On this Thursday, May 21, episode of Sundial:
What Will Air Travel Look Like At MIA?
Airlines and major international airports across South Florida have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. There have been severe restrictions on international travel, and the number of people taking flights across the U.S. has significantly dropped.
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But as states across the country begin to loosen restrictions, and slowly reopen, airports will have to adapt to the new normal of social distancing and constant sanitizing.
Lester Sola is the CEO and director of Miami International Airport. He says MIA will be adding additional hand sanitizing stations, plexiglass and social distancing markings across the airport.
"Ultimately it's going to be up to the visitor to keep themselves and others safe," says Sola.
He says airports across the country will have to adapt for the future, similar to how major changes were put in place after 9/11. He spoke with Luis Hernandez on Sundial about what passengers can expect to see when they check-in and how the airport is continuing to stay afloat.
At-Home Deaths Have Greatly Increased
The Fort Lauderdale and Broward County fire departments reported double the number of at home deaths in April compared to the previous year. The fear, in some communities, of visiting hospitals has led to people dying at home at an alarming rate.
Dr. Randy Katz, chairman of emergency services at Memorial Regional Hospital and medical director of Hollywood Fire Rescue says it is unknown if the deaths are COVID-19 related, because an autopsy isn’t conducted unless the victim exhibited flu-like symptoms.
He said there has been an increase in drug overdoses and cardiac related deaths. Katz joined Sundial to discuss what hospitals are doing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to non-COVID patients, and why people should feel more comfortable to go in for treatment.
Bird Watching During A Pandemic
Many people across South Florida have taken on a bigger appreciation for the outdoors since stay-at-home orders began. Bike sales have skyrocketed and some have found relief in outdoor activities. One of those activities is bird watching.
May is typically the perfect time of year for South Floridians to catch birds along their migrations of the Eastern coastline, according to Mark Hedden. He’s the Executive Director of the Florida Keys Audubon Society. Sundial spoke with Hedden about some of the birds you can watch from your backyard this time of year.
