Maintaining the Interval

Yesterday's report indicated there were a total of 5 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Cocoa Beach. There are drive-up testing locations elsewhere in Brevard County for those who meet the stringent qualifications for testing. Most people I see in Cocoa Beach seem to be observing good distancing practices. On-street parking downtown is empty and a few people are strolling about or picking up to-go orders from the downtown restaurants. I usually see a handful of well-spaced people waiting outside Surfinista for pickup orders around lunchtime. My household has gone to Instacart delivery for groceries from Publix and the experience so far has been excellent. I made a dash into Coastal Produce a couple of days ago for fresh produce and was the only customer in the store. The only employee I saw was the cashier who was wearing a mask as was I. Incidentally, they had toilet paper for sale.

Among the restaurants adapting to the shutdown, Papa Vito's has really excelled at stepping up their game. They were early to adapt to the coronavirus shutdown by offering a free roll of toilet paper with every pickup or delivery and are now offering produce, meats and paper products for delivery or pickup in addition to pizza and Italian dishes. They will surely be among the restaurants who survive after the shutdown. The 4th Street Fillin Station is another who has excelled at transitioning to takeout only. Their Instagram is worth following just for the photos of yummy food and drinks. I encourage everyone to support your favorite restaurants during the shutdown if you want to be able to visit them again in the future. In addition to take out orders, gift cards are a great way to support them.

Fortunately our beach is still open for much needed exercise and fresh air with distancing being enforced. With all beach parking closed the beaches are practically empty. This was the beach yesterday at low tide walking back into south Cocoa Beach from Patrick Air Force Base. No distancing issue here.

“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.” ________John Donne