Mayor Grover Robinson

Work continues on both the state and local levels to reopen Florida, in a way that keeps another surge of the coronavirus from appearing.

First up Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis in Miami saying that the number of patients seriously ill with COVID-19 has dropped substantially, even in the hotbed that is South Florida.

“And there are over 6,300 ventilators throughout the state of Florida that are just not being used; and so, to be under 300 patients now with that, that’s a positive trend for us,” the governor said.

Mayor Grover Robinson is out with his draft "Recover Pensacola" plan — a framework for reopening the city safely and helping the local economy recover from COVID-19.

At issue for what reopens, where and when, is the number of hospitalizations in the area and the impact the coronavirus is having on first responders. Robinson says they’re watching that and basing decisions on the city’s color indicator – green, yellow, and red.

In his weekly virtual news conference, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson announced the beginning of “Recover Pensacola,” set to kick off this week to initiate the rebound from the COVID-19 outbreak.

“It’s time for us to start coming back, and beginning to recover and beginning to open up; however, we do not want to do anything that would sacrifice safety, and so we’re looking to be measured,” said Robinson, from his office at City Hall.

The plan contains a number of elements covering key areas such as parks -- which are scheduled to reopen on Friday – and restaurants.

COVID-19 and looking to the post-coronavirus future highlighted Mayor Grover Robinson’s virtual news conference on Monday.

Speaking from his office at City Hall after being cleared to end his self-quarantine, the mayor says other than some fallen tree limbs that were removed from roadways, there was little if any damage from the storms that moved through early Monday.

Elsewhere, there’s been talk about just when normalcy begins to creep back into everyday life. Robinson says for Pensacola, the most critical question is how to measure the importance of reopenings.

Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson’s second virtual news conference Monday crossed the spectrum on the coronavirus, what the city’s doing to curb its spread, and a bit of a preview of after it passes.

“We encourage everyone to continue to follow the CDC guidelines and take preventative actions, even if you feel perfectly healthy,” said Robinson.

Speaking from his home where he’s under quarantine, the mayor said he spoke with officials from area hospitals, and all facilities seem to be “on green” for now when it comes the number of beds.

For Christians and Jews, this week marks Easter and Passover. In the first of a three-part look at Holy Week and the impact of coronavirus, WUWF’s Dave Dunwoody looks at how worship is being changed by the pandemic -- from the pews to local and state governments.

Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson has tested negative for the coronavirus, after exposure within his family.

In a letter to his constituents and to city government, Robinson said he was tested at Ascension-Sacred Heart Hospital, and received the results on Friday evening.

“After knowing there were so many people I had contacted with, I was ecstatic to know that I didn’t cause exposure -- certainly at City Hall or to other individuals,” said Robinson.

A COVID-19 update, city park usage, social distancing and a message to hoarders – all in Monday’s weekly news conference with Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson.

First, an update on the numbers; the good news, said the mayor, is there’s a substantial number of test results being returned from the area’s largest testing center at Ascension-Sacred Heart Hospital.

“Out of the 1,700 roughly that have come in – 1,688 – out of that roughly 84 are positive in our area,” said the mayor. “So the positives are definitely up, but it’s running about still five percent.

Among them:

Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson is asking residents for a little more time, to help put the brakes on the local coronavirus outbreak.

Robinson, Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May, and other leaders this week met with officials from Baptist, Sacred Heard and West Florida, along with Northwest Florida Community Health and the Florida Department of Health. One topic dealt with the number of patients being checked for coronavirus as of Thursday.

In accordance with safeguards against coronavirus, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson held his weekly news conference outdoors in City Hall’s courtyard.

On a cool, breezy morning, chairs for the media were set about three feet apart to practice “social distancing.”

“The city of Pensacola is very focused on the whole, well-rounded picture of everything,” said Robinson. “We’re not simply looking at it from one angle; we’re looking at it from 360 [degree] position as far as all of our citizens.”

In his first Monday news conference in three weeks, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson delivered a look at his recent trip to Singapore, and to the home office of ST Aerospace.

Speaking to the media, Robinson said he “could not me more impressed,” going there with the feeling that the things the city’s doing with ST Engineering and their working relationship, but also “blown away” by what else he saw there.

The Port of Pensacola — established in 1743 — is moving into 2020 on the strength of a major revenue increase in fiscal year 2019.

The port finished at $2.41 million — compared to $1.26 million at the beginning of the fiscal year — that’s a more than 91% surge, according to port director Amy Miller – who’s not surprised in the least.

A centennial celebration, and an update on gun violence and police training highlighted Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson’s Monday news conference.

After some preliminary remarks on other matters, the mayor honored Frances Johnson on her 100th birthday, including a chorus of “Happy Birthday” by the assemblage and members of Johnson’s family.

Robinson spoke of Frances’ and her husband’s involvement in Pensacola’s black business community, having operated a paint store for decades.

Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson’s urging those in, or contemplating, a life of crime to explore other options – including with one growing company.

Speaking at his weekly news conference, Robinson based his remarks on last week’s shooting involving four men who fired gunshots at each other near the intersection of East Cervantes Street and North Ninth Avenue. Police are searching for them.

Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson has been named to a task force charged with developing a platform, plan and partnership for the 2020 presidential election and beyond.

Set up by the National League of Cities and announced at its summit conference in San Antonio, the “Leading Together 2020 Cities Agenda” will focus on priorities important to cities and communities throughout the United States. Robinson discussed it at his weekly news conference at City Hall.