Posted on 03/27/2020 5:35:29 PM PDT by kaintucky
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday tightened restrictions on businesses and banned residential evictions under a state of emergency declaration aimed at addressing the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic. He also said Kentuckians will begin to see National Guard and additional law enforcement at local hospitals beginning this week.
“This isn’t something to be concerned about. No one is patrolling your neighborhood,” Beshear said. “We are just making sure everyone inside our hospitals is safe as we see a surge in coronavirus cases. Remember, the National Guard are people you work with and see every day; they just don’t wear their uniform. They are going to help us get through this time to make sure we can help everyone who needs help.”
Beshear also offered details about a new executive order as he warned against complacency in Kentucky’s fight against the COVID-19 outbreak. The order states that only life-sustaining businesses may remain open, effective Thursday at 8 p.m.
“The next two to three weeks are going to be absolutely critical in our battle against the coronavirus,” he said. “What you are doing is working. Your sacrifice is helpful. What we have done and the steps we are taking are helping. I am proud of what we are doing, but in these next two weeks we have to do even better.”
Since the first case was detected in the commonwealth, Beshear has encouraged all Kentuckians to remain “Healthy at Home.” Wednesday’s order expands efforts to limit in-person contacts to help prevent the spread of the virus. Beginning at 8 p.m. Thursday, all non-life-sustaining businesses must close to in-person services.
Exempted businesses include grocery stores, gas stations, hardware stores and media outlets, among many others. The sale of firearms and ammunition also is exempted. The executive order outlines the types of businesses that are exempted.
La Tasha Buckner, the governor’s chief of staff and general counsel, provided additional information on the order.
“We want everyone to be ‘Healthy at Home,’ which means we want you to go to the grocery store, bank and pharmacy, but what we don’t want you to do is stay in the bank or a grocery store just to be out of the house,” Buckner said. “As you need those things, please go there and spend the minimum time you need to get what you need and move on.”
The businesses that can stay open include: grocery stores, drug stores and pharmacies, banks, hardware stores, agricultural operations, gas stations, media, businesses needed for transportation, logistics, shipping, delivery and pick up, housing, building and construction, laundry, financial services, home-based care and services, professional services, manufacturing and other businesses key to national interests or life-sustaining goods or services, and those covered under the federal critical infrastructure sector.
Most professional services, including attorneys, accountants and those in real estate, can be performed at home. As the governor has said previously, restaurants can remain open for delivery, curbside pickup and even carry out if they follow guidelines on social distancing
In addition, to protect Kentuckians whose livelihoods have been affected by the coronavirus response, Beshear ordered a halt to all residential evictions as long as the state of emergency remains in effect.
Dr. Steven Stack, Commissioner of the Department for Public Health, said Kentuckians are doing a lot to stop the spread of the virus, but everyone needs to do more as the state reaches a critical point in the battle.
“We are in crunch time and the next two to three weeks are critical,” Stack said.
“Kentucky – these next two weeks are about us – about us doing everything we can to blunt the curve,” Beshear said. “This is our time and we must absolutely pass this test.”
Beshear said Kentucky has its first case of someone going on spring break and testing positive for COVID-19 after returning. The governor and Stack told those who went on spring break around gatherings of other people that they should self-isolate when they return so they do not spread COVID-19.
“Don’t go on spring break. You are going to put your health, the health of your family and the health of those around you at risk,” Beshear admonished.
With the number of positive cases rising quickly across both the country and the commonwealth as more testing capabilities come online, the governor is urging everyone to stand firm against any rollbacks or lessening of defenses.
Each day at 5 p.m., Beshear is holding briefings for Kentuckians online at his Facebookand YouTube pages.
They had to put NG at one of the testing sites near me. People were trying to push in for testing creating a free for all.
This is why panic is the number one enemy, and we must fight it
so stridently.
I don’t want troops everywhere, simply because folks can’t keep
themselves under control.
Papers, please!
They will be doing searches for Chloraquin like it is Crack Cocaine
And they don’t take these steps for the seasonal flu season every year because????? Let them try to say that doing so would not make for fewer deaths from seasonal flu related illnesses.
Data point.
L
“They had to put NG at one of the testing sites near me”
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Where are you located???
Doesn’t this Dem hate guns and has 0 rating from the NRA?
Why is a gun hater, bringing in probable National Guard people with guns?
A member of Maryland’s NG just tested positive. Hope he and his unit are ok.
The site was in Danbury CT
To remove the guns from a citizenry he believes shouldn't have them and to keep the prisoners they are releasing safe when they start committing crimes on the citizenry.
Well this only makes good sense. You know, after all the hospital riots... /s
Little Anxious Andy. A star in his own mind. Desperately seeking relevance.
Trying to light the fires of fear among Kentuckians and his own chances of furthering his political ambitions.
Andy is a complete waste if oxygen to anyone who has the slightest amount of common sense. He needs to apply for the job of School crossing guard. Adults don’t need his repetitious advice. Don’t forget your umbrella. Try to pee before we get in the car to go. Don’t forget your lunch money. Thanks Andy Mommy
Yes that’s the impression I have of the guy, and I’m in California, or maybe because I’m in California.
There have been several instances in Texas of supplies being stolen from hospitals in the last few days. Terrible scum that would do that.
Ya think they may be readying to keep people IN rather than keep people OUT?
Ya think they may be readying to keep people IN rather than keep people OUT?
1) The seasonal flu is not as contagious
2) The seasonal flu is not as deadly
3) Much of the population is immune or resistant to it as has been around many, many years and due to the fact there is an annual vaccine for it which a significant portion of the population gets, including nearly all healthcare workers.
Kind of a significant difference. Facts matter.
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