Governor Cooper hints at Executive Order limiting number of customers at essential retail locations
Statement by Governor Roy Cooper at an April 7 press conference:
“Thank you for joining today’s update on where NC stands in our fight against COVID-19. We have 3,221 cases and sadly 46 deaths. My family & I continue to pray for those who have lost their battle with this disease, and for those who are fighting for their lives.
“We are now more than a week into our Stay At Home order. To comply, many of you have transformed the way you live. You’re working from home. You aren’t making unnecessary trips. You are keeping your physical distance. I appreciate those efforts. And I know that our doctors, nurses and health care workers appreciate it, too.
“These social distancing efforts are slowing the spread of the virus, giving our health care system time to ramp up capacity and preventing an overwhelming spike of patients. As confining and frustrating as it is, we have to continue to Stay at Home and other interventions. They are working. And yesterday, a group of experts released a NC-specific model that underscores just how critical social distancing is in our efforts to save lives.
“Social distancing and staying at home is our best weapon in this fight. I know many of you are wondering if this North Carolina model means our Stay At Home order will continue into May. The answer is we just don’t know yet. Modeling is one of a number of tools we are using to make informed decisions in this fight. We’ll look at this and other models, analyze experiences in other countries and states, and consult public health experts and business leaders.
“But it is clear that right now, at least through April, people need to stay at home and keep their social and physical distance from each other. Every day – several times a day – we are looking closely at whether our efforts and interventions are doing enough. I expect to sign an executive order this week for our Department of Health and Human Services to help fast track child care for doctors, nurses and other health care workers and to make more hospital bed space quickly available.
“I’m also glad today to announce financial assistance through NC DHHS for child care for our frontline essential workers. They can’t be out there helping us unless their children are being cared for. Dr. Cohen will talk more about that in a minute. We have received FEMA approval to set up housing alternatives such as hotels or dorm rooms for people now living in shelters who contract the virus and need to be quarantined. This has been a real problem for local governments and we’re glad we can help with this.
“We are preparing an executive order to put more guardrails on social distancing at our essential retailers. I know many stores have already put limits on how many people can be in stores at once, and this will ensure those limits are mandatory across the state.
“Holidays - Good Friday, Easter, Passover - will tempt people to get together. It’s usually a time for families, but it’s not safe to gather with extended family & friends. It's hard to miss out on traditions, but consider your life & the lives of your loved ones. We want everyone present and healthy for next year’s celebrations. Don’t put yourselves or each other in danger. Even though we won’t be together in the pews or at each other’s homes, we are together in spirit.
“Social distancing means we can’t hold our loved ones close, but now IS the time to hold tight to our faith. No matter where we are, or how difficult the path, I know that faith and hope can sustain us through even these hard times.”
Statement by Secretary Mandy Cohen:
“As of this morning: 3,221 cases in 90 counties. 8% in ages 18-24, 42% in ages 25-49, 29% in ages 50-64, and 20% in people 65+. 354 people are currently hospitalized - a significant increase from yesterday when we were at 270. Sadly, there have been 46 deaths. We heard yesterday from data experts: Our stay at home efforts are working to slow the spread. That doesn’t mean that people won’t get sick, it does mean that we are helping fewer people get sick at the same time so hospitals are there for those who need them.
“While most of us are staying home, some North Carolinians are providing the essential services that we all rely upon. Our truck drivers are delivering food or medical supplies. Our grocery store workers are stocking shelves…Our pharmacists are filling needed prescriptions. Our janitorial workers are sanitizing essential workspaces. And of course, our healthcare workers are on the frontlines taking care of those who get sick.
“One thing they all have in common, if they are parents or caregivers of young children, when they go to work, they need to a safe place for their children, where they will be cared for and nurtured. I am proud to share that we have created an Emergency Child Care Subsidy Program to support our essential workers. Through this new program – essential workers can get help finding childcare and get help paying for that child care.
“Our hotline will help families find child care programs that are meeting new health and safety standards and operational guidelines. Families can call (888) 600-1685. For families that need financial support for childcare – they can find the form at http://ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus that they then bring to their selected childcare program.
“We are able to provide this support to our frontline workers because of another group of essential workers – our early childhood teachers and staff. In the best of times, they are our unsung heroes, who care for, love and teach our children.
“They are literally brain builders – supporting children’s healthy development so they have a strong foundation for health and learning. And that’s in the best of times. As we face this pandemic, we know our early childhood workforce is the support system that allows our essential services to be there for us. We will be providing bonuses to all teachers and staff that work in programs serving essential workers.
“Child care programs that stay open to serve essential workers will receive $300 per month for each full-time teacher and $200 for each full-time non-teaching staff member, including administrators, janitors and other support staff. This is just one of many ways our North Carolina team is trying to respond to this unprecedented crisis. Thank you for doing your part to stay at home to slow the spread of the virus. Staying home saves lives. Thank you.”
Statement by Mike Sprayberry, Director of NC Emergency Management:
“Today is day 29 of the State Emergency Operations Center activation for the #COVID19 response. 65 counties have activated local emergency operations centers. All 100 NC counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have declared states of emergency. FEMA has approved the request the state made last week for a non-congregate housing program. This would provide rooms for people in a variety of situations who need individual housing to help slow the spread of the virus.
“This can include: Those who are exposed to or test positive for COVID-19 that do not require hospitalization but need to be isolated. Also, those who have been treated and released from a hospital. People needing social distancing, as determined by public health officials, because they are at high risk due to their age, medical condition or living situation.
“Our recovery section is standing up a support center to assist local governments as they begin setting up non-congregate housing options in their communities in places like hotels and dormitories. This morning the Council of State approved a lease for use of the former Sandhills Regional Medical Center in Hamlet. That hospital closed in 2017, but can now be prepared to provide additional beds to support hospital overflow.
“Our NCEM Recovery Section began Public Assistance applicant briefings last week and those will continue. These are online sessions for local governments and nonprofits to educate them on how to apply for FEMA reimbursement for COVID-related expenses.
“So far, more than 330 cities, towns, counties and nonprofits and hospitals have participated and filed requests for public assistance. Today - the logistics and warehouse teams are moving out shipments of surgical masks to hospitals and first responders. We still have major shortages in personal protective equipment.
“Once again, I want to remind that 911 is for emergency calls only. Please refrain from calling to report stay-at-home or social distancing violations. We need to keep 911 lines open for true emergencies. If everyone stays at home, these calls won't be necessary. 2-1-1 is the place to call for information or help with resources like, food, utilities, child care and other needs. If you call and get a busy signal – it means that all incoming lines are tied up with other callers. Simply wait a while and try your call again.
“For twice-daily information updates on Coronavirus, you don’t have to call – just text COVIDNC to 898211. You can get texts in English or Spanish. Thank you to all our partners, and thank you for your support of the State Emergency Response Team. Call your loved ones daily, look our for friends and neighbors and be kind. With your help, we will get through this together, as one team, one mission, one family.”
In a question and answer session from reporters, Governor Cooper said that 400,000 people have applied for unemployment benefits with 110,000 recipients so far at a cost of $26 million.
He also highlighted how some retail stores are restricting the number of customers in a store based on square footage, including having a staff member stand at the door. Governor Cooper hinted at a soon-coming Executive Order to place restrictions on retail locations across the state.
