Covid-19 Update | March 15 at 3:13 PM

So here is my afternoon corona virus update. Tip #1 is to stay away from Twitter and CNN. I have seen so much misinformation out there is it driving me insane. Northwest Florida is not New York City or Seattle. Tip #2 is only get your news from the Centers For Disease Control and/or Florida Dept of Health. I have seen several misinterpretations of their advisories by journalists and I assume it’s to scare people and get more readers or viewers. Here are the facts: we have no cases of community spread within 200 driving miles of Panama City, FL. That could change any time and Florida Dept of Health updates this information daily. People keep saying that’s only because they can’t be tested. That is untrue. For two weeks, county health departments have had the ability to test and now every medical clinic in the United States can test for corona virus. A nasal swab sent to quest labs yields a result in 48 hours. Who needs to be tested? Guidelines for testing are on the CDC website. Basically, it’s any vulnerable person (over 65 or immune compromised) with fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Known travel or contact with a positive case of corona virus for someone not at high risk with fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Most people don’t need to be tested. Just because a person didn’t get tested doesn’t mean it’s not available. They just didn’t meet criteria. As of this moment, there is no reason for anyone under 65 with a normal immune system in Northwest Florida to do anything other than wash your hands, don’t touch your face, and don’t shake hands. Work from home if you can, but if not you can safely go to work.