Updated: And from the better late than never category: The Seminole Tribe of Florida finally closed its casinos to help curb the community spread of COVID-19, Miami Beach hotels are shutting down and Miami-Dade transit finally cut bus and Metrorail service on Friday — Day 5 of the all voluntary #StayHome movement — but only after 
it was reported that a bus driver tested for the coronavirus after displaying all the symptoms.
Those test results have not been returned, said Miami-Dade Transit spokesman Luis Espinoza.
The daily developments of this pandemic have governments scrambling to continue to provide services one way or another and making changes to executive orders and emergency operations on the fly as the number of infected in the state and county increased. The Florida Health Department reported on Friday afternoon that 123 Miami-Dade residents had tested positive for the coronavirus. There were 8 on Day 1.
Also on Friday:
- Miami Beach is throwing out all the tourists. The city joined North Miami Beach and Key Biscayne in issuing a curfew. Theirs starts at midnight on Monday and by then all guests of hotels and motels — except healthcare workers, first responders and other crisis people — must be gone. Nobody can be outside from midnight to 5 a.m. NMB and the Key have curfews from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- The Miami-Dade Fire Rescue department ordered 40 cases of six-gallon jugs of hand sanitizer. But it’s not expected to arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday.
- At least 110,000 packaged meals, the county mayor said, had been delivered this week to seniors whose comedores and activity centers are closed.
- Miami Commissioner Manolo Reyes secured about 10,000 N95 masks donated by Home Depot for Miami Fire Rescue first responders. Delivery is expected early next week. “We are grateful for The Home Depot and other businesses in the community who are doing the right thing and stepping up to help our first responders who are on the front lines,” Reyes said in a statement.
- Pollo Tropical started offering 50% discounts to first responders and healthcare workers.
- Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo (!) announced that he had negotiated with a for-profit private lab to bring maybe a million tests and set up five drive-through locations by next week, according to the Miami Herald. He did not provide a price tag on that.
- Cuban radio reported that about a dozen Miami Police officers were sent home Friday morning after failing a new temperature test before their shift: They all had slight fevers. That doesn’t mean the other 40 or so officers in the room with them aren’t also infected. It just means they aren’t showing symptoms, like a fever.
After all, neither has Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who did test positive last week and has been in isolation at home, staying in touch via a personal diary on Facebook. Baby X, the celebrity mayor, finally got what he’s most wanted: A reality TV show.
Read related: Miami-Dade Courts close after positive test, amid more COVID-19 shutdowns
In his eighth episode of the series — which could also be turned into a made-for-TV movie — Suarez reported feeling symptom-free and seemed excited about “developing a protocol with emergency fire-
rescue personnel to get out of the quarantine at some point, and I will share that with you all.”
Whoa, Nelly. No te me apures. You still need to be put away for another six days or so. Make it seven. No, let’s do three weeks, por si las moscas. Nobody is outside anyway. And there’s nothing to do. Don’t get all confident because you feel better. And truth be told, you look better. It feels like I can say that now.
Suarez also wants other people going through quarantine not to get nervous and he had some tips. The mayor’s advice for surviving COVID-19: Postmates and Netflix.
“Restaurants are still delivering,” he said, which seemed to Ladra’s family a bad idea after ordering from Sergio’s and eating our sandwiches and then realizing we don’t really know where they came from. After five days of self isolation, a pan con bistec might do us in. But Suarez hasn’t just been ordering lunch.
“It’s a good time to catch up on Netflix. I’ve been watching the new season of Narcos and, on Amazon Prime, Hunters, which is really good,” he actually said, and Ladra can’t help but wonder if he’s doing product placement.
I mean, is that what you have to say to the citizens of Miami who are freaking out because there are not enough tests, not enough masks and far too many scary story YouTube videos and podcasts on the crisis in Italy and Madrid? Is that what you’ve been doing? Watching Narcos?
Both the county mayor and the city of Miami mayor are missing an opportunity to lead.
Read related: No more haircuts: Day 4 of COVID-19 in Miami-Dade = more closures to come
For days, Ladra and others have said bus and Metrorail service must be suspended for all but essential workers — first responders, 
911 and 311 call takers, doctors, nurses and healthcare workers, solid waste employees, anyone who can’t stay home for the good of the public. But on Friday, the service was just cut with longer waits between bus rides and trains — that are being cleaned overnight for the most part, according to Jeffrey Mitchell, president of the Miami-Dade Transit Workers union.
And operations were only cut after it was learned that the bus driver was tested and quarantined after showing symptoms for the virus. And there was no immediate information available about his route and the days he worked sick (more on that later).
Gimenez did not even broach the transit subject during his 6.5 minute daily morning message, which was just another regurgitation of the closings he ordered the day before, this time adding the clarification he had to make late at night so that university students who couldn’t get back home could stay in campus housing. Which is what happens when you work on the fly and don’t consult the commissioners or community for anything and just listen to your close circle of insiders.
