In this Coronavirus pandemic, I think we need more helpful information than misleading or panicking news. More states seem to plan to follow New York and California to execute the order to stop people from moving around in order to stop the spread of coronavirus, which I definitely strongly support and think it should have come much earlier in all states with rapidly-increasing confirmed cases.

Here is an article I’d like to share: by Erica Schweigershausen, “Shelter-in-place and Stay-at-Home Orders: What They Mean?” on March 20, 2020 (https://www.thecut.com/2020/03/what-does-shelter-in-place-mean.html).

To quote some from the article, for the reasons of convenience for reading and records,

“California’s new stay-at-home order requires residents to stay home except for certain “essential” activities, which include buying food and seeking medical care. Officials emphasized that the orders did not bar people from leaving their homes, and encouraged residents to take walks — provided they stay at least six feet away from anyone not in their household — and go to grocery stores.

In California, most retail stores and corporate offices in the state have been ordered shut. However, “essential” businesses like grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, and laundromats will remain open, and municipal services like buses will continue to run. Residents are not supposed to leave home for work unless they work for an “essential” business, which includes health care.

The executive order announced in New York, which goes into effect on Sunday night, looks pretty similar. All nonessential businesses have been ordered to keep workers home, though this doesn’t include grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants and bars (which can offer takeout and delivery only), laundromats, health-care operations, child care, and other essential services. Public transportation will keep running to allow essential workers to commute, though New Yorkers should not use it unless absolutely necessary. Cuomo also banned “all nonessential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason.”

“Speaking on Friday, Cuomo stressed that New Yorkers were not being ordered to “shelter in place,” noting that the term evokes panic. That said, the restrictions in New York and California look similar to the shelter-in-place order that went into effect in the San Francisco Bay Area on Tuesday. In the Bay Area, officials said that people could leave their homes to take care of the health and safety of anyone in their household, including pets. Restaurants remain open for takeout and delivery, and people who provide other essential services — such as delivering food, mail or packages, picking up garbage, and maintaining electrical systems — should continue to go to work. Residents are allowed to go outside, but are not supposed to travel (by any means) unless it’s for an essential activity.”

“Announcing the New York orders on Friday, Cuomo said there would be civil fines and mandatory closures for any businesses that did not comply. “These provisions will be enforced,” Cuomo said. “These are not helpful hints.” In the Bay Area, failure to comply, ‘is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both.’”