Good evening Jacket family,
As we navigate week three of Covid-19 school closure, I hope you and your families are adjusting and adapting as much as possible. I know this is a difficult time for all of us. I hope you are giving yourselves some flexibility as you adapt to learning at home. And most importantly, I hope you are protecting your physical and emotional health.
Today, Governor Tate Reeves issued a statewide shelter-in-place order for the entire state of Mississippi to slow the spread of Covid-19 and protect public health. This order is scheduled to begin at 5 pm on Friday, April 3 and end at 8 am on Monday, April 20.
As this outbreak expands across our community and our state, it could impact our school district’s ability to continue to prepare and transport meals. The health and safety of our employees, students and families remains our first priority in our response to Covid-19. We will keep you updated of any changes to our meal service.
I cannot stress enough the importance of following all recommended guidelines as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). You can a find complete list of these guidelines at www.starkvillesd.com/covid19.
In addition, today’s order from the Governor specifically prohibits all non-essential, public and private gatherings of groups of more than 10 people in a single space. It also closes all places of amusement and recreation, including parks, museums, playgrounds, beaches, movie theaters, bowling alleys and social clubs. The order does NOT close walking trails.
As parents and teachers, we also have a responsibility to explain these guidelines to our children to help them understand why this is necessary. All of us are ready to return to a more normal life. The best and quickest way for that to happen is to follow the orders and guidelines we have received and encourage others to do the same.
We will get through this together.
Take care,
Eddie Peasant
Below is the complete release on today’s executive order from the Governor’s office.
Governor Issues Shelter in Place for April 3 Until April 20
JACKSON — Today, Governor Tate Reeves signed a new executive order establishing a statewide shelter-in-place for Mississippi to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of all who call our state home.
The Mississippi Department of Health determined that our state has now reached a critical point in the cycle of the outbreak, and Governor Reeves announced his decision to issue the shelter-in-place order for Mississippi at a press conference this afternoon.
Mississippi is rapidly increasing testing and strictly enforcing quarantines for anyone that investigators believe has been exposed to the virus. The shelter-in-place will begin this Friday, April 3, 2020 at 5:00 PM and be in effect until Monday, April 20, 2020 at 8:00 AM.
You can view the press conference on our Facebook page here.
Here are Governor Reeves' remarks from today's press conference:
GOVERNOR REEVES: This is a somber time—for our country and our state. We are all in grave danger, from coast to coast. As leaders, our top priority is and always will be the safety of our citizens.
Every day, for the last several weeks, I have asked our health experts whether it is time for the ultimate action of a “shelter in place” order statewide. Yesterday, for the first time, we got the answer we had been anticipating. They told me we are now at the point in Mississippi’s cycle where such drastic restrictions are required. Today is the day. We are announcing a shelter-in-place order. It will go into effect on Friday at 5:00 PM.
I will let our top health official, Dr. Dobbs, explain his thought process behind the timing. I just want to offer a simple message to Mississippi:
This will not be easy for anyone, but we believe it is right. We know that there are many people who are scared: wondering what this means for their wages and their ability to put food on the table. We are here for you and working hard to help. Mississippi will not allow you to fall without a hand to help you back up.
We know that there are some who still do not have a healthy fear of this virus. They are wrong, and they are risking lives if they do not take this seriously.
This order will be enforced. It will be taken very, very seriously. It will not be forever. We will get through this and open our state back up as soon as our health experts tell me it is wise.
Our goal is to prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed. I pray that all of our orders and preparations will be enough. We believe that this is the right tool at the right time to save lives.
Today, this is the best course of action for Mississippi. I’ll turn it over to Dr. Dobbs for some more information.
In this latest executive order, the Governor lays out the guidelines of the statewide shelter-in-place to slow the spread of COVID-19, including:
Individuals are to stay at home except for the limited allowances in the executive order.
When outside of their homes, people must follow social distancing guidelines by maintaining a 6-foot distance from others and avoid groups of 10 or more.
Evictions are suspended, though people are still required to pay any rent or make any mortgage payments.
All nonessential businesses are to stop all activities other than those necessary for minimum operations (e.g. payroll, health insurance, security) and enabling employees to work from home.
Social and other non-essential gatherings in groups of more than 10 people must be cancelled or rescheduled.
Restaurants and bars may only remain open for drive-thru, curbside, and/or delivery service.
People may leave their homes only to perform essential activities, such as caring for someone in the vulnerable population, getting food or necessary supplies, and working for an essential business.
Individual outdoor recreation is encouraged, but not group recreation or activities such as soccer or basketball games.
To view the full text of the executive order, click on the link below: https://mailchi.mp/4c76b64f2b5a/governor-tate-reeves-issues-a-statewide-shelter-in-place-to-protect-public-health?e=f324e95665