4/8/20 @ 8:25 p.m.

The County Extension Office is counting down to Gopher Tortoise Day.

From the Extension Office:

Day 3 of countdown to #floridagophertortoiseday 🐢
​we introduce nature’s natural exterminator, the longest venomous snake in the U.S. reaching up to six feet long! You probably have heard some story about a man getting bite by a rattlesnake, well the odds are it was not the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus). The Diamondback is an unfortunate product of stereotyping. Labeled as aggressive and deadly, the truth couldn’t be further. They are highly averse to human contact and will even warn you with a shake of their rattle before striking. It takes a lot of taunting and harassment to get bitten. Unfortunately, due to the indiscriminate killing of rattlesnakes and loss of habitat, their population is in decline throughout its range.

4/8/20 @ 2:15 p.m. - Below is an update from Emergency Management regarding new cases today. This is in addition to one case reported last night at 6pm. Total cases in Nassau are now 29.

From Emergency Management:
​As of 11:00 AM, April 8, 2020, FDOH Nassau has received two new cases with positive COVID-19 testing in Nassau residents. The first case is a 76 year-old male with no known contact to a confirmed case and has no travel-related exposure. The second case is a 73 year-old female who had contact with a confirmed case and has no travel-related exposure. The Health Department is conducting case investigation and contact tracing on these cases. The individuals will remain in isolation until released by public health. This brings the total case count to date to twenty-nine for Nassau County.

4/8/20 @ 8:30 a.m. - A Special Meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. to extend the local State of Emergency. By Statute, the State of Emergency has to be extended every 7 days as long as the emergency still exists. 

The meeting can be viewed live from our website.
Live meetings: https://nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings/

If you have comments you want read into the record, email them to comments@nassaucountyfl.com. Include your name and address. Comments will be reviewed and submitted.

If you want to be called during the meeting to talk live to the commissioners, please email the address above, state your name and address, the topic you would like to discuss and a phone number. You can also leave a voicemail at 904-530-6009. Provide your name, number and the topic you are calling about at 904-530-6009. We will call you during the meeting.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

4/7/20 @ 11:15 p.m.

The County Extension Office is counting down to Gopher Tortoise Day.

Day 4 of countdown to #floridagophertortoiseday 🐢. Do you remember the story of the Tortoise and the Hare? Well in this version it’s the Eastern Cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus), not a hare. Who do you think wins the race to the burrow? The cottontail gets its name from its....wait for it, cotton powder puff looking tail. As much as they are cute with their large ears and big eyes, they love to eat vegetables and young plants, not so cute if you’re a gardener.

4/7/20 @ 6:20 p.m.

Emergency Management has provided answers to some of the most commonly asked COVID-19 questions:

From Emergency Management’s FaceBook page:
We wanted to take a moment to address some of the most frequently asked questions we receive via social media. If you have additional questions please call the EOC’s information line at 904-548-0900 or message EOC staff through the NassauEM Facebook page.

COVID-19 Social Media FAQ

1.What is the process for contact tracing once an individual tests positive? Are stores notified?

- When an individual tests positive, the Florida Department of Health begins a thorough process of case investigation and contact tracing. The patient will provide names of individuals and business they have come in contact with over the last 14 days. The D.O.H then contacts those entities to alert them to the possible exposure to COVID-19. Business follow their own protocol regarding notification and decontamination. For additional information please contact Florida Department of Health-Nassau at 866-779-6121

2.Are checkpoints still in place to monitor out of state travelers entering Florida?

- There are still checkpoints in place when entering the state of Florida. You will be asked questions regarding your travels/destination. If traveling from certain high risk areas, you will be asked to pull to a separate lane and the Department of Health will complete further screening. For the most up to date information regarding road closures and checkpoints please contact the Florida Department of Transportation by visiting their website www.fdot.gov or calling 850-414-4100.

3.How many people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Nassau County are now released from isolation?

- As of this date, the Department of Health reports that of the 26 cases confirmed in Nassau County, 11 have been released from isolation. You can view information regarding all testing (both positive and negative) on the F.D.O.H website

4.Are we required to wear masks in public?

-We recommend the public continue to follow the CDC and DOH guidelines which have been recently updated:

 CDC recommends wearing cloth face mask in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores, pharmacies).
 Social Distancing means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home
 Stay at least 6 feet from other people
 Do not gather in groups
 Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings
 If you are at risk or have underlying health conditions, avoid crowds and maintain “social distancing” practices.
 Stay home and away from others whenever ill
 Cough/sneeze into your elbow, sleeve, or a tissue (and throw the used tissue into the trash)
 Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place; if soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
 Avoid touching common surfaces in public places – door handles, ATM buttons, handrails, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something; avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth.
 Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces to remove germs every day (e.g., tables and counters, doorknobs, light switches, steering wheels, keyboards and mice, faucets, remotes, and phones)

5.Is there a testing site in Nassau County?

