MD stay at home defined by the Gov's assistant Ricci

[Firebolter]

Taken from the Baltimore Sun---dated 2 April. Specifically of Note is #7

Days after the MD Stay at Home directive was issued, Marylanders still have questions and many are asking the governor’s spokesman, Mike Ricci, directly.
We’ve highlighted 10 of the most frequently asked questions Ricci has answered on Twitter since Hogan issued the order:

1. Yes, you can still go outside.
Walking or running around your block or going for a hike at a local county or state park is OK. Taking your dog for a walk is fine, too. The governor’s office just asks that you practice social distancing as you come across others and above all, use common sense.
2. Can my nanny still come watch my child?
Yes. Nannies fall under the category of “residential service," which is classified as an essential service, Hogan’s deputy communications director Kata D. Hall said in a tweet.
3. Can I set up a play date for my child?
Probably not the best idea.
Coronavirus is highly contagious and easily transmitted. Because of this, Ricci says play dates — and other nonessential gatherings — should be no-gos.
“We want people to use remote forms of communication as much as possible,” he said.
4. If I’m an essential employee, do I need to carry a letter that says where I work?
It depends. According to Ricci, the governor’s chief legal counsel said it is “advisable” for employers to provide workers with a letter in case they get stopped by law enforcement. But ultimately it is up to the individual organization to decide.
“The burden here is on the employer,” the legal counsel told Ricci.
5. I commute to a different state for work, groceries or essentials. Can I still go?
Yes. People are encouraged to try to limit their travel as much as possible, but if it is a necessity to go across state lines, it is OK, Hall said in a tweet.
6. I’m supposed to move to a new place to live. What now?
You can still move to a new residence, Ricci said. However, it is important to take extra precautions. But as long as the individual is “confident” in those measures, Ricci said, moving should be no issue
7. Sometimes I like to just get out of the house and drive around. Can I still do that?
Yes again, drivers should try to not venture too far out of the region if possible, Ricci said, but if you are inside a car and not in direct contact, aside from those who may live with you, there should be no problems.
8. I want to go hunting or fishing. Is that OK?
If you are getting food for you or your family, it is allowed. However, social distancing guidelines still must be followed and no groups over 10 people are allowed. Same goes for fishing in a state park or crabbing and fishing from a boat, Ricci said.
9. It’s a nice day. Can I take my kayak or boat out on the water?
Until the state of emergency is lifted by Hogan, recreational boating is prohibited. However, activities like kayaking and paddleboarding are considered to be a form of exercise and are permitted. But all participants must still practice social distancing and abide by the social gathering limit.
10. When does the stay-at-home order end?
It’s unclear. The stay-at-home order will end when the state of emergency is lifted. Gov. Hogan has not yet indicated a potential end date.

[Laoch]

Ask what specific statue/law/ordinance, etc that this "order" is being based on.The same for any enforcement- Officer what law am I breaking? Or ask same question regarding the Guv's order.
I've emailed those question to my local legislature guys.

Government overreach and probably illegal by my thinking.

Not that I am against doing what is necessary in the interest of public health. I pretty much don't trust any government types.
The Constitution is still the law of the land.

[Firebolter]

I "think" that's why they basically say you can go places and you can do things, just try and do them alone or with the people you are staying in place with. Use common sense and keep interactions to an absolute minimum. They can close parks and other gov entities and tell people to stay away, but yeah, they really cannot tell you, you cannot go out.

I think given what we know today, your biggest risk of exposure is going to the grocery store. Hundreds of people going in and out, touching surfaces, breathing in and out. Not trying to freak people out, but I think that is the single most risky place someone could be exposed.

At work, we have wipes at every shared work space/lab where we use common work stations (classified systems). We are suppose to wipe down the keyboard, mouse and desk surfaces before we use them and after. I carry the wipe with me and use it to wipe the pen before I sign the log. Wash my hands as soon as I leave the lab. They have even gone so far as to prop bathroom doors open (as long as privacy is not compromised) so it is one less surface you have to touch. We have to keep a log (daily) of each space we are in and the times we are there so if one does become infected, they can track where you have been and clean the spaces accordingly, and notify others who may have been in that space at the same time. They have closed 50% of the work stations so you cannot sit next to someone. I mean they have gone all out to try and protect people.

Funny thing, I remember back when Howard Hughes turned inward, detached from society and got real recluse and was a germaphobe. Maybe he had some foresight? Freaky shit for sure, but this just proves, some entity could engineer a virus like this, infect a 100 people, send them into large population centers and within weeks, cause a country to be taken to it's knees without so much as ever firing a weapon. What used to be the making for a dramatic movie is now real life kinda.

[Bucho]

Thanks Joe, a nice post that does help clear things up.


I think I posted in a different thread. I'm a patrol officer down in Montgomery County. (I wouldn't think other police in MD would be given much different orders).
We are NOT stopping cars and asking people what they are doing and why aren't you staying at home.

Police still need a legitimate reason to stop you. Like a traffic infraction or some sort of equipment violation (head light out etc...). And even if they do stop you, they are not asking to see your "work papers". Even if there is an actual law somewhere saying "you have to stay home/quarantine", its not really anything police can really enforce. You can be coming/going from work. You can be coming/going from getting groceries/supplies. Even in the middle of the night there are 24 hour CVS and stuff.

My personal experience with work is that there has been an overall lower volume of calls for service (great!). However, the one we are getting more of is domestic type calls. People cooped up with their family/kids/roommates/etc... and getting on each other's nerves. We have absolutely told people (who are sober), that it is totally okay to leave your house and go for a drive.

The only real thing I've seen is a law prohibiting people from congregating is groups of ten or more. Even then, we have been told to simply inform and advise people to not be in large groups. They do NOT want us arresting people for this, (though we do technically have the ability to do so).


Like Joe said, use common sense and keep social distancing. Propping doors at work is a really good idea! I'm going to try and implement that tonight at work.

[juddspaintballs]

The only real thing I've seen is a law prohibiting people from congregating is groups of ten or more. Even then, we have been told to simply inform and advise people to not be in large groups. They do NOT want us arresting people for this, (though we do technically have the ability to do so).

Just out of curiosity, how do they rationalize making a law prohibiting people from congregating in light of the First Amendment?

[Rut Row]

The only real thing I've seen is a law prohibiting people from congregating is groups of ten or more. Even then, we have been told to simply inform and advise people to not be in large groups. They do NOT want us arresting people for this, (though we do technically have the ability to do so).

Just out of curiosity, how do they rationalize making a law prohibiting people from congregating in light of the First Amendment?

SCOTUS has allowed infringement on rights for certain circumstances. The classic example is you can't yell "fire" in a crowded theater. I suspect they would support limited restriction on free movement in a case like this.

[juddspaintballs]

I doubt they would.

[Bucho]

The only real thing I've seen is a law prohibiting people from congregating is groups of ten or more. Even then, we have been told to simply inform and advise people to not be in large groups. They do NOT want us arresting people for this, (though we do technically have the ability to do so).

Just out of curiosity, how do they rationalize making a law prohibiting people from congregating in light of the First Amendment?

public health

[Bucho]

Just out of curiosity, how do they rationalize making a law prohibiting people from congregating in light of the First Amendment?

We have the 2nd Amendment too but they are putting more and more restrictions on it.

[juddspaintballs]

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/20 ... a5JSJHe4_I