Hopkinsville’s closest major metropolitan neighbor has directed all residents to stay inside their homes except to take care of essential needs such as grocery shopping and going to a pharmacy.
The 14-day “Safer at Home” order from Mayor John Cooper was issued Sunday morning in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
All non-essential businesses must close and residents are expected to stay in their homes, the Metro Public Health Department said. The order does not close restaurants offering carry-out, and residents may pick up food or have it delivered.
The mayors of several Tennessee cities and 10 physicians have asked Gov. Bill Lee to order a similar shelter in place directive for the entire state, the Tennessean newspaper reported. So far, Lee has not.
In Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear and state health officials issued a series of orders this week closing certain businesses, including gyms, salons and bars, while also banning gatherings of more than 10 people. But Kentucky has not yet ordered residents to stay in their homes.
(Jennifer P. Brown is the editor and founder of Hoptown Chronicle. Reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org.)
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
