Stay-At-Home, Flatten The Curve
April 9, 2020
"Stay Home If You Can," Says Governor, County Comms
The Stone County Commission voted on a stay-at-home recommendation Friday, April 3.
Isaac Estes-Jones
On Friday, April 3, the Stone County Commission signed a resolution recommending all citizens stay at home except for essential workers and essential needs. Later that day, Governor Mike Parson issued an executive order mandating state-wide stay at home conditions.
The county commission, after discussions with the municipalities, voted to enact stay-at-home recommendations for all of Stone County.
This resolution recommended people only leave their homes to perform essential activities, such as shopping for groceries, etc.
However, according to Mark Maples, Stone County presiding commissioner, the governor's order, as an order, supersedes the county's set of recommendations.
The stay at home order will remain in effect until at least April 24, unless state officials determine it should be stopped early or extended further. According to a frequently asked questions document from the Governor's office, the order will be reevaluated prior to it's expiration, "to make sure it does not need to be restricted or extended."
This order will be enforced or supported by local health departments.
The governor's order follows Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency guidelines on the definition of essential businesses.
Importantly, nothing in the governor's order states that businesses must close, even those not considered essential under the order. Local health departments do have the authority to impose stricter rules than those set by the governor, should they deem that necessary.
Businesses falling outside of the "essential" classification must follow certain guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19, however. Specifically, no more than 10 people can be in a single place, including customers and employees. Businesses across all sectors are encouraged to allow employees to work from home if possible.
For individuals, the Stone County Sheriff's office has announced they have no intention of stopping people for being out of their houses. Additionally, the Sheriff stated there is no such thing as a workplace travel permit.
"This is a time for common sense," Maples said.
On Friday, April 3, the Stone County Commission signed a resolution recommending all citizens stay at home except for essential workers and essential needs. Later that day, Governor Mike Parson issued an executive order mandating state-wide stay at home conditions.
The county commission, after discussions with the municipalities, voted to enact stay-at-home recommendations for all of Stone County.
This resolution recommended people only leave their homes to perform essential activities, such as shopping for groceries, etc.
However, according to Mark Maples, Stone County presiding commissioner, the governor's order, as an order, supersedes the county's set of recommendations.
The stay at home order will remain in effect until at least April 24, unless state officials determine it should be stopped early or extended further. According to a frequently asked questions document from the Governor's office, the order will be reevaluated prior to it's expiration, "to make sure it does not need to be restricted or extended."
This order will be enforced or supported by local health departments.
The governor's order follows Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency guidelines on the definition of essential businesses.
Importantly, nothing in the governor's order states that businesses must close, even those not considered essential under the order. Local health departments do have the authority to impose stricter rules than those set by the governor, should they deem that necessary.
Businesses falling outside of the "essential" classification must follow certain guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19, however. Specifically, no more than 10 people can be in a single place, including customers and employees. Businesses across all sectors are encouraged to allow employees to work from home if possible.
For individuals, the Stone County Sheriff's office has announced they have no intention of stopping people for being out of their houses. Additionally, the Sheriff stated there is no such thing as a workplace travel permit.
"This is a time for common sense," Maples said.