- At this time, there is not a public testing site in Nassau County. Residents who are experiencing symptoms should call their primary care doctor for further instruction, or utilize the Testing Site located at TIAA Bank Field, Parking Lot J. The site will operate seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for as long as supplies last, and is available at no cost. ASL and Spanish interpreters will be available to assist

Those attempting to be tested should:
• Bring their own pen
• Photo Identification
• Refrain from taking any fever-reducing medicine four to six hours before testing
• Remain inside of vehicle at all times

Please keep in mind that a maximum of four people per car will be screened and tested; and each person must be sitting at a functioning window. Additional passengers will be asked to move to the back of the line or return the following day.

6.Do employees need a pass provided by their employer stating their essential status?

- No, a pass is not required. However, the Governor issued an Executive Order 20-91 (Essential Services and Activities During COVID-19 Emergency) on April 1, 2020 that states all persons in Florida shall limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities.

7.Where can I find clarification on what is considered ‘essential’ in reference to the Governors executive stay at home order?

- For guidance in determining what is considered an essential business you may visit www.cisa.gov or see a list here: https://www.floridadisaster.org/. Please watch Sheriff Bill Leeper’s Public Service Announcement “Words Have Meaning” on NassauEM Facebook page, The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, or on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m1zmIw0T-o).

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4/7/20 @ 5:15 p.m. - Are your kiddos missing Time for Tots at the Library? Don't worry! Your favorite Youth Librarian, Michelle Forde, has been recording Story Time Videos for your children to enjoy from home. We've created a tab here on The County Insider under Library System, however it can also be reached here. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ County Manager's Office

4/7/20 @ 12:30 p.m.

From Emergency Management:

​As of 11:00 AM, April 7, 2020, FDOH Nassau has received one new case with positive COVID-19 testing, a 36 year-old female who has no travel-related exposure and no known contact to a confirmed case. The Health Department is conducting case investigation and contact tracing on this case. The individual will remain in isolation until released by public health. This brings the total case count to date to twenty-six for Nassau County.

4/7/20 @ 9:30 a.m. -Earlier this week, we told you about the Library's new video streaming service, hoopla, where you can access over 750,000 items including ebooks, audio books, movies, music, and more. All are free to access using your Library card.

Don't have a card? No problem! Nassau County Public Library System is now offering an Online library card! The card is valid for six months, and allows you access to the digital resources on the Library website. Send a copy of your photo ID, showing you live in the state of FL, and your phone number to Libraryinfo@nassaucountyfl.com. A library staff member will email you with your card information.

When the Library re-opens you can pick up your card, or upgrade it to a permanent card.

If you have any questions, please contact the Library at the email address above, or by phone at (904) 530-6500.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ County Manager's Office

4/6/20 @ 10:30 p.m.

The County Extension Office is counting down to Gopher Tortoise Day:

Day 5 of countdown to #floridagophertortoiseday 🐢 we introduce a mammal that creates its own burrows and uses #gophertortoise burrows too. The “armadillo” means “little armored one” in Spanish and they were once nicknamed “poor man’s pork” by people during the Great Depression. There are 20 species of armadillo but only the Nine-Banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is found in the U.S. Many people view armadillos as a pest but they can reduce ticks and many other insects and their larvae, helping reduce pest populations.

4/6/20 @ 10:10 p.m.

​UNEMPLOYMENT UPDATE from Governor Ron DeSantis:

DEO has added new servers and will continue adding as needed - 72 servers were added over the weekend to address unprecedented demand to DEO website.

DEO worked through the weekend getting new employees trained for unemployment claims - -
- 250 new employees started this morning.
- 500 more will begin this week.
- 2,000 more employees identified in state agencies that could help in unemployment claims.
- 518 employees through DOR are available and trained for unemployment processing

Unemployment paper applications now available - -
-Career Source & other agencies working to make sure paper applications are available throughout the state
-Governor is working with FedEx to print & send applications daily
-Some mayors opening public libraries for access to unemployment applications

DEO estimates 80,000 applications will be processed this week.

http://www.floridajobs.org/Reemployment-Assistance-Service-Center/reemployment-assistance/claimants/rapaperapplication