Florida Nursing Homes Receive FEMA Assistance During Coronavirus Pandemic

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on April 30, 2020

These certainly are some strange times we’re living in. On April 28th, 2020, the United States reached one of the most abysmal milestones in history, with over one million people testing positive for the novel coronavirus. And as multiple governors across the country prepare to strategically reopen their states, including Governor Ron DeSantis, many of us are left with more questions than answers.

According to the latest statistics released by the Florida Health Department, there have been an additional 497 people that have tested positive for COVID-19, with 50 new deaths. This news comes out less than 12 hours after Governor Ron DeSantis announced plans to reopen various parts of the state, despite the fact that it has yet to meet the federal guidelines for reopening, which includes a 14-day decline in coronavirus cases. In fact, some of these regions are seeing their highest numbers to date.

On Monday, May 4th, 2020, “phase one” of the governor’s three-phase reopening plan for the great Sunshine State will begin. This includes resuming elective surgeries, as well as allowing retail stores and restaurants to begin operating at 25% capacity, while maintaining social distancing guidelines. The only parts of the state that are exempt from this implementation are Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties, which will eventually be integrated into the mix once their number of coronavirus cases begins to decrease. Schools, bars, nightclubs, gyms, tattoo shops, and hair salons will all remain closed.

Long-term care facilities have taken one punch after another in their fight against the coronavirus. Close quarters, confined spaces, and compromised immune systems are all common factors for catching and spreading COVID-19. It is for those exact reasons, among many others, that nursing homes and assisted living facilities will continue to restrict visitation to their residents. However, Governor DeSantis did indicate that additional assistance from FEMA was on its way. Personal protective equipment including medical masks, surgical gloves, and safety gowns are being shipped in to address the incredible shortage of PPE afflicting elder care facilities in Florida since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak.

Here at the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A., we are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic. We are open and are offering free initial consultations at 877-FL-INJURY.

Sources:

• Gov. DeSantis Outlines Reopening Phases
• 50 new COVID-19 deaths reported less than 12 hours after governor announces plan for reopening Florida

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.