WALTHALL — A statewide shelter-in place order is now in effect and local officials met together Friday to share ideas about how best to support the mandate.
Gov. Tate Reeves, on April 1, signed a new executive order establishing a statewide shelter-in-place for Mississippi to slow the spread of COVID-19, the new coronavirus. He said the order is designed to prevent Mississippi’s health care system from becoming overwhelmed. The stay-home order, which took effect Friday evening and remains in place until 8 a.m. April 20, includes these guidelines:
• Individuals are to stay at home except for the limited allowances in the executive order.
When outside of their homes, people must follow social distancing guidelines by maintaining a 6-foot distance from others and avoid groups of 10 or more.
• Evictions are suspended, though people are still required to pay any rent or make any mortgage payments.
• All nonessential businesses are to stop all activities other than those necessary for minimum operations and enabling employees to work from home.
• Social and other non-essential gatherings in groups of more than 10 people must be canceled or rescheduled.
• Restaurants and bars may only remain open for drive-thru, curbside and/or delivery service.
• People may leave their homes only to perform essential activities, such as caring for someone in the vulnerable population, getting food or necessary supplies and working for an essential business.
• Individual outdoor recreation is encouraged, but not group recreation or activities.
Emergency Meeting
The Webster County Board of Supervisors held its third emergency meeting in response to the threat posed by the COVID-19 virus and to discuss the governor’s order Friday morning at the courthouse.
In addition to the five supervisors, Chancery Clerk Russ Turner and board attorney Buchanan Meek Jr., those present were Webster County Emergency Manager Director Barry Rushing, Eupora Mayor Lamar Dumas, Sheriff David Gore and Mathiston Police Chief Justin Brown — all spread out around the boardroom in observance of social distancing.
“We’ve been aware of everything. We’re pretty much following what the governor has placed out there,” board President Pat Cummings said. “We just don’t want to miss anything. … I think this board and the municipalities and the aldermen have done a great job so far of staying abreast of what’s going on and where we stand.”
Paul Crowley (District 4), vice president of the board, said the governor had asked county supervisors to do everything they possibly could to help their communities be aware of how critical the need is for people to adhere to the guidelines of the order, mainly in regard to social distancing.
“We’re talking about saving people’s lives,” Crowley stressed.
“Our biggest issue is probably going to be the grocery store and social distancing of people inside,” said Brown, who observed that having a big crowd waiting outside a store to enter a few at a time might cause problems in itself.
Meek said, “I think you’ll have a real problem if you try to send officers into a store You have to rely on self-enforcement by retail establishments as best they can.”
Gore also expressed concerns about enacting measures that border on martial law.
“Good common sense will be the rule of the day,” he said, adding that if anyone had a problem area, they could call him and he would go talk to the owner. Rushing noted that the governor’s order gives law enforcement officers the authority to disperse crowds.
Referring to large numbers of people grocery shopping Friday, Cummings said, “A lot of it may take care of itself after 5 p.m. today (when the shelter-in-place order took effect). … Should we give them a chance to see if people respect this order?”
Doug Burgess (District 5) relayed concerns from Mantee Mayor Frances Baker about young people congregating, such as to ride all-terrain vehicles, and then going back home and possibly spreading the virus if any were already infected. Baker, he said, asked that parents ask their children to comply with the 10-person rule.
Whether a curfew should be imposed was also discussed briefly. Dumas, Brown and Gore said they did not think a curfew would help because most people were out during the day and not at night.
Although no formal board action was taken, Crowley said the meeting was not in vain.
“Our communication with each other (and sharing our thoughts) is one of the best things we can do,” he said. “We’ve got to stay together.” He also said those present could let people know, “We’ve sat down and talked this thing out.”
Cummings said, “From here on, we’re going to give folks the guidelines of the governor and keep praying.” He asked that people follow the governor’s stay-at-home order and social distancing guidelines.
Dumas said he thought social distancing was working. He also encouraged people to pray and humble themselves to God, stating, “God will give the answer to this virus.” Cummings concluded the meeting with prayer before adjourning.
Courthouse Precautions
As previously reported, the county board voted April 20 to close the west end of the courthouse and allow only one customer in the building at one time through the east front door. A cleaning station consisting of hand sanitizer and gloves is located inside the front door and all visitors are expected to use the cleaning station, according to the board order.
Courthouse custodian Lavon Manuel is now also providing security at the front door, where a sign is posted that reads, “STOP!!! No Visitors Inside Building!!” He collects any documents and payments from people needing to conduct business at one of the departments housed in the courthouse and takes that to the respective office while they wait outside.
