LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

Lauren Book, member, Florida Senate. President Trump will pursue whatever legal remedies he feels he needs to pursue. That is our American system of justice. However, our state and national leaders need to set a clear and unambiguous tone that none of his legal hijinks can or will alter the outcome of the election. The technical flaws that these suits may reveal will not impact the result: Joe Biden was duly elected to serve as our next president. Giving credibility to wacky conspiracy theories does not serve our state and does not serve our nation. It is time to move forward.

Dr. Michael Dennis, chair, FAU Schmidt College of Medicine. How much stress can humankind tolerate? Climate change, although denied by some, created a devastating effect on South Florida this fall with dreary, rain-soaked days and blustery winds. We’re running out of names for tropical storms. The pandemic continues to threaten even schoolchildren as “guidance” seesaws back and forth between restrictions and encouragement to ignore basic guidelines. And now, instead of a calm solution to the national election, one week later there are claims of victory on both sides despite early results clearly favoring one candidate. It’s frustrating/embarrassing: consider circumstances like Trump denying Biden access to key security information.

Lamar Fisher, member, Broward County Commission. Due to the pandemic, we have seen the cruise industry suffer this year, which may hinder one of our major economic engines, our Port Everglades. Recent news indicated that Miami-Dade approved waivers for up to $285 million for several cruise lines. Fortunately, Port Everglades is better equipped to handle downturn due to our diverse business lines. The port continues efforts to grow cargo operations and new projects to help us capture additional shares in areas like perishables. I look forward to the continued work our port is doing to make sure we can bounce back from this unfortunate downturn.

Beam Furr, member, Broward County Commission. This week showed us a preview of a watery future in Broward County. Flooding — due in large part to groundwater saturation — caused multiple municipalities in Broward County to have problems at regional wastewater treatment plants. Scientists have called this one of Florida’s biggest challenges. This illustrated clearly why the investments we make to build resilience and combat rising sea levels are so important. This problem is not going away — in fact, it is likely to get substantially worse. That is why this infrastructure needs to be addressed sooner than later.

Chip LaMarca, member, Florida House of Representatives. After Subtropical Storm Eta has just passed South Florida, we are expecting another possible subtropical storm in the following days. Subtropical Storm Theta is the 29th named storm, officially making the 2020 season the busiest hurricane season in history, and Tropical Storm Iota should form this weekend. Eta brought record rain to South Florida with flooding throughout. If another storm heads our way, please remember to stay indoors and do not drive through flooded streets. Be prepared and know your evacuation route if necessary, and have water, flashlights and food. #StayPrepared

Mike Ryan, mayor, Sunrise. COVID is raging across the United States. We are not immune. Our positivity rate is far too high in Florida and South Florida. Hospitalization trends are unfavorable. We should stay home more, but safety nets for displaced workers and businesses are nonexistent. We are seeing long term residual injuries for those who survive. Sub-optimal state and national mask policies make it worse. CDC recommendations for Thanksgiving include only celebrating with those in your household. If friends or others are invited, take it outdoors and wear masks. No one wants to feel guilty for causing others to become sick or worse!

Richard Stark, former member, Florida House of Representatives. The U.S. Supreme Court signaled this week in oral arguments that it will most likely uphold the validity of the Affordable Care Act. Open Enrollment for the ACA is ongoing now, and a movement to repeal a popular law without an alternative and take away health coverage for millions during a pandemic is cruel and un-American. The ACA was originally designed by Republicans to be a free market idea to have subsidized health care for American citizens who need it. This is an example of something that should bring us together and not divide us. Improvements in the ACA can be made, and I ask all sides to come together moving forward.

Ghenete “G” Wright Muir, attorney, LGBTQ advocate. Wouldn’t it be lovely if the election was actually behind us and we could be confident of a smooth transition of power? But the sitting president has refused to concede — a first in modern history. For months now, he’s been sewing doubt about the election, if he loses. While some see this as par for the course with Trump, it’s particularly dangerous because many of his over 70 million voters now doubt the election process. His propaganda also threatens to delegitimize Biden’s presidency. The Democrats need to win the Senate runoffs in Georgia to ensure Biden can carry out his agenda.