As we made our way through town doing our job of reporting the news about the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we had occasion to keep a mental note of businesses that seemed to operating outside the mandates handed down from the Mayor’s office two Tuesdays ago.
The order says no groups of more than 10 people shall gather except in groceries, pharmacies, convenience stores, laundry mats, discount stores and dollar stores.
We noticed full parking lots at several businesses that don’t seem to have a real argument about their necessity.
While the economic activity in the city has slowed and schools, restaurants, casinos and other gathering places have closed, there seem to still be numbers of folks gathering in places that could be primed to pass along the virus.
We remind our readers passing the virus is simple and it can be dangerous, especially for those with a compromised immune system.
Here are the current Centers for Disease Control guidelines:
• Stay home if you are sick, and avoid close contact with anyone who is ill;
• Cover your coughs and sneezes. When possible, cough, sneeze or blow your nose into a tissue, then throw the tissue away;
• If you are sick, especially with shortness of breath, severe cough, fever or severe chest pain, call a doctor or healthcare provider for instructions on how to visit them safely;
• Avoid social gatherings and community events where 10 people or more would come into close contact;
• Practice social distancing advice below when your are in a group of people;
• Avoid unnecessary (non-emergency) air, bus or train travel; and
• Limit visitation to older relatives or friends (especially in nursing or care homes).
