Dunedin, Key West and Covid-19 update

Posted on by Lea Ann Reynolds

A florida alligator at sunset


So, here we are, still in Dunedin, Florida. We absolutely love it here. It is starting to get really HOT so many of the snowbirds are going back up north for the summer. They say its as unbearable in the summer here as it is in the winter up north. We are entering into June, 2021 in 1 week. So much has happened since October. Our election happened in November and Joe Biden was elected along with the first black, female vice president, Kamala Harris. The Republicans not only lost the presidency but they lost the senate as well. The house gained a few republican seats but the majority is still democratic. Many of my beliefs (and many others as well) do not fall along the democratic policies however, I know that God has a plan for us and all we need to do is trust him. So, that we will try to do. 


My birthday present

Over the winter months, the virus kicked into high gear and as of today, the cases are 166,930,945 worldwide and 33,115,963 in the United States. Deaths hit us hard in the U.S. We soon topped the most infections and most deaths worldwide. Not a title we want to hold. Our death toll is 589,883 and worldwide is 3,458,619. Vaccines were pushed hard by the new presidency and it was a huge fiasco at first but finally everyone got into their groove. Chuck received his vaccine in January while I had to wait until April. We are now at 50% of the US population having at least one vaccine. The prediction is that about 70% of the population will be fully vaccinated by July, 2021. We are already seeing some great results. During the peak of the virus in January after the new president took over, masks were mandated and social distancing was pushed to its extreme. Many restaurants were closed and some were allowed take out only. Schools were all home schooled when they were allowed to return after being closed since spring break of 2020. Some schools, depending on how extreme the virus was, had some in classroom with kids in masks, social distancing and some attending school by zoom meetings. 

Key West trip for my birthday!

Three vaccine companies, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson came out with an amazing vaccine to combat the coronavirus on December 11, 2020. Moderna followed shortly thereafter. Both of these are 2 shot vaccines and are 95% efficacy rate. J&J was approved for emergency use on February 21, 2021 as the first 1 shot vaccine. Although it efficacy rate is a little lower, it is still another option at a  vaccine. Thanks to President Trump and Operation Warp Speed, our country was able to get the vaccine developed and produced in record time, saving so many lives. This week the mask mandate was removed for those that are vaccinated. Many of the stores and restaurants here in Florida have signs saying if fully vaccinated, masks are optional however, it is safer if the unvaccinated wear their masks at all times. Other countries are developing vaccines and are improving as well. I believe that the US is ahead of the curve right now. We hope and pray the worst is behind us and we can begin to live our lives as we did prior to 2020. 

Cruises did not start up as expected. The CDC has really been dragging their feet on allowing cruises to start. The major cruise lines, Royal Caribbean included, have opened home ports in Nassau, Bahamas and St. Martin. We will fly to Nassau in late June to take a 7 day cruise. We are so excited to get out on the water again. The CDC is coming around and starting to work with the cruise lines so hopefully they will start test cruises in June and start sailing from the US in July. Only time will tell. 

We wont go back to full time travel, which we miss so much, but we’ll take trips frequently as soon as the world catches up with the US in vaccinations and opening up. We are so grateful for the amount of time we did have to explore the world in a once in a lifetime traveling dream. 

As for now, we will live life as best we can with as much activity as we can. Staying active will be important to our mental and physical health. On a very exciting note, my son is now engaged to Lindsey, his long time girlfriend. We are so excited to have her and her three children to join the family. We are now anxiously waiting the wedding date! Such an exciting time! 

David & Lindsey’s engagement


This will be my last entry for the books. I have created 5 total volumes of beautiful photos and memories of our time traveling and we will cherish them forever and hope our grandchildren and great grandchildren will love them as well.

May God bless you always. Stay safe and well!


Chuck & Lea Ann

Our newest addition to keep us company. Pepper Laroni


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