MIAMI (WSVN) - Business owners in Wynwood held a meeting on Monday to calm fears of the Zika virus in the Miami neighborhood, even as a new 17th case of non-travel related Zika was discovered in Palm Beach from a Miami visitor.
On Monday, the Department of Health released the United States’ 17th case of non-travel related Zika — a Palm Beach resident, who according to Health Department leaders, had recently visited Miami.
While fears may be dwindling, according to the CDC, the Wynwood area continues to be the only active area for Zika transmission in the United States.
Therefore, in order to raise awareness for Zika, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton will visit Borinquen Health Care Center, Tuesday afternoon, in Miami’s Design District, next to Wynwood.
As the new Zika cases have been adding up, a room full of concerned Wynwood business owners met Monday due to a dip in revenue. Some owners said their sales have been down anywhere from 30 to 90 percent since the Zika emergency began. “Yeah, we’ve been open for business, but nobody’s coming,” said one upset businessman during the meeting.
“Overreacting has a real effect,” said Zak the Baker owner, Zak Stern. “We’re talking about businesses going down. We’re talking about people not coming to work, not getting to pay their rent, so there’s no reason to overreact.”
Stern’s business is located in the heart of Wynwood, but he also has to think about his pregnant wife. “She’s hanging at home. She’s been home anyway right now,” he said, “but we’re not freaking out. I’m saying, let’s let the dust settle a little bit, and then I can measure my response.”
Some business owners said they are trying to find a way to market the area and make sure visitors and locals alike know that Wynwood is still open for business. Many also want to apply for emergency funding from the government because they said their businesses are hurting very bad.
We will do all necessary in the prevention of Zika per guidelines by @HealthyFla. #WYNWOOD remains open for business https://t.co/mKBL4whvpb
— Wynwood Miami (@WynwoodMiami) July 29, 2016
“I think we’re an incredibly dynamic, smart and creative group that will come out of this far stronger than we were before,” said Joseph Furst, with the Wynwood Business Improvement District.
The group of business people plan to get a marketing plan to inform customers and patrons that Wynwood businesses are still open. They also hope to advertise the scheduled Art Walk that is set to take place on Saturday.
There are also other, more illustrative Zika-spawned health messages in other parts of South Florida, like billboards over U.S. 1 in Southwest Miami-Dade and near Interstates 95 and 595 in Fort Lauderdale. The billboards show a condom as a reminder that the mosquito-borne virus can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse.
It’s the Second Saturday of the month! That means art’s biggest block party is back in #Wynwood. Come join us at… https://t.co/hohCeM4sTp
— Wynwood Miami (@WynwoodMiami) July 9, 2016
Business owners in Wynwood also noted from Wednesday, August 10 to August 31, free parking for two hours will be in effect, in the hopes that the deal will bring in more business. “We’re not T.J. Maxx and Ross. This isn’t Cheesecake Factory here,” Stern said. “This is the local, independent community in Miami, and if you want to support us, now is the time to step up.”
The battle against mosquitoes is still underway on the ground and in the sky in the area. “Treating fountains and standing areas with simple things that can be obtained at, say, a local hardware store,” said Gayle Love with Solid Waste Management.
The CDC travel advisory remains in effect as of Monday. CDC officials said that pregnant women should still avoid the Wynwood neighborhood.
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