Today, I'm directing everyone in Chattanooga to observe a comprehensive shelter in place order to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Here's what that means and why it matters:

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In the last several weeks, we have seen the spread of the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, accelerate. As of the beginning of April, three people have died -- including one child under the age of 5. We grieve with these families. 2/

Medical experts tell us that this disease has the potential to completely overwhelm our local hospital systems in the next several weeks. The health of our neighbors is at stake. We don’t have any time to waste. 3/

Executive Order 2020-06 includes several additional steps to protect you and your family, including

- Directing everyone in Chattanooga to shelter in place. This means that all Chattanoogans must remain in their homes for all but the most crucial activities. 4/

- Closing additional businesses and putting new health and safety requirements on businesses that must remain open.

- Closing child care centers and daycare centers to everyone except the children of essential personnel.

- Suspending access to parks and public spaces.

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I know how disruptive and painful these actions will be for many, many Chattanoogans. We have not come to these decisions easily, but the fact is that the coronavirus is still infecting far too many people in our city far too quickly. 6/

These are scary and unusual times. But I also know that our city is built on a spirit of collaboration and creativity. In the toughest of times, when Chattanoogans pull together, we can get through anything. 7/

The most important thing you can do right now is stay home to limit your -- and other people’s -- exposure to the virus. Thank you for all that you’ve done so far and all that I know you will continue to do to keep our city safe. 8/8