The Key West city commission on Jan. 5 voted unanimously to accept $1.3 million in CARES Act funding from Monroe County, which was tasked with doling out the federal money to local governments.
Lawmakers on Jan. 5 also directed the city manager and finance director to allocate up to $500,000 of the $1.3 million to local nonprofits. Those organizations, in turn, will distribute funds directly to residents to help with rent and utility bills as well as costs associated with COVID rapid tests so people can return to work as soon as possible.
“We know COVID has taken an extreme economic toll,” said Leah Stockton of the United Way of Collier and the Keys. “We also know that more than one-third of our residents were already struggling, living paycheck to paycheck with no savings. Local social service agencies have never seen a need like this, including after hurricanes.”
Suzanne Moore, president of the Key West Chamber of Commerce, told the commissioners, “The biggest need is rent, utility and medical assistance for workers, not businesses. This is an opportunity for you to help the workers of this community, your constituents, and show them you care.”
What about vaccines?
Health department administrator Bob Eadie and Lower Keys Medical Center chief of staff Dr. Jack Norris updated lawmakers on the vaccination process in Key West.
The health department has received 1,300 vaccine doses; the hospital received 300.
“I didn’t know any of the doses were coming; they just sort of showed up,” Eadie told the commission. The same was true at the hospital, Norris said.
“We can’t request any additional doses. I’ve been told that as we use them, they’ll be replenished. I wish I had a better report for you, but as of now, we’re playing the cards we’re dealt,” Eadie said, adding that the health department just has to wait for the next batch to arrive. He estimated the health department will have administered all of its 1,300 doses by Saturday, Jan. 9.
First responders and senior citizens are first in line, Eadie said, and as of next week, he expects to have a reservation and appointment system in place to handle the demand.
Norris said the hospital is prioritizing its doses for personnel working in the hospital’s ICU, COVID unit and emergency room.
“We’re doing the best we can, trying to get them into as many people as possible,” Eadie said, adding that the second doses of the vaccine “shouldn’t be an issue.” As soon as someone receives the first shot, they’re given a follow-up appointment date for the second shot and are instructed to download an app that tracks any adverse reactions to the vaccine. Norris said he had not heard any reports of adverse reactions as of the Tuesday meeting.
