Dunwoody Crier — March 26, 2020

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Businesses scramble to adapt as customers keep their distance

Area hospitals prepare for possible influx of coronavirus patients

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M a r c h 2 6 , 2 0 2 0 | T h e C r i e r. n e t | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | S e r v i n g t h e c o m m u n i t y s i n c e 1 9 7 6

Dunwoody Council declares emergency, closes dine-in eating By CARSON COOK carson@appenmediagroup.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — During an emergency teleconference meeting March 18, the Dunwoody City Council unanimously declared a city state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The action follows President Donald Trump announcing a national state of emergency March 13 and Gov. Brian Kemp declaring state of emergency for Georgia March 14. Under the provisions of the city emergency act, essential services like police and public safety will continue, but much of the city’s normal business is on hold or online only.

Later that day, the council held another teleconference emergency meeting to set temporary rules for bars and restaurants. The ordinance advises establishments to cease dine-in services immediately and makes compliance mandatory beginning Friday, March 20 at 9 p.m. “I totally empathize with the restaurant owners, and the whole thing is crushing to me,” Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said. “This is just disastrous, and I also don’t think we’ve hit the worst of any part of this … None of this is easy for any of us. This is a really extraordinary time.” Restaurants will be allowed to offer delivery or takeout. Establishments that are authorized to sell beer and wine on

premises will be allowed to sell unopened beer and wine for takeout. The emergency state is set to be repealed April 17, but can be suspended sooner or extended longer as circumstances change. Under the state of emergency, the City Council may continue to conduct meetings via public teleconferences. Council business is limited to policymaking directly related to COVID-19, public health and safety or fiscal operations. Long-term planning, zoning, policymaking unrelated to public health, presentations and proclamations have been suspended until the city is no longer in a state of emergency. City boards, like the Planning Commission or Sustainability

Committee, will not meet. All matters requiring a public hearing are paused until the emergency is no longer in effect. Any permits currently in effect that require a public hearing for renewal or extension, such as an alcohol permit, will not lapse and will be extended until public hearings are resumed. The city closed City Hall to the public March 14. Non-essential staff are working remotely. “Our priority is to keep everyone safe and healthy,” Deutsch said. “I’m grateful for the preparation by staff to be ready to telework. Dunwoody’s greatest strength is our community, and I know

See COUNCIL, Page 6

DeKalb County, school officials present latest updates at town hall By CARSON COOK carson@appenmediagroup.com DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County held its second COVID-19 virtual town hall meeting March 19 to address fears and misconceptions surrounding the pandemic. 6 66 66 6 66 6 Panelists discussed medical updates, distance learning and county and municipal preparedness, and answered questions submitted from residents “These are interesting times to say the least,” County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw said. “The coronavirus has presented us with some challenges, but these are challenges we will meet and SPECIAL ultimately overcome together.” @ @ @ @ DeKalb County CEO Michael Thur@ @ DeKalb County CEO Michael ThurPage11 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 3/4/1911:16 11:16 AM AM Page @ @ mond’s @ 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout main message was03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout that the 1 13/4/19 mond’s main message was that the 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 1 3/4/19 11:16 AM Page 1 1 3/4/19 11:16 AM Page 1 @ county will continue essential services. county will continue essential services @ @ @ @

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ed this does not mean staying indoors. like water treatment, sewage and sanitaWalks, runs or hikes outdoors are not tion uninterrupted. He encouraged resionly safe, but a great way to maintain dents to thank these unsung heroes, as your physical and mental health during well as first responders and healthcare this period of “social distancing,” they professionals. said. District Health Director Dr. Eliza“I prefer to call it physical distancbeth Ford and Dr. Alexander Isakov, the founding executive director of Emory ing,” Ford said. “We are actually trying University’s Office of Critical Event Preto encourage a social connection. We’re encouraging social media for folks who paredness and Response, shared their are quarantined. Everyone has cabin medical expertise. fever like nothing I’ve ever seen, so we’re They noted new research indicates encouraging people to reach out and COVID-19 can survive on surfaces for hours or possibly even days, heightening connect with each other in other ways.” District Interim Superintenthe importance of sanitizing surfaces. > >dentSchool Doctors now do not recommend Ramona Tyson answered ques> taking > > > Advil or Ibuprofen to treat symptoms of > tions about online learning. To view the > > > > entire town hall, visit facebook.com/ the coronavirus, they > >said. > > > > While they recommended >   > > everyone   >ItsInDeKalbGA/. >   act as though they >are >sick and mini> > >  > > mize their contact with> others,> they notSee DeKALB, Page 2 >

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