VOLUME 1 ISSUE 38
Happy Spring!
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MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2021
A Defining Time
County rule could limit public access The protocols, in part, restrict approaching commissioners at meetings By Carlos Medina Ocala Gazette
barred family members from seeing patients, some terminally ill. “When we had no visitors, it was very hard. We are healers, we are facilitators for family coming in and visiting. We really want that. It was really hard to watch patients that passed on visit with family via Facetime,” Teuton said. “That’s one thing that really sticks in my mind.” It was a similar story for other hospital workers. Having dying patients isolated form loved ones hurt the most. Dr. Ken Barrick, the director of emergency services at AdventHealth Ocala, said he tried to be as compassionate as he could, but it’s never the same as family. “We’re physicians and provide treatment. We have family to provide comfort,” Barrick said. “I distinctly remember when patients couldn’t have visitors. That was really challenging. As a dad, as a husband, I don’t know how I would feel not being able to stand next to my loved one and hold their hand.” Leigh Zeedyk, the lead respiratory therapist at
Marion County issued a directive that appeared to restrict public access to county leaders and meetings on Tuesday. While the protocols were targeted toward the media, there is no distinction between members of the media and the public. In its directive, issued by the county public relations department, all media will need to coordinate with Marion County Public Relations prior to attendance of or coverage of any meetings; all media will check in at the front desk of the administration building, and a representative of public relations will escort media members to their desired location; and no interviews of county commissioners or staff will be allowed prior to or following any meetings without prior coordination with Marion County public relations. “Some of these restrictions are laughably unconstitutional and could not conceivably be enforced. For instance, the requirement that members of the media must ‘coordinate’ before being allowed to cover a meeting could not possibly be enforced. If a member of the media shows up at a meeting that the public is, by law, entitled to attend, then the member of the media has the First Amendment right to gather and share information without any need for ‘permission’ from a media relations officer,” said Frank LoMonte, director of The Brechner
See COVID, page 10
See Restrictions, page 4
Mason Gibbs, 18 months, is comforted by his mother, Kristi, as he is tested for COVID-19. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
Marking a year of COVID-19 with an eye toward the future Ocala Gazette Staff
I
t respected no border, changed how we lived and left us feeling vulnerable. A year since COVID-19 gripped the world, its effects linger. But we see the promise of better times ahead as vaccines continue to roll out in ever-increasing numbers. As we hope for brighter days we take time to reflect on the year behind us and how it forever touched us. We were united by fear, grief and uncertainty. But we braced against the fight, cried after our losses and celebrated the triumphs. As a community, nation and world, this was our era’s defining moment. And while the scourge is far from over, we never stopped blazing a trail to the future. Healthcare No segment has taken the brunt of COVID-19 harder than the healthcare field. They were charged with treating and caring for people who carried a virus that many new little about a
year ago. “During the early part, the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) were giving recommendations at a rapid speed. It seemed like every hour there was
“As a dad, as a husband, I don’t know how I would feel not being able to stand next to my loved one and hold their hand.” -Dr. Ken Barrick
a new initiative. They were learning and broadcasting what they were learning as fast as possible,” said Jennifer Teuton a nurse director at Ocala Regional Medical Center. Teuton oversees the 59-bed COVID-19 unit at the hospital. She said the hardest part of the experience was the initial lockdown of the hospitals, which
Horse Fever 20/20 statue sells for $30,000 at OBS auction Proceeds will go to benefit the Florida Thoroughbred Charities and the Marion Cultural Alliance. By Ben Baugh Correspondent It was a unique and whimsical vision that stood the test of time. Artist Mark Hershberger’s imagination and innovation led to the steampunk-inspired vision known as Clockwork Fury as part of the 2010 Horse
Fever herd. Purchased by Brent and Crystal Fernung, Clockwork Fury served as a welcoming ambassador at their Journeyman Stud for the better part of a decade. On Tuesday, a revamped Clockwork Fury found a new home, as the artwork was auctioned off at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales pavilion to benefit the
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Florida Thoroughbred Charities and the Marion Cultural Alliance. Robin Andrews, an Ocala Breeders’ Sales employee had the winning bid of $30,000. For now, the sculpture will most likely remain at OBS, but eventually will move to Andrews’ residence. See Clockwork Fury page 2
Inside: O.G. Toon.................................. 3 COVID Update........................ 5 State News................................ 6 Sports........................................ 12 OBS Sale................................... 14 Calendar................................... 15