This Petition provides a well-founded, reasonable basis for reopening city and county parks, beaches and recreation centers.  Each item is cited by a credible website, the Government Official who made the statement(s) and supporting documents.

I. Governor Desantis Executive Order 20-68 issued 3/17/2020, page 2, Section 2., Heading 'Beaches' in which the Governor with the advice of experts, State Health Officials and the guidelines of the White House DID NOT restrict the access to parks, beaches or recreation centers.  The Executive Order merely limits the number of persons gathering and their respective distance.  The order's only remark supporting such a measure is as follows "...support beach closures at the discretion of local authorities.  

II. In a directive by The City of Sarasota issued 3/13/2020, parks, beaches and recreation centers began to be closed and claimed to be [excerpt] "...mirroring the public policy of Sarasota".  The city has continued to extend this order.

III. In a directive by Sarasota County issued 3/19/2020, beaches were closed effective 3/21 citing only an [exerpt] "alignment with CGC guidelines" and that this was "...an effort to keep beachgoers informed on the current direction from Governor Ron DeSantis and other beach policies."  The county has continued to extend this order.

IV. Combined with the above action, Sarasota County closed Parks, Recreation and National Resource facilities citing their reason as [excerpt]"...helping slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community".  Website

V. On or about 4/13/2020, Sarasota County discontinued COVID-19 testing at Twin Lakes Park, Clark Rd.

VI. As per the White House Briefing given by Governor Mike Pence on 4/16/2020, Florida was among a handful of states shown in green (low activity level indicator) on a US Map of Influenza-Like Illness.  President Trump said in the briefing "Our experts say the curve has flattened and the peak in new cases is behind us.  Nationwide, more than 850 counties, or nearly 30 percent of our country, have reported no new cases in the last seven days."

VII. As of this petition, and considering shutdowns began in mid-March, there have been 254 Sarasota (FL resident) cases of which resulted in 18 COVID-19 'related deaths'.  The median age is 64, roughly 57% female (majority), 81% white (majority) and an estimated 82 were hospitalized.  Florida reached its peak, according to the Florida Health Department's COVID-19 website, on April 3rd with 1300 (est) COVID-19 cases and has been on a downward trajectory ever since.  In fact, Florida was at 1/2 that number on 4/14.

VIII. As of this petition, Sarasota had tested more than 3000 residents of which 91% were negative.  To that point, our neighbors in Manatee (tested 2118), Charlotte (1284) and Hendry (252).  Additionally, based on size (population) we are closely aligned with Seminole County and as it applies to testing and negative outcomes the results are very close.  FDH website

IX. Using Twin Lakes Park, as an example since that is where Sarasota County performed drive through testing, there have been <5 cases.  Using Siesta Key, as an example since it the most densely population beach, there have only been between 5-9 cases.   FDH website

X. According to the IHME model on the date of this petition, which includes the date of Florida Stay at Home Order and closing of Educational Facilities, even at Florida's peak, there would be a 16,000+ hospital bed surplus and more than 500 ICU beds readily available.  This model also shows a downward trajectory, deaths per day, since April 2 when Florida peaked at 77.

XII. The White House has issued a Guideline for Opening Up American Again, which includes Proposed State or Regional Gating Criteria to reach Phase One.  Within that criteria and based on the models above, Sarasota County is eligible to implement Phase One Re-Openings

XIII. The White House has issued a Guideline for Opening Up American Again, that includes Phase One criteria for how to remain safe [excerpt] "WHEN IN PUBLIC (e.g. parks, outdoors, recreation areas, shopping areas)".

XIV. Sarasota Memorial Hospital, our area's largest public facility, is "furloughing" staff calling them non-essential and allowing them to take accrued vacation time before applying for unemployment.  Some of these "non-essential employees" include nursing staff from other departments.  The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports that we only 32 patients at SMH with mild symptoms, 2 in isolation and more than 800 free beds.   If these "non-essential" nurses aren't being used to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and [as reported by SHT] our hospitals are not overtaxed in Sarasota County, then we have satisfied the White House Gating Criteria of "Treat all patients without crisis care".

XV.  According to the CDC Facts about COVID-19 infographic issued 4/14/2020, three of the five facts support a reasonable, responsible adults return to city or county facilities.

XVI. On 4/16, Pinellas County held a vote to reopen their County Beaches.  The only opposition was a comment by Sheriff Bob Gualtieri "Opening condominium pools, but not others in country clubs, hotels and apartments, would be unfair and would create a “have and have-not situation" across the county.

XVII. Several city and county beaches in Brevard County have remained open with reasonable restrictions.  Brevard County has 100,000 more residents than Sarasota County, with similar COVID-19 statistics regarding cases, testing and deaths.

XVIII. On 4/17 Duval County, twice the population of Sarasota, reopened its beaches despite having twice as many deaths from COVID-19 and a higher positive test occurrence.  

XVIV. On 4/17 Governor DeSantis held a news conference where he said: "...some municipalities should feel free to start opening up parks and beaches, if that can be done safely, with distancing guidelines remaining in place".

XX. Sarasota County Commissioner Christian Ziegler issued a proposal to reopen beaches and parks.

XXI. As of 4/17, neither Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch nor City Manager Tom Barwin have issued a statement against re-opening beaches.  Barwin's only requirement was that "these discussions and decisions must be guided by the health and medical experts in our region".

XXII. Florida State Surgeon General Dr. Schott A Rivkees, M.D. did not oppose the opening of Duval County's beaches.

XXIII. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is available in most retail stores, is reasonably priced and through some local non-profit can be obtained free of charge.

The facts above show a clear decline in risk.  Florida has a decline in COVID-19 cases.  Florida, moreover Sarasota, has met or exceed the gating guidelines released by the White House.  There has been a safe and equitable precedent set by large Florida cities and counties.  The beaches, parks and recreational centers can reopen with little to no risk higher than normal interaction with community members.

Please sign this petition by 4/21 at noon EST so that it can be delivered to City and County Government Officials.