SIESTA KEY
Health Matters OCTOBER 2020
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 51, NO. 13
YOUR TOWN
The Faces of
COVID-19 INSIDE Locals recall their experiences with the virus, as well as what they learned to help them recover. SEE INSIDE SLOW PROGRESS
Antibody tests not yet proof of immunity.
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IN FOR 6, OUT FOR 8
FIRST STEP
If COVID-19 has worsened your mental health, you’re not alone.
Breathing exercises help lung health.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2020
CAMERA READY
City police pitch plan to outfit patrol officers in 2021. PAGE 3A
A splash of color
The Sarasota Police Department has added a splash of pink to its uniforms in support of breast cancer awareness during October. Officers have been authorized to wear pink shrouds, pink badges and pink ribbon pins for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The department has been part of the initiative since 2013. Police Chief Bernadette DiPino has taken to wearing a pink badge and face mask. “We do this in honor of people who have survived breast cancer or are fighting breast cancer or unfortunately have succumbed,” she said. “This impacts everybody, men and women.”
FALLING INTO AUTUMN Fruitville Grove rolls out its annual pumpkin festival. SEE PAGE 4B
Chili event postponed
The 21st annual Morton’s Firehouse Chili Cook, set to be held Nov. 8 on Osprey Avenue, has been canceled. “This was a very difficult decision that we hoped would come to a different outcome,” event co-chairs Todd Morton, Ryan Jekonski and Jay Riley said in a statement. “With the COVID-19 pandemic and the near future being unpredictable, we feel this is the best decision in interest of our supporters, participants, celebrity judges, sponsors and the community’s health and safety.” The co-chairs said the hope is to reset for fall 2021.
Harry Sayer
Jayson and Layla Plaza pick out their pumpkins during a visit to Fruitville Grove.
Security a concern for board
Turtle Tracks AS OF OCT. 10 TOTAL NESTS: 2020 2019 Siesta Key 447 711 Lido Beach 138 98 Casey Key 1,515 2,312 TOTAL FALSE CRAWLS: 2020 2019 Siesta Key 581 1,158 Lido Beach 215 192 Casey Key 1,985 2,983 Source: Mote Marine Laboratory
File photo
Protesters for and against returning to school lined up outside board chambers in July.
Superintendent given OK to add searches, detectors at school meetings. SEE PAGE 4A
A+E Selby blooms for women. SEE PAGE 6B