“Automobile dealerships as long as those businesses ensure that people practice social distancing of six feet,” he said, because automobile moguls are among his big supporters. “Also veterinarians and pet boarding facilities can remain open.” But hotels and motels, “commercial lodging establishments and short term rentals” — like Airbnb — are ordered to close.
So, hotel guests have to leave but you can still buy a Jeep for the apocalypse?
Late Friday, Gimenez had to walk back the hotel closures — likely after some donors complained. “Mayor Gimenez is currently working on the emergency order. We expect it to be finalized by Saturday,” a statement from his office announced just before 10 p.m. in response to “inquiries.”
Plus, we knew most his spiel yesterday. This is an evolving crisis with a 24/7 news cycle. Tell us something new. Something important. Like what you are doing to get more tests to Miami-Dade. While you’ve been repeating old news on daily campaign video messages, Manolo Reyes got 10,000 masks donated to first responders and Joe Carollo — Crazy Joe Carollo — may beat you to get the needed tests here. What have you done? Are you watching Narcos?
Read related: Day 3 of COVID-19 lockdown: more closures, scooter ban, virtual meetings
“This is a very fluid situation,” Gimenez said, “and at every turn we are making decisions on the latest CDC recommendations 
which continue to evolve and on the conditions on the ground.”
Is he telling us the CDC has recommended that veterinarians stay open? Or was that the veterinarians’ lobbyist? And construction sites remaining open? Is that the CDC or the LBA recommending?
“Frankly, we are writing the book on how to deal with this virus,” the mayor said. And Ladra really hopes not. Unless it’s Pandemics For Dummies. The city of Miami has been a step ahead the whole time and that probably bothers him.
“I realize these closures are leaving people out of work,” Gimenez said.
Yeah, they are also making us dizzy.
Gimenez, who is now a super Republican candidate running for Congress, said he spoke to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio about the COVID-19 relief package and programs to aid businesses. “Miami-Dade County and the Beacon Council are studying the legislation… to assure we get all that we deserve from the federal government.”
He also reported that American Airlines had significantly cut its flights and, as the third largest employer in Miami-Dade, the impact might be severe. “This will be especially hard for us here in Miami-Dade County,” he said.
“This is a situation unlike any other and it will likely get worse before it gets better.”
Read related: COVID-19 vs Florida Sunshine laws as Ron DeSantis approves virtual meetings
Tell us something we don’t know. Like, is the National Guard that was arriving in Broward, coming here, too? Especially as our first 
responders become exposed and infected to coronavirus? How many county police and firefighters are out already? What’s the plan to stop the looting you just know is coming with stores closed and people out of work? When are we going to get access to widespread testing?
These things are much more important to us than any financial relief package. We are facing an existential threat. It’s an opportunity for him to really lead. Instead, he’s following.
And he keeps repeating the same warnings we already hear everywhere else about six feet for social distancing and elderly being extra vulnerable and how we have to assume everyone is carrying coronavirus and how the numbers will increase as more testing is done and yada yada yada. Oh and wash your hands!
No kidding?
Miami-Dade Commissioners are among those who are getting frustrated at the lack of real information.
“We’re included in regular briefings by the mayor’s staff, mostly about things that have been decided,” said Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava, who is running to replace the termed out Gimenez. “There has been no opportunity for commissioners in a formal way to weigh in and have input.”
Levine Cava has asked to have a virtual, remote meeting accessible to the public as soon as possible to discuss response efforts.
Said Xavier Suarez, another mayoral candidate: “I’ve asked to be consulted before the next order.”
Day 5 of COVID-19 in Miami-Dade: more closures, masks and tests coming added by Ladra on
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Tony and Dawn ,
I admit by the standards of most including my mother who calls every day to lecture me I might be a bit reckless when it comes to this but I look at last years flu where life went on and I see hysteria now ..
”Flu Killed 80,000 People In The U.S. Last Winter, CDC Says”
”Last winter was not the worst flu season on record, however. The 1918 flu pandemic, which lasted nearly two years, killed more than 500,000 Americans, historians estimate.”
Christopher Davis ,
I agree ” We have a system in place that benefits the Politicians and the insiders connected to Government people” but it is that way in every government .
However here in Miami it’s third world pure nepotism and cronyism with every project lining their pockets add our property tax going for their personal use as far as trips , projects which are not needed way more expensive then if done outside of Miami with many poorly done , a chain of command that doesn’t care about anything with zero standards .
Are there any construction jobs done on time , done CORRECTLY anymore ?
EVERYTHING is to line their pockets and / or family , friends pockets .
I was born in Cuba but never lived with Hispanics till 6 years ago . Well I was artillery in the Army and lots Hispanics but we were enlisted , sitting on the side of a mountain and not running anything lol .
