County Executive Ryan McMahon again explained the new voluntary shelter-in-place system as he says social distancing practices are weakening at his Monday daily briefing. To thin density, McMahon wants county residents to only go outside on certain days based on their birth year.
Those born in even years should only go outside on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays while those born in odd years should leave the house Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
“Let’s buy into this. Let’s get through this for the next two weeks, three weeks,” said McMahon. “But I think we’re seeing data that if we hunker down for two weeks, we’re going to put ourselves into a position for success.”
The number of new cases increased by 13 to 377 on Monday. McMahon said new cell phone data shows that Onondaga County has gotten worse at social distancing. An independent monitor has downgraded the county from a B rating for social distancing to a C-.
“The cases we have seen of recent demonstrate behavior that was avoidable. And that is more quarantines and more positives because of avoidable behavior,” said McMahon. “It’s never really the sick person that’s the problem, right. It’s the people in a quarantine that don’t think they should be in one that becomes a problem. So, when people are out doing things they don’t have to do, you present an opportunity for the virus to jump from one host to another.”
In line with CDC recommendations, McMahon also said residents should wear masks when they leave the house and will be around other people.
POTENTIAL PUBLIC EXPOSURE
The Onondaga County Health Department has identified four places of possible public exposure after employeess tested positive for COVID-19. Officials urge those present at these locations on these dates to montior their health for the next two weeks:
- Walgreens (4001 S. Salina St)- March 27, 28, 30, 31
- Walgreens (4751 Onondaga Blvd)- March 27, 28, 29, 30
- Kinney Drugs (437 Electronics Parkway)-March 27, 29
- Hallinan's Wine and Liquor (W. Genesee St)-March 30, 31
CLOSURES CONTINUE
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has extended the closure of non-essential businesses and schools to April 29th. The next two weeks are expected to be critical for the state in managing the virus. Given this, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon has ordered a voluntary shelter in place from April 7th to April 21st, except for essential employees at essential businesses.
Golf courses in Onondaga County will close until April 27th after an Executive Order from McMahon. State-operated golf courses will be exempt from this closure. McMahon said Park Rangers are monitoring traffic in parking lots at county parks and assessing them day by day.
