With Cases Rising Rapidly, North Carolina Tightens Existing Mask Requirements and Enforcement

[littlemissmartypants]

Press Release
Executive Order 180 effective Nov. 25th, 2020

Ten More Counties Designated as Red for Critical Community Spread
Raleigh
Nov 23, 2020

Governor Roy Cooper today issued additional COVID-19 safety measures to tighten mask requirements and enforcement as cases continue to rise rapidly in North Carolina and across the country. Executive Order No. 180 goes into effect on Wednesday, November 25 and runs through Friday, December 11.

"I have a stark warning for North Carolinians today: We are in danger," Governor Cooper said. "This is a pivotal moment in our fight against the coronavirus. Our actions now will determine the fate of many."

In addition to extending Phase 3 capacity limits and safety requirements, the Order tightens the existing statewide mask requirement – making it clear that everyone needs to wear a mask whenever they are with someone who is not from the same household. The Order also adds the mask requirement to several additional settings including any public indoor space even when maintaining 6 feet of distance; gyms even when exercising; all schools public and private; and all public or private transportation when travelling with people outside of the household.

The Order also requires large retail businesses with more than 15,000 square feet to have an employee stationed near entrances ensuring mask wearing and implementing occupancy limits for patrons who enter.

Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, updated North Carolina’s COVID-19 County Alert System* map due to the rapid rise in cases and hospitalization over the past week. Since introducing the system last week, ten more counties have moved into the red category indicating critical community spread. There are now 20 red counties and 42 orange counties. Read the update to see where each county stands and how the system was designed.

*https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard/county-alert-system

“The coming weeks will be a true test of our resolve to do what it takes to keep people from getting sick, to save lives, and to make sure that if you need hospital care whether it’s for a heart attack or a car accident or COVID-19, you can get it,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D.

Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan spoke at today’s press conference to discuss what the city of Greensboro is doing to step up enforcement of existing, strong statewide safety rules. State officials have encouraged local governments to take action to require compliance and help lower COVID-19 numbers.

Dr. Cohen also provided an update on North Carolina’s data and trends.

●Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days

North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is increasing.

●Trajectory of Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days

North Carolina’s trajectory of cases is increasing.

●Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days

North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive is increasing slightly.

●Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days

North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations is increasing.

In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread in testing, tracing and prevention.

●Testing

Testing capacity is high.

●Tracing Capability

The state is continuing to hire contact tracers to bolster the efforts of local health departments.

●There have been more than 430,000 downloads of the exposure notification app, SlowCOVIDNC.

Personal Protective Equipment

●North Carolina’s personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are stable.

Snip...

More at the link including links to three PDFs

1) Executive Order 180

2) A Frequently Asked Questions document about the Order and

3) The slides from [November 23rd] today’s briefing.

https://governor.nc.gov/news/cases-rising-rapidly-north-carolina-tightens-existing-mask-requirements-and-enforcement



Please stay safe everyone.
❤lmsp

[OldBaldy1701E]

1. Yeah...

I love how the 'state officials' are passing the enforcement buck to the local governments. That way, those rethugs in office at the state level can continue to deny the entire thing, try their damnedest to derail anything that Governor Cooper enacts, and to rile up their idiot base to make it impossible to contain the virus. As far as I am concerned, any one refusing to wear a mask should be hauled away to quarantine and charged with attempted manslaughter. This is getting ridiculous and those asshats who refuse to live in reality need to be put away until this nightmare is over. Then, they can be released back to continue to be idiots, just not deadly ones. (There are exceptions of course... idiots tend to be dangerous regardless of pandemics, but not as massively dangerous as they are at this time.)

[littlemissmartypants]

2. I have to say that I am feeling a bit pissed off watching my county change for the worst.

I have been so careful since March and my quality of life has definitely deteriorated. I haven't been able to visit my dying father, my mother. The last hug I had was a friend that I crossed paths with voting during midterm elections. I have stopped going to drum circle which was a two to three times a week opportunity to socialize. I miss my tribe.

