[NFB_of_Georgia] Fwd: FW: Gwinnett, DeKalb counties issue stay at home orders starting tomorrow

[Dorothy Griffin]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Jo Ann Collins-Johnson <joann369 at bellsouth.net>
Date: Sat, Mar 28, 2020 at 8:45 AM
Subject: FW: Gwinnett, DeKalb counties issue stay at home orders starting
tomorrow
To: Dorothy Griffin <dgriffin at nfbga.org>


They are really getting serious about this virus.



Truly the only way we may get a hand on it is to stay at home and protect
ourselves and our families.



They say that is how China was able to slow down the virus there.



Jo Ann



*Sent:* Friday, March 27, 2020 11:14 PM
*Subject:* Gwinnett, DeKalb counties issue stay at home orders starting
tomorrow



*DeKalb County*

DeKalb County issues Shelter in Place order that goes into effect at 9 p.m.
Saturday.



The shelter in place applies to all individuals living in DeKalb County.
According to the order, “individuals are permitted to leave their places of
residence only to provide or receive certain essential services or engage
in certain essential activities and work for essential businesses and
essential governmental functions.”



“We are trying to save lives from the serious COVID-19 public health
threat,” CEO Thurmond said.



*Gwinnett County*

Gwinett County has issued a Stay at Home order starting at midnight tonight
and lasting until April 13.



– Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash and the
mayors of the cities in Gwinnett have issued stay at home orders for their
respective jurisdictions as a means to protect the health, safety and
welfare of Gwinnett County residents. This move is being made in a
coordinated fashion in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to preserve
the community’s capacity to provide essential governmental and healthcare
services.



Nash said emergency circumstances that exist as a result of the COVID-19
pandemic require extraordinary and immediate corrective actions to protect
the health, safety and welfare of the residents of Gwinnett County.



“We are all navigating uncharted waters as we respond to the COVID-19
public health emergency, and I am grateful to each of the cities for their
decisive actions,” said Nash. “The district commissioners and I would like
to express our deep appreciation to all of our residents and businesses for
making temporary sacrifices for the good of our communities as our
hospitals, healthcare workers, and first responders prepare for a rapidly
growing caseload.”



Gwinnett Municipal Association President Kelly Kelkenberg said Gwinnett’s
16 cities recognize the value of consistent directives for all residents in
Gwinnett County during this critical time.



“The cities have worked to align their emergency decisions with the
directives of Gov. Kemp, guidance from the public health department, and
Gwinnett County’s local emergency orders,” said Kelkenberg, who also serves
as mayor pro-tem for the city of Duluth. “Our residents need to understand
the extreme danger and seriousness of the coronavirus, to which no one has
immunity. We are acting in unison to stem its spread, to keep from
overwhelming our medical facilities, and to save lives.”



Residents may leave their homes to conduct activities that are essential to
their own health and safety and that of family/household members, partners,
significant others, and pets. Essential activities include, but are not
limited to, obtaining food, medication and medical supplies, household
consumer supplies and healthcare services or caring for a family member or
pet in another household. It is also permissible to engage in outdoor
activity, like walking, hiking, running or bicycling, as long as
individuals comply with social distancing requirements.



The local emergency order also mandates all businesses that operate in
Gwinnett County to cease all activity except for the minimum necessary
activities to maintain the value of the business’ inventory, ensure
security, process payroll and employee benefits, and related functions.
This directive applies to for-profit, nonprofit or private educational
entities; it excludes essential businesses. Businesses consisting
exclusively of employees or contractors who work from home may continue to
operate.



All essential businesses are strongly encouraged to remain open while
adhering to social distancing requirements. Such businesses include
healthcare, grocery stores; certified farmer’s markets; organizations that
provide food, shelter and social services to those in need; news agencies;
gas stations, auto supply and auto repair shops; banks; and restaurants
that offer delivery, takeout or drive-thru service. For a complete list,
please refer to the order.



Individuals who work to provide essential services or essential products
may leave their places of residence to carry out these activities.



The order also makes exceptions for essential governmental functions and
essential infrastructure, meaning public works construction, private
construction and related activities, utilities, telecommunications and
solid waste services. First responders, emergency management personnel, 911
dispatchers, court personnel, law enforcement personnel and others who
perform essential services, such as healthcare workers, are exempt from the
order.



This local emergency order will be in effect from 12:01 a.m. on March 28,
2020, through 11:59 p.m. on April 13, 2020, or until it is extended,
rescinded, superseded or amended in writing by the chairman.




-- 
Dorothy Griffin - President
National Federation of the Blind of Georgia
dgriffin at nfbga.org
770-374-4832

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.