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Last week’s decision by the Perry County Commission to issue a shelter-in-place or “stay-at-home” order to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the county caused a bit of confusion among some county residents.
According to Perry County Sheriff Gary Schaaf, that confusion led to a number of phone calls from concerned residents.
“Specifically, people are concerned that they are going to be arrested or written a ticket for going to work, going to doctor’s office or the grocery store or just stopping to get gas,” Schaaf said in an email to local media. “Rumors and hysteria, folks. Rumors and hysteria.”
Schaaf assured county residents that “the sky is not falling.”
“We have no plans at this time to issue summons or arrest anyone,” Schaaf said. “Things will have to get a lot more serious than this before something like that would even be discussed, let alone implemented.”
The county commission’s order will remain in effect until April 24, and was scheduled for review and a possible extension today.
“Community leaders have issued notices to be aware of the coronavirus in our area and take appropriate precautions to help limit the spread of this disease,” Schaaf said. “Social isolation every chance you get, and if you don’t have to be somewhere, consider not being there. It’s as simple as that.”
Perryville Police Department spokesman Cpl. Jeri Cain said her department had also fielded several phone calls related to the order, as did the county clerk’s office, which issued answers to a list of frequently asked questions in the wake of the order.
“They have asked everyone to shelter in place and limit contact with others as much as practicable,” Schaaf said. “That means stay home as much as you can. They have issued a listing of ‘essential activities’ for guidance and that list is long and comprehensive. In short, you can do almost anything you would normally do if, in fact, you need to do it.”
Schaaf stressed the need for social distancing, but said everyone understands that some things must be done.
“People need to eat, and farmers need to feed their livestock,” Schaaf said. “If you got off work and need to get gas and run by a grocery store on the way home, you can do that. Just don’t run all over the place and visit several stores or gather with friends right now. Limit your contact with other people right now.”
Schaaf said “cooperation and consideration” are key words to remember while the order is in place.
“The coronavirus is in our community and if we all practice the recommendations issued by our local leaders, it can die out and go away without spreading too much further,” Schaaf said. “Why take a chance of catching it and spreading it to someone who will suffer greatly from it? [Our community leaders] have everyone’s best interests in mind, and are just asking for cooperation and consideration for others.”
