Between Feb. 29 and April 11, people spent 30% less time at Christian County retail and recreation sites than on average, according to Google location data released Thursday. The tech company’s most recent COVID-19 Community Mobility Report reflects a continued decline in visits to places like restaurants and shopping centers.
Meanwhile, visits to workplaces, grocery stores and pharmacies in Christian County increased when compared to the previous report, which measured visits from Feb. 16 through March 29.
The numbers show a sharp decline in visits to public places during the week of March 15 — when Kentucky saw its first death, the governor ordered the closure of bars and restaurants, Christian County reported its first confirmed case of coronavirus and the state issued a ban on mass gatherings.
When compared to the state, adherence to social distancing in Christian County appears to have lagged slightly behind and remains below state and national averages.
COVID-19 Community Mobility Report from Feb. 29 to April 11
| Location Category | Christian County | Kentucky | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail & recreation spots | -30% | -39% | -45% |
| Groceries & pharmacies | +4% | +3% | -7% |
| Parks | N/A* | +60% | -16% |
| Transit stations | -25% | -36% | -49% |
| Workplaces | -28% | -33% | -38% |
| Residential | +21%* | +10% | +14% |
Google’s mobility reports — calculated using the same type of aggregated, anonymized data used to show popular times for places in Google Maps using cell phone data from users who’ve enabled their location history — reveal how movement trends on a national, statewide and countywide level have changed in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Google says the release of information aims to help public health officials manage their response to the ongoing public health crisis.
Social distancing is a practice designed to slow the spread of contagious diseases by restricting contact with people, especially in large groups. State and federal guidelines include limited time spent in public, staying at least 6 feet from others, and covering your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others. In Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear first urged those with high risk to practice social distancing on March 7. Four days later, he recommended social distancing for everyone.
(Julia Hunter is the webmaster and occasional consultant for Hoptown Chronicle. She has worked as a journalist at several newspapers, including the Kentucky New Era, where she served as a reporter and news editor. She currently lives in Madison, Wisconsin, where she is the membership and communications director for the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. She can be reached at Julia_Hunter622@hotmail.com.)
Julia Hunter is the engagement editor for Hoptown Chronicle. Reach her at julia@hoptownchronicle.org.
