With more than 20 cases of COVID-19 confirmed within the State of Mississippi as of today, Governor Tate Reeves and his team hosted a follow up Facebook Live session to his Tuesday, March 16 press briefing.
During the question and answer session, Gov. Reeves answered inquiries submitted online throughout his earlier press briefing. He also offered reminders to viewers that these are unprecedented times for our state and nation, and that much of the information he shares will either change or be updated in the coming days and weeks.
Gov. Reeves covered topics including employee pay, more coronavirus testing sites and school closures. He also stressed the continued importance of practicing thorough hygiene, as well as social distancing from groups larger than 10. He did add that state’s blood shortage has been a concern during this time and encourages all those willing and able to donate to do so. Other items he addressed are:
- Testing Priority: Per the CDC’s instruction, tests for COVID-19 are being prioritized for those who are currently hospitalized; those who are healthcare workers with symptoms; and those apart of elderly or high-risk populations who are experiencing a fever of 104 degrees minimum.
- Groceries and Supplies: People are encouraged to buy groceries and other household items one week at a time. Gov. Reeves explained that there will be no interruption in delivery or stocking of stores. The impact of residents buying out items not only negatively impacts
- School closures: Gov. Reeves shared that he plans to have a meeting concerning forthcoming school closures, Wednesday, March 18. While he could not say for sure how much longer schools would either close or remain close, he did say that it will likely continue through the next week.
- State-wide Lockdown: Some cities and states with more confirmed cases have issued lockdowns for their area. Gov. Reeves explicitly stated the state is not considering those measures at this time.
- Employee Pay: The emergency declaration signed by Gov. Reeves ensures that all state employees will be paid throughout this period. He briefly addressed the stimulus package plans President Trump shared Tuesday, March 17 and has expressed full support.
- Expired Licenses: There will be no tickets given for expired licenses during this time.
You can watch the hour-long session on Gov. Tate Reeves’ Facebook page.