Governor Cooper: "There IS something you can do. You can stay at home."

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Governor Roy Cooper made the following statement in a press conference on Friday afternoon:

“In NC, we now have 2,093 confirmed cases of COVID-19 covering nearly all counties. Sadly, we are also reporting 19 deaths and 259 hospitalized. We continue to pray for the families of these souls, as well as the people currently sick and recovering.

“Even as we acknowledge passing 2000 cases, we are entering the first weekend of my order to Stay at Home. I need you to do that. I know it’s tempting to get away from all this and gather with friends and extended family. Don’t.

“This virus is still spreading quickly, no one is immune, there is no vaccination, and social distancing is our best protection. Now is not the time for beach trips or neighborhood cookouts. If you must be with other people, please heed the order that bans gatherings of more than 10 and recommends staying 6ft or more away from each other. It could save your life and prevent the spread of the virus to people you care about.

“Even though we don’t yet have medicines to stop the virus, we do have something that can. People. Stopping the spread is in our control. If we avoid gatherings, wash our hands, stay at home as much as we can, and if we keep our physical distance. These things work.

“As we continue our state-level efforts against this coronavirus, we want you to know we’re fighting this battle on many fronts. The first front is the fight for medical supplies and personal protective equipment. This is a bad situation, folks. North Carolina has received three shipments from the Strategic National Stockpile. We are grateful for these supplies, but to be clear we’ve gotten just 33% of what we’ve asked for.

“They have told us not to expect more soon. Of course, we know we can’t rely solely on the national stockpile. Our emergency management teams are working around the clock to find the equipment that is so badly needed by those on the frontline of this pandemic. But we’re not the only ones. Right now, governments at every level, hospitals, law enforcement and others are competing against each other for a scarce amount of personal protective equipment.

“I know many of you have experienced this on a personal level. You go online to buy cleaning wipes or disinfectant spray, and it goes in your online cart, but when it comes time to pay, the screen says the order can’t be filled and the items are out of stock. So, here in North Carolina, we are encouraging manufacturers across the state to shift their production lines to create the masks, gloves, gowns and other materials we so desperately need. Some are responding positively.

“I know the President has ordered some companies to ramp up production of ventilators. This is important and badly needed. But the federal government can and should do more to direct industries to help produce masks, gowns, gloves and other supplies. This pandemic is a war, and we need the armor to fight it. Another front we’re fighting is helping people whose jobs and livelihoods have been lost in the blink of an eye due to this cruel virus.

“Through Executive Order, I have made unemployment insurance more widely available. But we know that has also put unprecedented strain on the system. More than a hundred times as many claims as usual have been filed. I know it’s been a struggle to file claims and get questions answered on the phone. Every claim represents a family on the edge. Every claim is critical – and I will continue pushing until this is fixed and the process works more smoothly.

“Lockhart Taylor, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for the Division of Employment Security, briefed you yesterday on efforts to improve and increase capacity for unemployment benefits. I expect them to do this quickly. And he’s here today if you have more questions. And of course, we are battling on our most important front to keep people healthy and safe. We remain concerned about our congregate living facilities where people are confined and live closely together. Secretary Cohen will discuss this issue in a minute.

“We are also closely monitoring our hospitals to make sure they have enough beds and people to care for seriously ill patients. Again, this is an area where everyday North Carolinians have the power to help. If you are home feeling nervous or powerless there IS something you can do. You can stay at home. You can keep physical distance. You have the power to slow the spread.

“Thank you to the North Carolinians who are Staying at Home. You are protecting yourselves, your families, your neighbors and our critical workers. You are saving lives. The weekend is coming up. Lots of Tar Heel blue skies are in our forecast. I know it’s hard, but stay at home anyway. We are in a crucial time period for flattening the curve, and we still need you to step up. If we all do our part, we’ll get through this.”