Shelter-in-place for Columbia? Leaders to discuss possibility after Charleston order
After South Carolina’s largest city ordered its residents to stay at home with few exceptions, the state’s capital city now will discuss whether it should do the same to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin said Wednesday that City Council members will meet virtually on Thursday and will discuss the possibility of issuing a shelter-in-place or stay-home order for the city.
“Obviously, every community has been thinking about it, talking about it, watching what’s happening in different states,” Benjamin said.
City leaders will receive legal advice in private about what state law would allow as far as a local stay-home order and what an order complying with state law might look like, Benjamin said. In public, they will discuss the practical nature of any potential shelter-in-place measures.
If Columbia leaders choose to pursue such a measure, they would follow the example of Charleston City Council, which on Tuesday approved an ordinance that orders the closure of non-essential businesses in the city and directs residents to stay home. The ordinance, in effect for 14 days, allows people to make trips to grocery stores, pharmacies and “for other essential services and activities,” Mayor John Tecklenburg said at a news conference Tuesday.
Across the United States, some 175 million people are being urged by state or local orders to stay in their homes as much as possible as of Wednesday, The New York Times reported. Seventeen states along with at least 26 counties and at least 10 cities have issued some sort of stay-home order or guidance, according to the newspaper. Most of those orders allow people to leave their homes to spend time outdoors and visit essential businesses such as grocery stores and pharmacies, or to go to work at such essential businesses.
However, South Carolina’s leaders have been reluctant to follow suit. As recently as Monday, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster said he was not planning on issuing a similar order across the state.
“At this time, ordering South Carolinians to shelter in place is not under consideration,” McMaster tweeted on Saturday. “If we all work together, act responsibly, and take necessary precautions, lives can be saved now.”
McMaster did issue a new measure on Monday that gives law enforcement more discretion to break up groups of three or more people.
“It would be great if we had national action, if we had state action. It’s very difficult with every community acting on their own,” Benjamin said with regards to shelter-in-place measures.
Last week, Columbia instituted a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. to discourage unnecessary gatherings of people. So far, Benjamin said, the curfew has been a success and has indicated that many people are taking the coronavirus situation seriously.
Still, he said, it’s likely the community and the state as a whole need to do more to slow the virus’ spread.
On Tuesday, 44 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in South Carolina, bringing the statewide total to 342 confirmed COVID-19 cases in 36 counties, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
A scientist connected with the University of South Carolina has predicted that the number of coronavirus cases in the state could balloon to more than 4,000 in the next two weeks and nearly 10,000 by April 5.
DHEC is encouraging people to practice “social distancing” to help stop the spread of the virus. Social distancing is staying away from unnecessary interactions with sick people and from large groups of people; it also calls for remaining at home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out.
Symptoms of coronavirus can include a fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing, according to the CDC. Among the emergency warning signs of COVID-19 is trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, and blueish lips or face, the CDC said.
The best way to prevent infection is to frequently wash hands for 20 seconds; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth; avoid contact with sick people and clean frequently touched objects with a cleaning spray or wipe, according to the CDC. DHEC also recommends covering your cough, staying home when sick, and disposing tissues and other items that you’ve sneezed or coughed into.
Free online screenings also can be accessed by all South Carolina residents by going to scdhec.gov/COVID19.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
