F or greater has COVID-19.

For those who are taking temperatures at their door, more power to you. Although it is surely an uncomfortable welcome at the front door, it is one of the few truly objective measures we can take, even if it won’t screen in every infected person. Understand though, a temperature of 99° Fahrenheit is not a true fever. I grew up thinking anything above a 98.6° meant you were hospital-bound. We all have very normal fluctuations in our core temperatures throughout the day, but a fever doesn’t truly start until 100.4° Fahrenheit.

Assumption 4: Assume everyone has COVID-19.

Clearly, this will be the most controversial assumption, but I believe a smart approach, especially when dealing with the elderly population and those with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or lung disease. Assume everyone has COVID and take precautions based on that. Everyone may seem okay or say they are fine, but don’t stop practicing strict hand hygiene or whatever form of social distancing you usually partake in.

If you don’t personally believe this is as bad as the news is portraying, the simple effort of regular hand sanitizing/washing and wearing a face mask during group gatherings could have maximum outcomes if it means you could prevent the spread to a vulnerable person.

Should you worry so much about your healthy 3-year-old or 16-year-old getting very ill? Not nearly as much as the vulnerable populations, but you should worry about who they will potentially pass it on to. Thankfully, although children can indeed get ill, they seem to be the safest population when it comes to COVID-19 with mortality and morbidity rates seemingly lower than influenza, but this doesn’t mean that they are not vectors.

At the end of the day, we all want to keep our loved ones as safe as possible, but unless you live in a HEPA filter bubble, I don’t think there is a 100% perfect approach in this COVID world we live in; however, you can mitigate risk. Personal interactions are core to our sanity and mental health. If you understand the risks and take precautions to mitigate them when you can, you can certainly achieve these interactions while maintaining relative safety.

By Dr. Jahn Avarello

Dr. Avarello was the Division Chief of Pediatric Emergency Medicine for the Cohen Children’s Medical Center of NY for the past 9 years and is now the Florida Regional Medical Director for PM Pediatrics Urgent Care (1st site due to open in the Sawgrass Center this fall). He is currently seeing patients for acute care needs virtually at PMPanywhere.com.

 

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The “New Normal” changing travel

Let’s go Rafting!

A friend on the west coast texted the invitation. The annual gathering for rafting is on, with Colorado allowing those activities based on their reopening. After holing up at home for three months, never venturing beyond two miles from where I sleep, it was exciting. Soon I was searching for flights.

Changes in Flying

I have lived through change in travel. During spring break over 25 years ago, I was with a group of college dorm mates driving south from Canada. Crossing the border, the only question the friendly agent asked the five of us was, “Are you all Canadians?” A quick nod, a verbal yes, and we were off, headed down I-95 to Florida for the first time.

Since then, I have traveled often between Canada, the US, and overseas. Air travel felt not much different than hopping on a bus. The world felt smaller.

Just over a month after the horrible attack on 9/11, I was flying through London on my way to Rome, and for the first time, I experienced the enhanced security that was being established.

Over two hours in a line to go through the security check during transfer was very stressful. Times had changed forever.

Over time, things have improved. I was traveling regularly, and sometimes I would go two weeks around the world internationally. I got used to spending more time in airline lounges. TSA precheck and Global Entry made my life going through security easier. I again started to be comfortable arriving less than one hour before the gate closed.

Limited flights

A three to four hour flight with my trusty mask, and a quick in and out through the airport, separated me from a fun weekend with guys I had only seen on video chat, rafting down the cold waters in Colorado. Or so I thought.

Soon I realized, the number of direct flights to Denver from Florida is near zero. In fact, there was only one flight and it landed near midnight. Which means I would need to stay a night that I wasn’t planning, or take a chance at a connection at one of the hubs.

After a day of back and forth, playing out the odds in my mind, I decided to drop out.

The world no longer feels small

I started to wonder, will traveling change after this?

Not able to just travel to NYC to see my sister, or Pennsylvania to visit my parents, or the wedding of a friend in Canada makes me realize the vast distance that now separates us. We are all fighting our individual battles against COVID-19, the illness and the psychological stress.

In a couple of years, I hope we will look back to the current day as a blip in our ever-shrinking world. But for now, we are blessed to live where others come to vacation, and expand your local connections. It’s amazing what you can find in our little corner of South Florida, and many interesting experiences that you can have and still obey the safety rules to minimize risk. We will continue to share our experiences in adapting to the New Normal, and you can send in yours if you want to share by sending an email to submissions@theparklander.com, or click on submit on our homepage.

By Li Pan

Posted on

CORAL SPRINGS COMMISSION

During the last several months, so much has taken place in our nation, state, and here locally in Coral Springs. We never imagined we would approach our “Back to School” season and still face COVID-19 as a global health issue; yet, here we are.

We are stepping into August with an unfortunate rise in positive cases in the State of Florida; these numbers showcase how critical it is for residents and businesses to comply with Emergency Orders in order to mitigate the spread of this virus. We remind the community to follow CDC guidelines, stay informed with all Broward County Emergency Orders, and be vigilant when leaving your homes.

Mark your calendars because the primary election in Florida is on August 18th! As citizens of the land of the free, it is our duty to safeguard our democracy and express our right to vote. If you are not a registered voter, you may still register to vote for the general election and can do so online at www. RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov. For more information visit www. browardsoe.org.

The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season is expected to be busier than in previous years. It is important for our community to be prepared beforehand to stay safe. Here are tips to ensure you and your family are prepared for this year’s hurricane season:

  • Make an emergency plan that includes your evacuation zone and make sure all members of your household know and understand the hurricane plan.
  • Gather supplies ahead of time including medication, disinfectant supplies, cloth face coverings, pet supplies, and anything else you consider to be essential.
  • Strengthen your home by decluttering drains and gutters, bring the outside furniture inside, and consider investing in hurricane shutters.

For more details on how to properly prepare for hurricanes, please visit www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

Stay tuned and up to date by visiting www.coralsprings.org and following our social media accounts, also make sure to text the keyword CORALSPRINGS to 888-777 for important updates.

Our August Commission Meeting will take place virtually on August 5 at 9 a.m., and August 19 at 6:30 p.m.; residents are invited to watch and offer public comment. Meetings are aired on CityTV, Blue Stream Channels 25, 25.2, 725 and on AT&T U-Verse channel 99. Meetings are also live streamed.

As always, if you would like to schedule an appointment with any of your City Officials, please call 954- 344- 5911.

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