Yard sales in Lexington? They’re nonessential, unlawful during coronavirus, cops say
Shut it down.
That’s what the Lexington Police Department is saying to any resident holding a yard or garage sale during the coronavirus pandemic.
On Saturday, police said they received several calls about yard sales taking place in the town of Lexington.
These sales are considered nonessential businesses that have been ordered closed by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, police said.
Additionally, the neighborhood events violate social distancing mandates, bringing groups of too many people together in too confined of an area, according to police.
“While we realize that everyone has had a lot of time for spring cleaning, a yard sale is not an ‘Essential Activity’ and creates unnecessary and unlawful gatherings of people,” law enforcement said in a release.
Information was not available about whether police have needed stop any ongoing yard sales or have issued citations to residents.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control is encouraging people to practice social distancing to help stop the spread of the virus. That means refraining from unnecessary interactions other people and staying away from large groups; it also calls for remaining at home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out.
“To practice social or physical distancing: 1. Stay at least 6 feet from other people, 2. Do not gather in groups, and 3. Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings,” according to McMaster’s April 7 executive order.
There has been mixed reaction to the police statement about yard sales.
Many people have voiced their support for the police and asked fellow residents to be more considerate during this time.
“Please just be courteous to others and follow the guidelines before they have to take drastic measures to protect you!!” one woman said in a Facebook comment about the garage sales.
Another person wrote, “In the case of a pandemic, (you’re) not only risking killing yourself, you’re risking the lives of others too. You want to clean out and sell stuff. Use ebay, Facebook, etc for non-contact sales.”
One woman took a tough stance, saying “They need to be fined!! Teach them a lesson!”
Others think law enforcement officials should back off.
“Some are so willing to give up their rights. That’s right, call the stormtroopers on your neighbor,” one person commented.
One man said police were violating First Amendment rights, commenting, “Mind your own Damn (business) Lex.County!!!!!I have freedoms through the US Constitution!!!I will not be a Subject to this Tyranny!!!!!!”
“They probably need what little bit they can get from yard sales to put food on the table since you shut the businesses down and they lost their job,” another man argued.
Since testing began in early March, 202 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported in Lexington County, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. That includes six patients who died after testing positive for the coronavirus.
On Saturday, 144 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in South Carolina, bringing the statewide total to 3,207 confirmed COVID-19 cases in all 46 counties, according to DHEC.
DHEC also announced that eight more people died after testing positive for the coronavirus, raising that total to 80. State health officials described 71 of the people as elderly, nine patients were middle-aged, and all but five had underlying medical conditions.
“There is currently no cure or vaccine,” the South Carolina Emergency Management Division said.
There have been 26,886 combined negative tests at DHEC’s public health laboratory and at private labs.
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 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.
As of Sunday morning, 1,789,985 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 109,823 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States leads the world with 530,006 people who have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S. 20,608 deaths have been reported, including 6,367 in New York City, Johns Hopkins reports.
This story was originally published April 12, 2020 at 11:00 AM.
