Will Dunwoody issue a shelter in place order on Wednesday? Who is exempt from sheltering? This list from Homeland Security is a good place to start. @BrianKempGA @CISAgov

If the City of Dunwoody recommends a Shelter in Place Order, this is the document we should follow for exemptions.

 Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce

Wednesday evening I have an emergency Dunwoody City Council meeting but the agenda topics are not yet listed on the web but within the last few hours, the cities around us have placed either mandatory or recommended shelter in place orders for their communities, effective immediately. 

As far as I know, the City of Dunwoody has basically done this with most businesses closed or running on only a skeleton shift for emergency operations.   The cities around us have not defined what is an essential service therefore if the City of Dunwoody does decide to do a shelter in place order, I have suggested to city staff that the attached list from DHS be incorporated as it will be a living document and revised as appropriate.  I would also ask that if Governor Brian Kemp and the State of Georgia were to issue such shelter in place regulations or suggestions that this same list be incorporated so that there is uniformity of expectations across all jurisdictions. If the Governor's Office were to look at the list, it is quite reasonable and may be the right solution to shelter this state appropriately from future harm.

A functioning critical infrastructure is imperative during the response to the COVID-19 emergency for both public health and safety as well as community well-being. Certain critical infrastructure industries have a special responsibility in these times to continue operations.

The guidance and accompanying list from DHS is intended to support State, Local, and industry partners in identifying the critical infrastructure sectors and the essential workers needed to maintain the services and functions Americans depend on daily and that need to be able to operate resiliently during the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Promoting the ability of such workers to continue to work during periods of community restriction, access management, social distancing, or closure orders/directives is crucial to community resilience and continuity of essential functions.   This list though not perfect, it is still being edited by technical experts; therefore it is the best uniformity that we have to set full expectations throughout the community.

As I sit here well past midnight, I don't know what tomorrow brings but I've already heard so many heartbreaking stories of loss and suffering that I believe we as a community are grieving.

Unfortunately for all of us, there are still some of us, that haven't fully accepted the circumstances that we are in.  The first step of grieving is Denial & Isolation, followed by Anger, Bargaining, Depression and finally Acceptance.    At this point in the pandemic with the data staring us in the face, Denial & Isolation is unacceptable, therefore from a City Council perspective, I do not have the luxury of being angry or depressed.  It needs to be a time of action therefore I have accepted the circumstances that we are in and am now working towards a solution.

I believe this will get worse before it gets better so let's be vigilant to do the next right thing and to remember to be kind to one another, a little compassion can go a long way.   As far as those stages of grief that I skipped, I'll cry later if needed but I am working now to lessen the tears.  Stay safe.

John