COVID 19 and the Crystal Coast in 2021

COVID 19 has been with us for almost a year. Like real estate, dealing with this virus is all about the numbers and on the last day of December, Carteret County reported 54 new COVID-19 cases. The additional cases bring the county’s overall total to 2,929 cases confirmed since March. The number of active cases dropped dramatically, however, from 543 reported Wednesday down to 320 active cases Thursday. Meanwhile, 2,583 residents have recovered from the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, and sadly 26 have died. On that same Thursday the number of hospitalizations at Carteret Health Care in Morehead City remained steady at 11, down from a record high of 16 reported last week.

While none of these metrics are reason for optimism, people from all over North Carolina and Virginia look at these numbers and conclude that living at the beach is safer than living at home. Indeed, I feel like I am living in a bubble when I compare the COVID 19 numbers in Carteret County with other counties in North Carolina. Indeed, Wake County has experienced over 45,000 confirmed COVID 19 cases and almost 350 deaths. And this explains, in part, the greater number of rentals being booked by property managers here along the Crystal Coast during October, November and December as well as and the higher prices sellers are commanding and getting for their homes. It also explains why there are so few homes for sale in Carteret County. Our real estate inventory is about half what it was at the end of 2018. That is remarkable given that this is a sellers’ market and mortgage rates remain historically low.

As I write this blog in early January, 2021, let me pause for a moment and wish all of you a healthy and safe 2021 filled with much laughter. And, I want to thank the many people who have watched one or more of my videos. Become a subscriber to this channel and receive free donuts from my Flip Flops Donut Shop in Emerald Isle.

That being said, the ringing in 2021 also is ringing in a renewed sense of optimism. The first COVID-19 vaccine shipments have been sent. That is very good news. In Carteret County, Carteret Health Care Hospital has received its first delivery of vaccines, which are being distributed first to frontline health care workers. The Carteret County Health Department also received its initial doses, also targeted for frontline health providers. As mandated by Governor Cooper, phase 1A is all about getting the COVID 19 vaccine to those healthcare workers at high risk. Once the Health Department has met the vaccine demand for healthcare providers and is approved to move into Phase 1b, the County will send out an additional release to notify residents. That is more good news. In the meanwhile, we need to embrace patience and cooperation in continuing to practice the 3W’s; wear masks when around others, wait 6ft apart from others, and wash your hands often. This is good for you and everyone you love.

Our Carteret County representative in Congress, Greg Murphy recently held a town hall-style phone conference to discuss the latest on the vaccine. Rep. Murphy, who is a licensed physician and has received a vaccine himself, said he supports using the vaccine produced by Pfizer Inc. “Having a vaccine that’s 95% effecting is nothing short of miraculous,” Rep. Murphy said. “I think you all need to get the vaccine, but you don’t have to jump in line to do it.” He also noted there’s still more work to be done before he thinks it’s safe to return to pre-pandemic conditions. “We still have a lot of people out there who are sick,” Rep. Murphy said. “I go into the hospitals and I see how overwhelmed they are.” He further said he supported the pandemic restrictions Gov. Roy Cooper put in place in March, when we had no knowledge about COVID-19. “There’s not a perfect answer (to responding to the pandemic),” Rep. Murphy said. “I know this is tough, believe me. “There’s definitely a price to be paid for the way we’re trying to protect people. We have businesses that are hanging on by a thread.” “I think our kids would benefit from being in school (physically) more than they are,” he said. Just try to have a little more patience, and we should see an improvement,” encouraged Rep. Murphy. When asked if taking the vaccine will be mandatory or voluntary, Rep. Murphy said it would be voluntary as far as the federal government is concerned. “It’s not required by the federal government,” he said, “If your employer requires it that is an entirely different matter.”

Which brings me to my final point of today’s video. During Dr. Murphy’s conference Dec. 21, two polls were taken of the conference participants. Forty-six percent of those who responded said they intend to take the vaccine once it becomes available to them, and 23% said they wouldn’t. The remainder said they were unsure. You have to be bat shit crazy not to avail yourself of this vaccine. There is no downside. And the upside is that you and your loved ones have a better chance of getting though 2021 with the vaccine rather than without it. Ask yourself: Would you rather take the vaccine or live with the risk of experiencing the full effects of COVID-19, including death? What about your loved ones? Do you want to put them at risk every time you see them? Or what about your health care providers, the doctors and nurses who are getting burnt out and are themselves continually being put at risk for infection every time they need to treat a new patient? Wouldn’t it be better to have the vaccine and get closer to resuming a more normal lifestyle as possible in 2021 and get back to traveling to the Crystal Coast and enjoying life more fully at the beach?

If you liked what you learned go to www.EmeraldIsleHomesforSaleNC.com and sign up for my blog. Ready to buy or sell? Call me at 919-308-2292.Explore the video tab for my weekly uploads to my YouTube channel. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and receive free donuts at my Flip Flops Donut shop. Text your email address to 919-308-2292 and subscribe to my newsletter. My book, "Live Where You Vacation" is available on Amazon.com.