EAMC’s Guidelines: How to Social Distance and Save Lives
For weeks before Governor Ivey’s “Stay at Home” order was put in place last Friday, EAMC had been pleading with the public to shelter in place at home. While we were all very relieved to hear Governor Ivey issue the order, unfortunately, due to the many exceptions in place in the order, not much has changed in our community since it went into effect on Saturday. Children are still playing together, people are still congregating in public places, and stores are packed with people.
Looking at our predictive modeling tool, in order us to flatten the curve and save lives in our community, social distancing needs to be at 100 percent. To help clear up any confusion or uncertainty of what this means and what EAMC is asking the community to do, here are our guidelines for social distancing and sheltering in place at home, despite any exceptions that may have been made in the official state Stay at Home order.
We ask all members of the community to adhere closely to the following guidelines to help protect themselves, their families, and to save lives:
Shelter in place at home
What this means: staying at home with immediate family members only, or those who normally live with you, and not leaving your home except for essential activities such as food, medical care, or work.
What this doesn’t mean: Having friends, neighbors or family members over to your house or going to their house. If they don’t normally live with you, you do not need to spend time with them until the threat of the virus has decreased.
Leave home only for essential activities
What this means: Leaving home to access food only when absolutely necessary, going to work if you cannot work from home, or receiving essential medical care.
What this doesn’t mean:
Food
· Going to the grocery store if you don’t have to. Get groceries delivered if at all possible.
· Going to the grocery store more than necessary or for non-essential items. Read more about grocery store tips here.
· Going inside restaurants to pick up food or get it to-go. Instead, choose a restaurant that has a drive-thru or curbside pick-up.
Leisure
· Going to parks, playgrounds, nature preserves, or public places (i.e. having a picnic on Samford Lawn)
· Going to the lake if you don’t normally live there
· Taking your dog on a walk where you don’t live, or to a dog park
· Playing golf, tennis, or other sports that do not take place at your home
· Going to your neighborhood pool or a pool at a friend’s house
· Going on a walk with a friend or anyone who you do not live with
· Allowing your children to play with friends or anyone other than your own children, even if they stay outside and maintain a 6-foot distance.
· Visiting aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc.
Group Gatherings
· Attending or hosting bible studies or small group gatherings
· Volunteering in groups
· Attending or hosting birthday celebrations, even if everyone in attendance is 6 feet apart
Health and Wellness
Going to the dentist, chiropractor, massage therapist, therapy or other such wellness visits that are non-emergent.
Other
· Going to the hardware store or supercenter to get gardening or home items that are not essential.
· Going to non-essential businesses "just to drop something off" that could be postponed, mailed, faxed, or emailed
Do not attend traditional church gatherings, even if your place of worship continues to have services.
What this means: Stay home and listen or watch church services virtually. We have solid proof right here in our community that people gathering at churches as well as funerals is a very serious matter and sadly, has caused many hospitalizations and even deaths. The risk for both is just too great.
What this doesn’t mean:
· Inviting friends or family over to watch/listen to virtual church services at your home
· Picking up people in your care and taking them to drive-in services
Follow proper guidelines while at home and if you have to leave your home for essential activities
What this means:
· Wash hands regularly and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds a time throughout the day using soap and warm water or and an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
· Do not touch your face – hands can pick up many viruses on surfaces and can transfer them through your eyes, nose and mouth.
· If you do leave your house for essential activities (outlined above), maintain at least a 6-foot distance between yourself and others at all time.