My parents work and live in Naples , both my sisters in California , everyone else is here and its a big family . Pure calle ocho .
I grew up with moderate Anglo’s and they would vote all these Miami flunkies out , HOWEVER I have come to the realization that the extreme bunch in both political parties have political standards as low as Miami so I don’t feel so bad , lol.
Miami is not going to change . It is the gateway of Latin America and anyone born in Miami in lets say roughly 80s or so was not born in the USA and used to low political standards . IF they even vote at all .
Plenty like my cousins think sticking up for these assorted criminals who laugh at them is ethnic pride .
Don’t get me started on that subject , lol.
We say the slippery slope began when the National Debt ballooned. It’s illegal for the individual states to borrow in order to balance their budgets. When Congress was composed of men and women who saw themselves as stakeholders in the survival of the country, it too was done judiciously. Correct us if we’re wrong, but if the. man of the house does not provide, or some other vice comes to impede his ability to support, the household breaks up. Congressmen et al on watch when the U. S. Began to sign notes, aided and abetted the licentiousness.
I see everyone’s point who disagree’s with me but do we lock things down for months only to end it and say ” oh no someone tested positive for this so back to months of destroying the economy / country” ?
Before China told us about this who knows how long it was out and how many here had it and it passed like a common cold .
I hope the heat takes a toll on this virus like Tony / Dawn mentioned but I know that is up in the air as far as some Doctors think that might be the case and as many disagree .
In the end the medias ratings have never been higher so keep in mind this hysteria works for them and the longer the better .
I watched Cuomo on CNN a few days ago having a hysterical fit and that was it for me with him , though doubt he will miss me lol because again their ratings are through the roof .
Mr. Davis, you are so right, however, you failed to mention the added toxicity, contamination and corruption that this administration has brought to The Swamp. His pal Putin must be having a field day, as he has our country where the enemy wants it; divided, ill and on a highly slippery financial slope. Yes, he is a corporate bankruptcy expert. This Republican is not red or blue, rather red, white and blue. The great principled America of yesteryear seems to have diluted significantly. We are to blame for always focusing on the almighty dollar, apathy in voting and re-electing the rotten and corrupt. Yes, our dollar once made us great and yes, it can make us break. Wake up fellow Americans, as “camarón que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente”. This is not doomsday, rather reality. Hope la “corriente” has not yet passed.
Restaurants are not closed! Healthcare providers continue to see patients. We use the bus to see our ophthalmologist, where our yes are dilated. We can’t drive back. One half of people recover on their own, without major disruption fron a bout of sars Cov-2. When we ride the bus, we enter our physicians’ restroom upon arrival and wash our hands, it’s obvious that the bus’ surface may hold germs from anyone with a cold or seasonal flu. And not to harass you too much, ” lockdown ” or our version of it, is the WHO’s brass bogeyman, they see little benefit in it, vs a lot of psychic and sociological disruption. The only effective brakes are test, and track close contacts. Being near an infected patient for a short time isn’t enough to transmit the virus. Read the CDC’s guidance. It’s on the Internet and worth every cent! .
Hey Jose and to all ! We have a system in place that benefits the Politicians and the insiders connected to Government people .Whether it be Former Chief of Staffs from Mayors, Commissioner’s ,U.S Senators and the List goes .Former Mayor’s along with a bunch of Government officials elected and unelected take advantage of the inside game that’s played on a regular basis .For example just the other day elected Government officials on the U.S intelligence committee found out a while ago that we were going to have a catastrophe happen similar to the 1918 Spanish Flu .All of a sudden after a briefing a bunch of Politicians started dumping their stock at a high premium before the Market crashed ! In most places that would be called insider trading where most people would go to jail for .A few of the Senators and especially U.S. Senator Richard Burr who got caught Recommended that he be investigated by the U.S. Ethics board that is the same stuff like the Miami/Dade County Ethics and Public Trust Agency which is doing nothing but slapping your hand with a fly swatter .Ouch that hurt soooo good! These Politicians have no Morals ! These Politicians are from all Parties, Democrats, Republicans, so called Independents, green party,Blah,Blah,Blah .Now we have U.S.Miami/Dade Senator Marco Rubio who referred/Recommended to President Trump Ariana Fajardo Orshan as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida who was nominated by President Trump on June 7th ,2018 ,the United States Senate Confirmed her Nomination on August 28th,2018 and She was Sworn in as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida on September 18th,2018 .Like Clockwork ! But this was to Placate Senator Marco Rubio like throwing him a bone for the Nomination of Marco Rubio’s Pal Ariana ! This is the system we have in place as a Former Miami/Dade Assistant Attorney who now has the highest ranking of Law enforcement besides the United States Attorney General of the United States. So let me give you a scenario.If there is any Criminal activity that happens with Marco Rubio and his Staff with Miami/Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and his Staff guess where the Criminal complaint will go to ?yes .Pause .Oh yes,that would go to the Person that was referred/Recommended by Marco Rubio as the United States Attorney of Southern District of Florida Ariana Fajaro Orshin.So where would that complaint finally head to after she received it? Most likely no where like everything else that happens criminally in Miami/Dade County .This is the Swamp that President Trump has been talking about but in Miami/Dade County we have the real swamp with real Alligators, Snakes,Etc,Etc,Etc .It’s a bad Joke People !
