Marathon Update – 4/1/20

It’s about time!!! Florida’s governor finally issued a 30-day Stay-at-Home order for the entire state. We’ve not ventured outside of this marina (aside from our dinghy rides) for the past 10 days, though we do take occasional walks around the marina complex. It is so quiet here now, compared to our stay heading down to Key West in early February.

These are some of the empty RV sites that were filled to capacity 8 weeks ago
The Cruisin’ Tiki Bar stays tied up at the dock

As mentioned in a previous post, roadblocks have been set up to protect The Keys from potential coronavirus carriers. Once again, the governor did not act in *all* of the public’s best interest when last weekend he decided to pull Florida Highway Patrol officers from helping to man the roadblocks; the county’s emergency management directive then ordered the roadblocks to be terminated last Sunday, but the residents and local government officials in the Keys stepped up and, after some back-and-forth communications, the local sheriff’s deputies and officers are now manning the roadblocks. As of today, there are 27 cases of Covid-19 in The Keys, with one now in Marathon.

This map from yesterday’s NYTimes, with each orange circle sized according to the number of Covid-19 cases, shows the need for a stay-at-home mandate, to say nothing of keeping The Keys isolated (we are on Boot Key, just outside and to the left of the bottom orange circle). This map also illustrates our challenge in getting home safely, virus-free.

In addition to roadblocks, Florida Fish & Wildlife officers are watching the waterways, making sure boats are not rafting together to party, along with monitoring incoming boaters. The mooring field at Boot Key Harbor is only accepting reservations for boats coming in from Key West or the Bahamas, and they must stay for a month.

We placed our first InstaCart order from Publix today. The Captain was very happy to discover that they *will* deliver wine. Delivery will be tomorrow afternoon, after which we’ll be busy wiping down containers and/or packaging. Hopefully, we won’t miss our pre-sunset dinghy ride. Yes, the sunsets are still beautiful, providing a peaceful ending to our “new-normal” days.

8 thoughts on “Marathon Update – 4/1/20”

  1. Thanks for the update! We’re always thinking about you and glad to know you remain safe! Glad you can continue your dinghy rides to add some peace to your day!

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  2. My sister was also relieved by the delayed stay-at-home order and said the governor needs to grow a pair! Wow, that coming from a career kindergarten teacher. Miss you so much but we’re glad you’re staying safe and have the provisioning you need to get by. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you on the home front.

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    1. Dear Linda, thank you for your sweet offer *and* making me laugh – yes, you’d think someone in charge of over 20 million people could make a decision all by himself like a big boy. We miss you both, too, and thank you for your friendship from afar. Thanks for following our blog. ♥️

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  3. I haven’t logged in to check in on you for awhile – glad you’re safe in a beautiful place! And I hope your supply chain keeps supplying! Erhan is teaching his RIT classes online and I’m working with our pastor for online church services. We are all lucky to have the internet to stay connected in this crazy time – including friends in beautiful places!
    Take care!

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    1. Thanks for checking on us, Holly. This would truly be a nightmare without technology! Hello to Ethan, and thanks for following our blog.
      M&D

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  4. Hi Marty, Glad you are both well. I wondered if you had used Instacart/Public’s before? They were my lifesaver during my Chemo treatment this past year and now during my inability to walk and of course our Stay at home order. At least here,the shopper will communicate with you while shopping re: substitutes etc. At home: Matt is at home recovering from corvid—19 and Alyssa is being trained to work in ICU at Highland Hospital. I worry about both. Prayers always. Love for you from us.

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    1. Hi Kathie – thanks for your message! SO very sorry to hear about Matt but glad he is home and doing better. Very concerned about you, though – did you research cortisone flare? Is that the problem? Alyssa is brilliant and will follow protocol to the letter, though your worries are completely understandable.
      Yes, we use Instacart/Publix & have been very pleased. Now there is a wait time, so we’ll place another order tomorrow. Staying here for awhile. Prayers and love in return to you and Charlie. xo. m&d

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