The Tri-State Area Shuts Down

Ohio GOP Gov. Mike DeWine is joining several large states in issuing a statewide shelter-in-place order beginning Monday night through April 6.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in his update Sunday Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton is ordering a stay at home order or shelter in place order for all Ohioans. The order is in effect beginning 11:59 p.m. Monday and is in effect through April 6.

"We are at war," he said. "And in a time of war we have to make sacrifices."

He said we are at a crucial time in the war and what we do now will slow the invading virus and buy time for hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients.

Ohio stay-at-home order exceptions include leaving home for essential activities for health and safety, necessary supplies and services, outdoor activity (but playgrounds closed), "essential" work to take care of others such as a family member, friend or pet in another household.

The governor is also ordering nonessential businesses to close.

This follows orders a week ago to bars and restaurants, and other businesses, such as barber shops, hair and nail salons and movie theaters, bowling alleys and other recreation venue.

There are health, safety, and food exceptions:

• If it's a matter of health and safety: This includes seeking emergency services, obtaining medical supplies or medication, or visiting a health care professional.
• For necessary supplies and services: To obtain groceries or food, household consumer products, supplies needed to work from home get auto supplies (including dealers, parts, repair and maintenance).
• For outdoor activity: These include walking, hiking, running or biking. Individuals may go to public parks and open recreation areas, however, playgrounds are closed.
• Certain types of work: To perform work providing essential products and services
• To take care of others: Including a family member, friend or pet in another household and to transport those as allowed by the order. This includes weddings and funerals.

We'll see how seriously people take this order.  I expect that for the most part, everyone will comply, but I also expect a hell of a lot of panic buying and people in the Cincinnati area driving to Indiana and Kentucky to do things.

Speaking of Kentucky, Gov. Beshear is also shuttering all non-essential businesses "to in-person traffic" as of Monday night, but stopping short of shelter-in-place.

Gov. Andy Beshear announced 16 new cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky Sunday as the number of cases rose to 103, reaching triple digits for the first time with more cases expected to come. He also said all non-essential businesses in Kentucky must close to in-person traffic by 8 p.m Monday.

At least three of those novel coronavirus cases are in Fayette County, bringing the total in Lexington to 15. There were five new cases in Jefferson County, one in Christian County, one in Hardin County, one in Henderson County and one in Northern Kentucky. The location of four new cases has not yet been reported.

“The number of people that get the coronavirus isn’t going to be nearly as important as the number of people who get better after getting the coronavirus,” Beshear said.

Beshear’s numbers do not appear to include new cases reported Sunday in Jessamine and Madison County. Also Sunday, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul announced he had tested positive for COVID-19 despite having no symptoms.

While grocery stores, pharmacies, drug stores and gas stations will be allowed to stay open, Beshear’s order will shutter places like clothing stores, book stores, sporting good stores and all other places that sell items that aren’t considered critical.

Beshear said unemployment applications are up 30 times compared to this time last year, which he said is a good thing because there should be no stigma in receiving public assistance.

Oh, and there's still no test kits in the area.

We'll see if any neighboring states follow suit.  Pennsylvania already has. Michigan would probably be next but Gov. Whitmer is not considering going that far.  For my Ohio and Kentucky readers, stay at home, stay safe, follow the guidelines.  Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has issued a similar order for his state effective 5 PM tomorrow, I would expect Indiana to get around to it at some point too.

Every needs to pay attention, the situation is moving quickly.