COVID-19 prompts 'call to action'

City officials in Jacksonville and the Beaches have enacted a series of emergency safety measures, closing city buildings, limiting the number of patrons permitted in an establishment and canceling events through March in an effort to flatten the curve.
Jacksonville Beach Mayor Charlie Latham said COVID-19 has prompted an unprecedented call to action “beyond what we’ve ever experienced in the face of an impending hurricane,” he said.
“It’s keeping us busy. I spoke to Mayor [Lenny] Curry and he’s closed down all the public facilities in Jacksonville and I committed that we’d do the same so we are all on the same page. We have to do it together in order to make it work.”
According to Latham, city officials will work together to limit the spread of the virus. Closures will remain in effect through March. Duval County schools were scheduled to remain closed through March 22. Governor Ron DeSantis announced late Tuesday plans to extend school closures through April 15 and cancel all standardized testing.
“The safety and well-being of our citizens, our neighbors, and those who visit our beautiful community are of the utmost importance. At this time, in an abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 virus, all public events put on by and hosted by the city of Jacksonville Beach have been canceled through March 31. We will work to keep you updated for events that may be rescheduled,” said Latham. “Though this, like so many other situations in the world right now, is unfortunate, we are doing our part to prevent and control what we can. It is our hope that taking these steps will lessen any risk or potential repercussions that are being caused by this global pandemic.”
As the worldwide impact continues to evolve, what that means for the Beaches long term remains to be seen. Residents are encouraged to self-quarantine if they’ve been exposed to any person exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, known as coronavirus. Social distancing is also encouraged to maintain a safe perimeter between people and lessening the chance of it spreading.
“Everybody handles things differently. For some people it’s panic, for others it’s preparation. We just ask people to use their better judgment. We can’t control what happens on private property but we hope that everybody will join us in a serious effort to isolate,” said Latham. “I would discourage people from attending large parties at private entities because it’s too dangerous right now. It can hit anybody. I think everybody needs to realize that.”
The busy spring season took a huge hit starting with the devastating call from TPC Commissioner Jay Monahan to suspend the Tournament Players Championship indefinitely. Monahan called the decision to cancel “the right thing” after discussions with sponsors and players, many of whom were struggling with logistics ahead of a proposed travel ban. It will not be rescheduled.
Restaurants and bars are expected to experience record losses as the number of patrons is limited. Alcohol sales are banned after midnight through March. In Jacksonville, Mayor Lenny Curry ordered a 30-day closure of all bars and nightclubs effective immediately following a recommendation from the CDC.
“The beach mayors are all onboard. This is fast-changing. The order also includes no alcohol sales from midnight to 8 a.m. for most establishments. We are working on information now to provide to our business community because there will be some exceptions. This action is to focus on places where people are in close contact,” said Atlantic Beach Mayor Ellen Glasser.
“This is being done in the name of public safety, as part of the effort to save lives and flatten the curve. We do know this will have a huge economic impact as we have already seen elsewhere. Mayor Curry addresses this decision and possible efforts to seek financial relief. This is not a time for panic but rather this a time to work together, as we address this public health emergency together.”
Throughout the Beaches, such events as the St. Paul’s Catholic School Carnival, March 19 through 22; Duval Car Club Cancer Awareness Show, March 21; Jax Beach Volleyball Tournament, March 21; Pet Adoption Fair, March 22; Planning Commission Meeting, March 22; Special Magistrate Hearing, March 24; Canine Companions for Independence, March 28; Vintage Flea Market, March 28; and Seagate Shuffle, March 29 were also cancelled.
Players by the Sea also suspended its production of August Wilson’s “Two Trains Running” and the preview of its upcoming season. All rehearsals, performances, classes and other events will be postponed. A statement posted on its Website asked that patrons “please keep our theater at heart as we support each other with kindness and implement responsible preparation through this difficult and uncertain time.”
Late Tuesday afternoon, executive director Sam Veal announced that city officials pulled the plug on the 30th annual Springing the Blues Festival which was planned April 3 through 5 in Jacksonville Beach. Veal had previously updated fans March 12 in the hopes that the milestone anniversary event was still a go.
“Early this evening, I received a text advising me that the city of Jacksonville Beach was revoking the Special Event Permit for Springing the Blues, thus cancelling the 2020 Springing the Blues Festival effective [immediately]. I spoke by phone with Mayor Charlie Latham and he explained that this difficult decision was made as a result of the latest federal, state, and local emergency mandates and directives issued as part of the national comprehensive response to the COVID-19 Virus Pandemic and the ongoing efforts to contain the virus's spread,” said Veal.
According to Veal, there are no plans at this time to reschedule the 2020 Springing the Blues. He will implement a festival cancellation plan once he receives the Special Event Permit Revocation Notice from the city of Jacksonville Beach.
“I called [Mayor] Charlie [Latham] and the first thing he said was, ‘Boy, bad news travels fast, doesn’t it?’ He was very apologetic. Charlie has been a great friend of the festival for many, many years, as was his dad. I know it breaks his heart that they had to make this call. A lot of this is heartbreaking for a lot of people. It’s just a tough road to hoe,” said Veal of losing the revenue from merchandising, food and marketplace vendor sales, and reserved VIP seating packages.
“Sometimes you’re the hammer, and sometimes you’re the nail. And boy, do I feel like the nail right now. We are certainly singing the blues now."
Said Latham, “Nobody is more appreciative of Sam and Springing the Blues than I am. I can’t imagine how disappointing it [is] to cancel the 30th,” he said. “We’re going to default on the side of safety and make sure we’re not going to put people in harm’s way.”