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MoveOn believes the public should follow the CDC's mask and vaccine guidance, including in schools, workplaces, and health care settings to protect public health and the economy.

To: Ron DeSantis

Fitness supports immune system and well-being

Please tell Governor DeSantis to support the re-opening of CrossFit gyms contingent on strict adherence with current social distancing guidelines and a thorough equipment cleaning protocol following each use - perhaps even gloves for a while, allowing small class fitness settings of 5 people per 1000 sq. feet and using equipment exclusively (not sharing).

Why is this important?

My wife and I are CrossFit gym owners in Orange County. We created our facility to be a place of healing and inspiration, and that is exactly what it is. We have a close-knit community, and our members tell us that no matter what kind of day they have had, they can come here and leave it all behind for an hour, and then leave feeling better.

While stopping the spread of COVID-19 must be at the forefront of our efforts, we must consider the urgency of healthful activity. People have been largely left quarantining in a sedentary environment, devoid of sunlight, stress-eating sugary snacks. Each of these things alone when left unchecked becomes detrimental to health. When combined, though, the synergistic effect is a perfect storm for the development of toxicity, inflammation, and ultimately disease. The longer this goes on, the greater risk people have of making habits that will likely lead to obesity, chronic illness, and healthcare dependency, and the more overloaded the medical system will eventually become.

At our CrossFit gym, we have nearly 4,000 square feet and each member has a dedicated station. When they are working out there is a naturally occurring 10 foot distance from one member's face to another. I would imagine that other CrossFit gyms are similar, as well. CrossFit gyms are distinct from any other type of gym: due to the length of barbells, as well as bodies moving spontaneously and quickly, social distancing is something that just happens without thought. Additionally, we keep a very clean facility; we have to, because that is what our members expect. In fact, they even clean their own equipment thoroughly when they put it away. We have also created a cleaner made from 75% ethyl alcohol and antiviral essential oils, which we began using aggressively to clean the equipment and stations prior to the mandate closing gyms.

Physical activity and social interaction are vital to health and well-being, and we must be allowed to do our part as CrossFit gym owners: to provide environments that support healing and inspiration. Never before has this been so important.

Please tell Governor DeSantis to support the re-opening of CrossFit gyms contingent on strict compliance with current social distancing guidelines and a thorough equipment cleaning protocol following each use - perhaps even gloves for a while until we are certain that the virus has been neutralized.

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Updates

2020-04-30 06:05:14 -0400

100 signatures reached

2020-04-17 07:12:15 -0400

50 signatures reached

2020-04-16 22:02:17 -0400

25 signatures reached

2020-04-16 19:42:30 -0400

10 signatures reached