Saturday Afternoon Press Conference - Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
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Date: Apr 04 2020 2:31 PM

DOTHAN - HOUSTON COUNTY:    Today, Saturday - April 4, 2020, Dothan-Houston County Emergency Management Director Chris Judah, Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver, Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba and Corey Kirkland of the Alabama Department of Public Health held a 1 PM press conference. The press was held in the Joint Information Center of Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management.

FIRST - the Governor's Order issued - remember when reading it - the first order was issued on March 17 with several amendments, which one amendment was yesterday. So when reading the order from Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, UNDERSTAND READ ALL OF IT.

SECOND - Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba and Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver stressed to read the order from the Governor, read all of the order from the Governor  because it runs from March 17 forward with all of the amended orders.

CLICK FOR ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS

CLICK FOR 11 PAGE STAY AT HOME ORDER OF GOVERNOR KAY IVEY

READ ALL 11 PAGES

The latest order does not mean you can not run your essential errands, like the grocery store and pharmacy. But everyone do not go to the grocery store, just one. What the order defines is stay home unless necessary. You can still go to the walking trial, just remember the distancing order in place.

CURFEW - there are no cufew orders  in place or issued. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey's order is not one of which gives curfews to be inside. The order is one that, in plain spoken english says...DO NOT GO OUT UNLESS AN ABSOLUTE NEED. NO JOY RIDING, HANGING OUT IN GROUPS, A LARGE GROUP GATHERED. Do something no one does these days, STAY HOME! 

You can still go to the parks and walk and be on the lake and fish. Just stay away from people and a distance from others.

ESSENTIAL AND NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESS some of those definitions are food, groceries, medicine, things that are needed. No more then 50% of the occupancy of a business, remaining six feet apart.

The definition provided from Montgomery: essential government functions, healthcare providers and caregivers, the essential infrastructure, manufacturing facilities, agriculture operations and farms, media operations, education operations, financial services, providers of basic necessities to economically disadvantage populations, construction and construction related services, military and defense providers, religious entities, federally designated critical infrastructure, other state-designated essential businesses and operations.

PARKING LOT CHURCH  a lot of questions concerning people in their cars and church held in the parking lot. If so, do not pick up others outside of your household to be with you in the car. But yes, permissible of the pastors set up speakers in the parking lot and deliver the message GOD has placed on his heart to share while you are sitting in your vehicle. You are not fellowship with the others, remain the social distancing.

THE MEDICAL SPECIALISTS are advising, stay away from each other in order to stop the spread of this virus. That is the purpose of these orders.

DOTHAN - HOUSTON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR CHRIS JUDAH   stresses there are a lot of rumors spread that are not factual. Do not believe all you hear.

You also will see emergency services and/or the hospitals doing things they do not normally do.

Judah explains, as Emergency Management, one of the areas of responsibility is to plan ahead and plan for the "what if's". You will see emergency providers and hospitals making plans for "what if's". When you see activity does not mean anything tragic has occurred, just being prepared for the future and worse case situations.

You attempt to plan ahead. COVID-19 is something you could not prepare for. This is nation wide and not just a local event. And "we", the local people, are the calvary. We depend on each other.

The important thing is, everyone remain calm. 

Judah stressed this is not a lock down situation. Plan ahead the things you need. Just limiting the time you get out to get the things you need.

Dothan Fire Deputy Chief Chris Etheridge also stressed do not call 911 or the Emergency Communications Centers for definitions of essential business. They centers have been swamped with calls asking if essential or not.

Be patient and remain calm. 

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