Tag: beaches
Despite Pandemic, Florida Governor Didn’tClose Packed Beaches

Despite Pandemic, Florida Governor Didn’tClose Packed Beaches

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is refusing to close his state’s beaches, despite the fact that thousands are crowding the coastline for spring break against government-issued guidance to avoid large gatherings amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

“We’ve seen some big crowds on the west coast of Florida and I’ve had a chance to speak to mayors on both coasts today,” DeSantis said Tuesday. “If … they want to continue to [leave the beach open], we want them to have the freedom to do that, but we also want them to have the freedom to do more if they see fit.”

Images of a packed beach in Clearwater, Florida, led to uproar this week, as the beachgoers, many of them young people on spring break, were clearly not adhering to the social distancing measures outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On Monday, the CDC advised against gatherings of 10 or more people, warning that there were just 15 days to stop the spread of the virus.

But DeSantis said he won’t be ordering those beaches closed, leaving the decision up to local authorities.

DeSantis defended that decision on “Fox & Friends” — Donald Trump’s preferred media program — Thursday morning.

The governor said the images of crowded beaches were from before the CDC changed its guidance to allowing groups of just 10 or less.

“I would point out though guys, the images from Clearwater were from Saturday,” DeSantis said. “At that point the CDC guidance was groups of 250 or more, then on Sunday they changed it to 50, and so we were looking at locals to try and figure out OK, what makes sense for us on a whole variety of things. And then the next day on Monday, they changed it to the 10, and so that’s at that point we need to steer clear of any large groups and so we did it for the beaches and we for the bars, we closed the bars down.”

Associated Press images from as recently as Wednesday, March 18, however, show gatherings much larger than 10 people at Clearwater Beach, with little to no social distancing, as the CDC has recommended.

Meanwhile, fellow Florida Republicans have urged DeSantis to shutter the beaches altogether.

“I think they ought to do everything they can to stop people from being on the beach,” Sen. Rick Scott, who served as governor before DeSantis, said on CNN Thursday morning.

“They outta make sure that the only way you can go on the beach is if you’re gonna be on there by yourself,” he added. “…What are you thinking being on the beach around all these people that might have coronavirus? And you’re gonna go home and potentially infect the people you love the most? What are you thinking? Stop doing it, now.”

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.

Florida Beaches With Lots of Privacy

Florida Beaches With Lots of Privacy

Florida Beach

Fall is almost here, and soon winter will follow. But you don’t have to wait until next summer to think about some relaxing days at the beach when Florida is just a short distance away by car, air, or train. And as popular a destination as it is, even Florida has some off-the-beaten path beaches on both coasts that will provide the ultimate in relaxation, bright sunshine, and long ribbons of pristine sand.

Photo: Flickr via VISIT FLORIDA Editor

Cayo Costa State Park

Costa Cayo Beach Florida

There are over nine miles of beaches on this Gulf Coast barrier island, along with mangrove swamps and assorted wildlife that make this a perfect destination.

Photo: Flickr via kapDave

Clam Pass Beach

Clam Pass Beach Florida

This Naples beach comes with white, sugary sand and water so shallow an adult can stand in the water, except at high tide.

Photo via Naples Beach Adventures

St. Lucie Inlet State Park

St. Lucie Inlet

St. Lucie Inlet State Park, a quiet, east-coast barrier island on the Intracoastal Waterway, is reachable only by boat.

Photo: Flickr via Kim Seng

Jupiter Island

 

Nature Preserve Jupiter Island

Jupiter, an east-coast barrier island has a surprise for you. At the end of the beachfront road is access to a two-mile long public beach, but there aren’t any signs to tell you about it.

Photo: Flickr via Phil’s 1stPix

Barefoot Beach Park

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This is one of the best beaches on Florida’s west coast. Though located in Naples, you may just think it’s your own private preserve.

Photo: Flickr via dan erickson


Tigertail Beach Park

Tigertail Beach Park

Located on Marco Island in the Gulf of Mexico, you will find a wild three-mile long spit of sugar-white sand across the lagoon from Tigertail’s developed side.

Photo via MarcoVilla


Lovers Key

lvk-loverskeystatepark-leefortier

This west coast barrier island park has a two-mile long beach and is home to manatees, dolphins, marsh rabbits, and bald eagles.

Photo via Florida State Parks