On October 6, 2020, I attended my first in-person workers' compensation seminar in nine months. At the time, I blogged "we're back we're back" and then admitted that was an overstatement but concluded we were "returning." The OJCC annual seminar at the Florida First District Court of Appeal was on February 21, 2020. That was a great program, but no one imagined it would have to hold us over for eight months. I was fortunate to have the October opportunity, a great many could not yet travel then. A great many cannot travel even now.
In the 1993 cartoon "We're Back, A Dinosaur Story" children were provided an amusing premise:
"A time traveling scientist goes back to prehistoric times and feeds dinosaurs a magic cereal that increases their intelligence - next they land in modern New York City for a series of comic adventures."
As I wandered the strangely quiet halls of the Omni Champions Gate last week, I returned to the sentiment that "we're back." I no longer think that we are merely returning; We're back! And, with that realization, the cartoon returned to my memory.
We're back! The Workers' Compensation Claims Professionals and The Florida Bar Workers' Compensation Section co-produce a great spring program annually. It has steadily grown from the old Board Certification Review Course that historically attracted 50-100 attorneys. In recent years, the crowd has been in the range of 400 by my estimate, and I am always proud to participate. Of course, in 2020 the program was canceled as was so much of our lives, and travel restrictions continue to somewhat mute us. But, yes, We're back!
In April 2021, we gathered again at the Champions Gate venue. There were masks and distancing as we have come to expect. There were vendors striving to give away hand sanitizer that at least seems to have lost its attraction. And, there were crowds, handshakes, hugs, and interaction. I was astounded at how many handshakes there were. The fear and trepidation seem to have evaporated. It was refreshing to see so many faces, sans-masks.
Many stories were shared. The panel on which I was honored to participate addressed some effects of the pandemic on practice and process. After, an attorney confided that COVID-19 has become tiresome and the attorney was pleased to hear about the law and the practice again. This attorney lamented that we discussed COVID-19 at all.
I felt a bit like that "time-traveling scientist" returned to the days of yesteryear (yes, it was only in 2019 that we were last together like this at the Forum, but it seems so long). We partook for two days in the "magic cereal" of education and we "increased . . . intelligence." We, as a community, proclaimed with energy and verve that "We're Back!" And. I could not be more pleased.
There were stories. One attorney recounted how inoculations had been enjoyed early in 2021 despite being contrary to the government age constraints. Another acquaintance recounted vaccine doubts but admitted to recently undertaking the first of a course. In yet another conversation, I heard a recounting of an attorney's client who steadfastly intends to forego inoculation altogether. Another was proud of immunity ("I had my second shot on March 19, and I am immune"); I did not have the heart to remember that vaccines do not yield immunity, but only protection.
I was amused by a conversation with one vendor/sponsor, whose company is headquartered in a galaxy far, far away (up north). It was apparently somewhat difficult to convince those at headquarters (1) that there was actually a live program in Florida this month, (2) that people were actually planning on attending, and (3) that sponsorship and attendance was worthwhile. Thus, though we in Florida find ourselves blessed to be back (or nearing), perhaps we need to remember that this return towards normal is seemingly not progressing at such a pace everywhere.
In the end, there were a variety of perspectives expressed. One news source recently highlighted a projection that vaccine interest is waning. The author says we may soon "hit a wall." There are doubts expressed that we will reach "herd immunity" due to some reluctance. As I enjoyed the return to a live conference, that potential concerned me. With herd immunity, perhaps things could become even more normal? Without it, will we live with the remnants of this SARS-CoV-2 for years? That is troubling. But, a significant portion of our population seems destined to forego the shot. Ultimately, that should be an individual's decision.
So, thanks to all those who answered the call to normalcy. They prepared and planned, studied, and invested. They showed up in person and proved that we can return to a modicum of normal. Thanks to the following participants, and any I may have missed, for making this program real:
Leopoldo (Leo) Garcia Jr., Forum Co-Chair - Bar Section
Stacy Hosman, Forum Co-Chair - WCCP
W. Rogers Turner, Attorney,
Matthew J. Troy, Attorney,
Karen M. Gilmartin, Attorney
Kenneth M. Hesser, Attorney,
Heather Byrer Carbone, Attorney,
Paul M. Anderson, Attorney,
Philip Augustine., Attorney,
Michael J. Winer, Attorney,
Alan D. Kalinoski, Attorney,
Hon. Frank Clark, JCC,
Michael D. Rudolph,
Andrew R. Borah, Attorney,
William H. Rogner, Attorney,
Hon. Margret G. Kerr, JCC,
Kimberly J. Syfrett, Attorney,
George A. Helm, III, Attorney,
Kelli B. Hastings, Attorney,
David E. Perloff, M.D.,
Robert J. Rodriguez, Attorney,
Hon. Walter J. Havers, Jr., JCC,
Richard J. Manno, Attorney,
Philip Augustine., Attorney,
Hon. Iliana Forte, JCC,
Hon. Jonathan E. Walker, JCC,
Christopher J. Smith, Attorney,
Hon. Thomas Hedler, JCC,
Eric M. Christiansen, Attorney,
Thomas P. Vecchio, Attorney,
Jeffrey M. Friedman, Attorney,
Joanne M. Prescott, Attorney,
Karen J. Cullen, Attorney,
Christopher L. Petruccelli, Attorney,
Paolo Longo, Jr., Attorney,
Karen M. Gilmartin, Attorney,
Glen D. Wieland, Attorney,
Hon. Neal P. Pitts, JCC,
Hon. Sylvia Medina-Shore, JCC,
Hon. Jacquelyn L. Newman, JCC,
Hon. Erik B. Grindal, JCC,
