Haircuts and hurricanes: How the coronavirus could impact how Floridians weather storms, do daily tasks going forward

ORLANDO, Fla. — How Floridians do everything from get a haircut to weather a hurricane could look different in the remainder of 2020, officials said.

If a category 1 or 2 storm hits, Florida Department of Emergency Services director Jared Moskowitz said taking COVID-19 into account it may be safer to stay home than flee the storm.

“Perhaps we issue you a stay a home order, rather than an evacuation order,” he said.

Coronavirus In-depth: With hurricane season on the horizon, leaders discuss plans for preparations Hurricane season begins June 1.

But what happens in a category 5? Is opening shelters safe? Will economic constrains prevent people from seeking safe shelter elsewhere?

“We don't want affordability to be the reason why people stay,” Moskowitz said.

There are many questions that remain without answers.

The state could get people things like gas cards and food vouchers, but that doesn't help with the issue of supply. Store shelves have already been wiped out of things like toilet paper for weeks, and now there is a concern that if a hurricane hits in June the state might not have what Floridians need if the power goes out.

So the state is proposing working with stores like Walmart to make sure they are stocked.

Out-of-state volunteers also won't be making their way to Florida like they do during other storms, as personal protective equipment isn’t available for everyone. That means utility workers who usually line up to restore power may not flood in from outside the state, making power slower to come back on

And it’s not just natural disasters that Florida officials are making plans for in wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Even how we do everyday things like get our haircut will likely need to change.

The reopen Florida taskforce is working on presenting a plan to the governor soon about just such things.

On Friday, a Tallahassee barber told the committee members that they want to open but they have a lot to consider for safety.

Your hair dresser may have to wear a mask and gloves, and only allow one client in at a time by appointment only. Staff may rotate shifts, with more time between appointments for cleaning.

Payment by only be contactless.

Downtown Orlando bars are also weighing how and when they will safely be able to reopen. Watch bar owners discuss the issue in the video below:

VIDEO: Bar owners weigh ideas so they can reopen safely WFTV's Karen Parks reports from downtown Orlando.

Some feel these reopening measures should move more quickly in more rural counties in the state, where case numbers have been low.

The head of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation said it's time to get northern and parts Central Florida back open.

It is said it will take businesses like salons and restaurants two to four weeks to get back up and running. Officials said that will all depend on how many steps they have to take before they can open the doors.

And when businesses and the economy reopen, who will enforce potential social distancing regulations going forward?

Amy Mercer, executive director of the Florida Police Chiefs Association, said police should not be in charge of enforcing social distancing rules.

"Placing this burden on law enforcement agencies will cause them

More problems and risk a long-term loss of support from the communities they serve," Mercer said.

But if they are tasked with it, law enforcement is looking for very specific, uniformed guidelines throughout the state.

“We need specific guidelines so front-line officers understand the restrictions, which businesses they effect and how to enforce them,” she said.

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