Don’t open Miami-Dade parks until coronavirus experts say it’s OK | Editorial

First, do no harm.

This imperative is not just an oath for doctors to heed, anymore, especially as this community arm-wrestles with the coronvirus.

And this must be the guiding principle as Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez considers if, and when, to reopen any recreational areas in the county, including parks, beaches — and even pools at condominiums.

So far, he’s taking the right, tentative steps. But if reopening recreation areas, ultimately, is not the right thing to do, the mayor must be clear and firm about his reasoning in addressing a public clamoring for green space and exercise.

Gimenez cannot follow the dangerous precedents of Gov. DeSantis or President Trump, picking dates out of thin air to declare amenities reopened, while they make saving lives an afterthought. He’s done a better job than either up to this point, and he shouldn’t sully his track record in a rush to normalcy.

Gimenez seems aware of the minefield through which he’s walking. He has solicited public-health experts’ guidance, not acting unilaterally, or prematurely, and then having to walk back a misguided decision.

As the Herald reported, the mayor hosted a private teleconference with elected leaders, Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Commission, doctors and others to discuss how to ease closures on parks, marinas, beaches and golf courses. (We can only assume that there were no Sunshine violations at this “private” confab.)

Gimenez wisely sought recommendations — due by Friday — for a strategy that would tie reopening some recreational areas to meeting public-health benchmarks. Wiser still, is that any looser restrictions will be — must be — based on “statistical metrics” that show fewer rules are needed. In other words, public-health experts will have to sign off first, and they’re not there yet.

Any loosening of stay-at-home orders will have to be accompanied by practical, enforceable safety measures to keep people physically distanced. That might be easier to accomplish on bike paths or golf courses than on the beach, which have wide expanses conducive to distancing, but are more difficult to patrol. And will there be special rules for hyperactive kids?

A look at the Miami Herald letter-to-the-editor inbox shows that many homebound Greater Miami “natives,” indeed, are getting restless.

Miami letter writer Susan Pierres, a 78-year-old with health issues who lives in a condominium, said on April 15: “My heart sank when the county mandate [to close condo pools] went into effect. . . . Swimming is the only exercise suitable to my condition, and the deprivation is harmful to my physical and mental health.”

Paul Irgang, of Coral Gables, said in his April 13 letter, “No place to swim:” I was a competitive swimmer in high school and college, and since becoming disabled, swimming has been a real lifeline. With so many people dying from COVID-19, complaining about not being able to swim sounds selfish and not a particularly big deal. However, the only time, in the past few years, I feel relatively normal is in the water.”

Sidney Robinson, of the Redland, wrote: My nephew drives twice a week to play golf in Fort Myers. Isn’t it a bit ridiculous to close the golf courses in Miami-Dade County when golfers can be out in the fresh air and sunshine and have the unlimited distance protection?

Good point. But any baby step toward normalcy first, and foremost, must do no harm.