2020: Year in Review

Subhead

Health care, schools, businesses spent the year adapting to pandemic

  • A married couple celebrates their 50th wedding anniversary in October at Windsor Care & Rehab in Palatka. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, long-term care facility patients, including the wife, could not receive visitors. That is why this husband and wife’s celebration could not occur on their actual anniversary in July.
    A married couple celebrates their 50th wedding anniversary in October at Windsor Care & Rehab in Palatka. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, long-term care facility patients, including the wife, could not receive visitors. That is why this husband and wife’s celebration could not occur on their actual anniversary in July.
  • A health worker prepares to conduct a COVID-19 test at the county’s testing facility, 1101 Husson Ave. in Palatka, which is open Monday through Friday, except for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
    A health worker prepares to conduct a COVID-19 test at the county’s testing facility, 1101 Husson Ave. in Palatka, which is open Monday through Friday, except for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
  • Outgoing U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Florida, left, shakes hands with David Chien, the director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, as the former accepts a collection of personal protection equipment from the latter while state Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, looks on.
    Outgoing U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Florida, left, shakes hands with David Chien, the director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, as the former accepts a collection of personal protection equipment from the latter while state Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, looks on.
  • Signs on the front doors of the Putnam County Government Complex in March inform would-be visitors of new procedures, including a statewide and countywide state of emergency, to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
    Signs on the front doors of the Putnam County Government Complex in March inform would-be visitors of new procedures, including a statewide and countywide state of emergency, to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
  • A sign outside Walgreen in Palatka informs customers they must wear a mask while in the store to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
    A sign outside Walgreen in Palatka informs customers they must wear a mask while in the store to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
  • Golden Corral Buffet & Grill displays a sign informing customers the business is temporarily closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The restaurant is one of numerous local businesses forced to close or modify how they operate.
    Golden Corral Buffet & Grill displays a sign informing customers the business is temporarily closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The restaurant is one of numerous local businesses forced to close or modify how they operate.
  • Palatka Mayor Terrill Hill sits alone on the City Hall dais earlier this year as he participates in a Palatka City Commission meeting. Other commissioners and city employees are displayed on the screen to the right because the meeting was conducted over Zoom.
    Palatka Mayor Terrill Hill sits alone on the City Hall dais earlier this year as he participates in a Palatka City Commission meeting. Other commissioners and city employees are displayed on the screen to the right because the meeting was conducted over Zoom.
  • Putnam residents wait to be tested for COVID-19 outside the county’s testing facility, 1101 Husson Ave. in Palatka.
    Putnam residents wait to be tested for COVID-19 outside the county’s testing facility, 1101 Husson Ave. in Palatka.
This is the first in a three-part series reviewing 2020 and looking ahead to 2021.    Masks are common sights today. “Social distancing” is a common phrase. Don’t forget about hand-washing for 20…

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