Florida Closing All State-Run COVID-19 Testing Sites Ahead of Storm

[brooklynite]

Source: Spectrum News 9

As Florida struggles to contain an ongoing surge of COVID-19 cases, Tropical Storm Isaias formed late Wednesday in the Caribbean.

So, in preparation, the state is closing its testing sites at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Florida’s Division of Emergency Management said Wednesday in a news release that its testing sites simply can’t hold up to the threat of a potential tropical cyclone because they include tents and other free-standing structures.

“Remember, they’re just in tents so even if we get only 20 mph winds... even that’s the kinda thing that can blow over tents and can be a dangerous, so it does make sense why they just want to take the safe route and take the stuff down,” Spectrum News Meteorologist Brian McClure explained.

Read more: https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2020/07/29/florida-closing-all-state-run-covid-19-testing-sites-ahead-of-storm

---

I guess, when it rains it pours...

[beachbumbob]

1. 7-12 days to get results, now almost a week closure, what could go wrong?

[Jirel]

2. Sucks, but not unreasonable.

The staff there need to prep too. They’re outdoors in flimsy tents. They’re already at a lot of risk doing that work, and many thanks to them for doing it.

However, here’s one more area of disaster planning Florida failed. What are they going to do about people who’ll need shelter?

[Aviation Pro]

3. The majority of spaghetti tracks show Isaias east of Florida

Only UKMET, which is a solid forecast tool, is showing the storm making landfall. Because of its weight in forecasting, the NHC has it close to Florida's east coast.

My guess is that it will shift east as the tracks come more into alignment.

[Chainfire]

4. Florida can finally get their numbers under control

I live in North West Florida where there is nearly zero chance of any effects from this storm. Our testing sites closed yesterday and won't reopen before Tuesday. Now if we can somehow get all of those bodies hid......I guess the governor thinks we are all fools.

[BumRushDaShow]

5. Whenever we had storms here in the Philly metro area, the "outdoors" test sites were closed

and that included both the "drive-through" sites that had the big tents (for storing the specimens/reagents/PPE, etc) and canopies, including those that cars traverse under, as well as sites that were "walk-ups" that also had canopies (smaller ones) with chairs for people to be tested while seated, and this was in the 5-county metro area. But any testing done inside (usually in some designated facility and/or pharmacy) kept going.

It's bad enough when you see beach umbrellas go flying in the wind at the shore, threatening to impale people (and in some cases, severely injuring people), let alone something like a giant canopy going aloft.

These pics were from NYC back in April - https://www.amny.com/coronavirus/heavy-winds-and-rain-force-new-york-city-covid-19-drive-thru-tests-sites-to-shut/

[IronLionZion]

6. They'll get fewer positive tests and DeSantis can brag about that

Seriously, people are going to huddle together to shelter from the storm wherever. First responders will get really close to people who need to be rescued. Masking might go down as people get wet and frustrated with life. Not a good situation for controlling a pandemic.

[Bayard]

7. Oh......crap

Its just not good to live in Florida now. I have several old friends there that I've lost touch with over the years.

[ancianita]

8. Any excuse.

Once Isaias hits the mountains of Hispaniola it won't become a Cat 1 hurricane, but will stay a tropical storm, something that Florida has always handled, but leadership needs as a pretext to just not count the sick and the dead.

[ananda]

9. Sucks to be in Florida now.

Sucks to be in Texas too, but not quite as bad..
no hurricanes here in Austin anyway.

[Roc2020]

10. that should help by delaying worried and concerned people from

getting a test for maybe the most dangerous disease ever. way to go Florida. way to go.