WHAT TO KNOW NOW:

Florida COVID-19 Update

Monday, March 23, 2020

Coronavirus in Florida by the numbers:

1,007 total cases in Florida

13 Floridians have died

State figures show more than 9.700 people have tested for the virus

Closures and Essential Worker & Business Guidance Information:

All county beaches and public beach parking closed at 11:59 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2020 and plan to stay
closed until April 4, 2020.

Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis issued an Executive Order that directed all restaurants and food establishments in the state to suspend on premise food and alcohol for consumption. Many are offering pick up and some delivery. Please continue to support local businesses when you can. Additionally, gyms and fitness centers were ordered closed throughout the state.

Florida has not yet issued a shelter in place, nor has Florida indicated that only essential businesses will remain open. Ohio joined New York, California, New Jersey, Kentucky, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and a few other states to establish versions of ‘shelter in place’ for citizens. Many states are beginning to outline guidance for essential business. Shumaker Advisors is tracking guidelines for essential businesses so we can best support clients. Feel free to call us with questions. The Department of Homeland Security defines 14 employment categories as Essential Critical Infrastructure. Those include:

• Health care and public health workers
• Law enforcement, public safety, and first responders
• Food and agriculture workers
• Energy employees
• Water and waste management
• Transportation and logistics
• Public works
• Communications and information technology
• Other communication-based government operations and essential functions
• Critical manufacturing
• Hazardous materials
• Chemical workers
• Defense industrial base
• Financial services

During certain situations, the federal government provides a list of essential business that may remain open.  States utilize these guidelines.  The following link provides an example of essential businesses provided by the state of Pennsylvania.  These may vary by state. View the list of essential businesses that may remain open here.

Federal Reserve Changes as of Today – (Source: CNBC)

The following emergency steps have been announced
today:

$300 billion in lending program backed by the Treasury

Will purchase finance corporate bonds, asset-backed securities, municipal bonds

Will purchase commercial mortgage backed securities

Main Street Lending program- The Federal Reserve expects to announce soon the establishment of a Main Street Business

Lending Program to support lending to eligible small and medium sized business

Additional sites for your use can be viewed here.

Governor DeSantis Recent Executive Orders can be viewed here.

If you or a loved one thinks you are ill, please follow this link here.