Richland County to consider stay-at-home order
As Columbia residents hunker down this week under a citywide stay-at-home order, Richland County Council is inching closer to considering its own stay-at-home order for the rest of the county as it leads the state in known COVID-19 cases.
Council members voted on Tuesday to ask county staff to draw up language for a potential ordinance to consider at its next council meeting, as some members urged swift action in response to the spread of the coronavirus. Others, however, expressed skepticism that any move to keep residents at home would be enforceable or legal.
Councilwoman Chakisse Newton said she has heard from constituents who have reported large gatherings in her Hopkins-area district despite calls by Gov. Henry McMaster to limit gatherings to three people.
“Clearly some people are not following the recommendations,” she said.
Councilwoman Dalhi Myers said she has also seen several large crowds in her Lower Richland district in recent days. She pushed back on suggestions from the attorney general’s office that local stay-at-home orders — like those already passed by Columbia and Charleston — would not survive a court challenge.
“The Constitution is not a suicide pact,” she said. “I can’t believe the Supreme Court wouldn’t allow it.”
But others disagreed, citing an opinion of Attorney General Alan Wilson’s office that says only the governor can issue such an order in a statewide emergency. Councilman Bill Malinowski said he believes the rulw would make the county enforcing its own order “illegal.”
When asked his opinion Tuesday, county attorney Brad Farrar told the council he expects a county stay-at-home order, if it were challenged in court, to be tossed out.
“If you pass it, it’s presumed to be valid until it’s challenged,” Farrar said. “But the greater the length of time, the more likely it is to be challenged.”
Others questioned if the size of the county made enforcing stay-at-home countywide unlikely. Deputy Chief Chris Cowen with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department said deputies would not seek to “criminalize” behavior under the ordinance.
“If you’re asking if the sheriff’s department would be making arrests, operationally, that wouldn’t be smart on our end.”
In Columbia, city police are enforcing the stay-at-home order and, before that, a nightly curfew primarily with verbal warnings and the occasional misdemeanor citation.
The council will consider two alternative motions at the same time next Tuesday. Councilman Jim Manning called for a resolution asking McMaster to issue a statewide stay-at-home order. Councilman Joe Walker made a resolution calling for residents to follow the governor’s orders and CDC guidelines.
Both those motions will also be considered at the council’s meeting next Tuesday, but other council members said the scale of the crisis means county council should act quickly.
“If it saves one life, it’s worth going to court to be sued over,” McBride said.
Council approved the motion to draw up a stay-at-home order for consideration by an 8-3 vote, with Malinowski, Walker and Calvin “Chip” Jackson voting against.
Richland County currently leads the state in the number of coronavirus cases, with 148 reported as of Tuesday, including two deaths.
Columbia’s stay-at-home ordinance went into effect on Sunday, with Mayor Steve Benjamin arguing the measure is necessary to save lives and allowed under the city’s own emergency powers in the absence of action by the governor.
It wasn’t the only action council took to address the virus on Tuesday. Council members also voted Tuesday to allow businesses struggling through the coronavirus-induced shutdown to delay paying hospitality taxes until June 20.
The council also moved forward with several coronavirus response efforts, including $500,000 that would buy personal protective equipment for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and other first responders. County Administrator Leonardo Brown called that a “phase one” amount for needs that could eventually account for up to $2.3 million in costs.
Walker said the spending may need to be made retroactive since the coroner and sheriff have already incurred costs as in their response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Council also approved plans for $500,000 that would help provide food for seniors and moderate- to low-income households, and help for small businesses. On the business support initiative, the council moved forward with drawing up criteria without allocating a specific amount set aside.
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.
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