Entire state of California now under "shelter in place" order
The state of California is about to go under a "shelter in place" order announced on Thursday by Governor Gavin Newsom.
The Governor calls the situation "fluid" and says the order is necessary now because of new projections that show how many people might be infected.
He calls this an "open-ended" order and says he will not put a time frame on how long it could last. He says the next eight weeks are critical for controlling the spread of the virus.
The Governor says more than half of all Californians could, eventually, be infected with the Coronavirus. He says 56% of people living in the state will get it, which would be more than 20-million people.
The shelter-in-place rules will be similar to those already in effect in Fresno, the Bay Area, and other California counties and cities.
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Governor Gavin Newsom made that announcement around 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, March 19.
He says a list of exempt and non-exempt businesses will be released "soon."
In Fresno businesses such as bars, salons, car dealers, and other businesses where large groups can gather, or where people must be in close proximity to each other, are under a shutdown order. Fresno has also ordered that there will be no public gatherings larger than ten people outside of private family homes. People who work for "non-essential" businesses are asked to stay at home and get out only for tasks such as grocery shopping and medical visits.
He says he is worried that there won't be enough hospital beds for all of the victims if nothing is done right now. He says that's one of the reasons he is calling for new rules.
He says if California acts strongly right now he feels the state can keep the number of victims under the number of hospital beds. He said, "let's bend the curve together."
The Governor announced that the state has purchased a hospital in Northern California and will soon announce a second such purchase, this one in Southern California. He also says the state is trying to arrange dorm rooms and colleges and hotel rooms to help house victims if needed.
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He says the state will "overly focus" on those over 65 and those with compromised immune systems. The Governor said he spoke with President Trump and Vice President Pence today about his plan. He said he thanked them for the surgical gloves, masks, and other material that was delivered to the state due to federal efforts.
We have to meet this moment, Newsom said.
He says it's time to tell Californians some tough things that he is telling his family, one of which is that students won't get back to school during the remainder of this school year.
The Governor says the state is working with private businesses to try to get additional protective gear for health workers and others.