We read that States’ Dept of Health Labs detected three hundred pos cases, and prívate Labs another three hundred, then, fourteen thousand plus are being watched by the CDC. This tells me that private medical Labs are increasing their participation, since States’ Labs had been working to their capacity. You know! There are categories in the assessment of risk, and we don’t think that ” lockdown ” is called for immediately. We live in the tropics and the heat and humidity of the air are restraints on the ease of airborne contagion, you’d almost have to have someone cough right at you!
Ladra ,
They take public transportation because they have no choice . How many will lose their jobs if they do not , plenty of workers who work downtown , hospitals , etc need public transportation .
Its easy for those of us with vehicles to tell them ‘ To bad , your not going any where even to get food ” .
You do realize that the common flu kills 50,000 to 60,000 a year in the USA alone .
Hmmm,I agree with Ladra ,there will be plenty of Blame to go around but I guarentee everyone that the Communist China Government Politicians will have to answer to this catastrophic Coronavirus infectious disease ! Let’s be honest here,The UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT as well as Miami/Dade County Government never prepared for this kind of Catastrophe ! We all have to work hard to fight this invisible enemy with mostly a common sense approach as in self containment because we’re in big trouble with not having all this medical equipment along with medications to go around. Right now all our Government is doing is buying time so this Coronavirus infectious disease doesn’t spread like a wild fire out of control so we have to self contain .A family that prays together stays together .This is serious stuff ! Eventually I think the Chinese Government will be responsible for this and the Lawsuits will start hitting the China government like it happened with Saudi Arabia after the 9-11-2001 Attacks on the United States .Days of the future past ! Watch people and pay Attention !
” For days, Ladra and others have said bus and Metrorail service must be suspended for all but essential workers ”
I disagree and do not want the metro , trolley’s nor bus service touched .
What about the countless who do not have transportation . Should the elderly , disabled , poor people, just non drivers starve because they have no transportation ?
None of those people should be going anywhere. We are not taking this seriously enough. You need to watch videos and hear the testimony of medical workers in Italy and Madrid. We should all have gotten 2-3 weeks of provisions already. Like during a hurricane. Anyone riding public transit is not just risking infection but could infect others too. Bus driver who was tested is probably positive. How many did he infect while working? More to come on that.
Love, Ladra
Tony and Dawn ,
South Korea though a democracy is different then the USA , they move . For example corrupt politicians go to a regular jail .
Their last President got 24 years for contracts for her family and friends , she will serve 24 years in prison and every political party wanted her jailed ., the President prior got think 5 years in prison for kick backs .
All their property , assets were seized .
Their democracy is different then ours and WAY better at aggressively going after political corruption in every party but in some ways its not better .
There seems to be an unwritten caste system there .
I was stationed at Camp Casey in S.K and their thinking is just very different then ours . They want to put an end to “Imperial power” which they categorize as politicians being better then the average person and above the rules .
That is not going to happen in the USA , certainly not Miami , lol . In fact Miami is exactly the type of politicians they do not want and rightfully so .
Though I have blinding hate for the cold S.K is beautiful from the small farm villages up north to Seoul .
They All want to be in the Screen But NONE of Them have Resign Their Position to Run in November , They Are Milking Their NO Ethics , No Transparency County Position ? #OURCOUNTYCORRUPT
flatting the curve does not reduce the number of infections, it actually makes the pandemic last longer in exchange for lowering the number of infections per day. An why? because we don’t require hospitals to build with surplus capacity.
BUT a way to lower number of infections is the test treat and track protocol
But again, forgot to stockpile tests
How about personal protection mask I can wear like everyone in Asia wears all the time ?
Nope. Forgot to stockpile those too.
So our too-little-too-late leadership’s answer? Lock everybody in their house all summer then run for re-election in the fall.
We’ve been perusing the Internet and have come face to face with reality. The adversary is not formidable, but our nation has been confronting it with obsolete methods. The top brass at WHO doesn’t get tired of repeating that , test, test, in order to identify and isolate. They have examples of how it’s done, in South Korea, and now a town in Lombardy has totally stopped new infections. But the Medical profession says the U. S. Should be testing between one hundred and one hundred and fifty thousand daily, and we’re only testing twenty thousand. In summary, the game of musical chairs has no end in sight.