Most of all, I am pissed at all these idiots screwing things up for everyone! I am feeling like I am holding on by my fingernails and I could easily forgo my normally civilized behavior and lose my religion, as the saying goes.

If I didn’t have my dogs I would have been dead by suicide months ago. Mostly, I am just really mad. But unfortunately, not surprised.

[OldBaldy1701E]

3. I feel ya!

I miss my drum circle as well. (I moved away and cannot find one up here on the tundra... excuse me, Minnesota). Believe me, I am more than pissed at those who would endanger others just because they don't like wearing a mask. Thanks to their lunacy, I am still wearing one!

[littlemissmartypants]

4. Precisely! The real tragedy is that they're too stupid to

understand they're going to potentially prevent themselves from getting sick as well.

[Karma13612]

5. Hubby and I are one week out

From traveling down to North Carolina for the winter.

We will be staying along the coast in the area of Emerald Isle.

We have planned it for a good year or more and just decided to not change our plans. We are coming from a very low % positivity rate in Northern New York. We are going to do 2 over nights to get to NC keeping stops limited to only rest areas for gas and bathroom breaks. We hope to get carry out food for evening meals, while at the hotel.

I am loading up as much food and cleaning supplies as the truck will fit so we can isolate if needed when we get there.

Are any of you familiar with the Emerald Isle area? The other day, I noticed that it was rated as yellow on the COVID map with not many cases.

Any info is much appreciated!

[masmdu]

6. Been going to Emerald Isle since 1977...ask away if you have questions.

[Karma13612]

7. Brilliant!

OK, take your time, but here are some questions:

*Do you live there now? I am curious because I want to know if I need to prepare for any supply shortages. (Toilet paper and cleaning supplies mostly)

*Any good places to visit for nature hikes, sight seeing, etc.

*Any restaurants you would suggest we try, knowing that we probably have to get used to take-out? Here in Northern New York, our COVID rates are around 4% but we still haven’t been eating out. Since we are treating ourselves to a winter away from the snow and cold, we had been hoping to actually have some nice meals out. But, we have to face facts!! COVID is here to stay at least for the time we are visiting!!

*We have researched a lot, but I was curious what the typical winter temperature will be. Hubby figures we will be enjoying daytime highs of 50’s-60’s for most of the time. That means we could keep enjoying the outdoors for most of it.

Anyway, any info or suggestions are much appreciated!
This is a treat for us, and we would like to make the most of it!!

Thanks so much!! Happy Thanksgiving!

[masmdu]

8. Sorry for the late reply...

Hi, sorry I didn't see your reply about EI right away. So, I guess you are there now. I hope you are enjoying it. I live and work in Greensboro but we have a place at EI that we go to whenever we can.
To answer your questions:
**Not there now but we haven't experienced any shortages. Food Lion, Publix (on island) and Lowe's foods over the bridge have everything you may need. We have been using instacart with no problems.
**Sight seeing. We take out kayaks into the sound. There are a couple of places to rent. The end of EI out Coast Guard Rd is a vast expanse of sand and nice for a walk. Fort Macon maybe of interest. If you're venturing far the lighthouses at Hatteras, and Lookout or the Wright brothers monument. NC aquarium mid island. Ok bookstore at Emerald Plantation shopping area....and of course, there's the beach.
**Restaurants. We just do take out for now. Kathryn's, Trading post, Village market are always good. Flippers is hit or miss. Sweet Spot for ice cream...Heading to Swansboro, Bogue House for BBQ, and White River ...towards Atlantic bch try Big Oak drive in for shrimp sandwich and Shark Shack's grouper bites are nice. If you go to Morehead and Beaufort ... Sanitary Fish Market, Floyd's 1921, the Grocery, and City Kitchen.
**Temp. You should get around 58 to 62 during the day. We are rarely there in winter. Our place, (check DU mail) if you care to drive by.
Anyway, a beautiful area. I hope you enjoy yourself. And remember that redneck doesn't always mean conservative. Some good ol boys are quite liberal. That said, it is Trump country.