TELL US HOW YOU ARE COPING AT HOME

Email Reporter Wayne Baker at wayne. baker@coxinc.com

■ Stay-at-home order now in effect

The Ohio Department of Health has issued a stay-at-home order for all Ohioans, going into effect starting midnight Monday night and staying in effect until April 6. That means all Ohioans should stay home at all times, except for essential businesses and a list of common-sense exceptions for things like getting necessary supplies, outdoor activities like walking or hiking, certain kinds of work, and taking care of others (which includes attending weddings and funerals).

■ Police can cite you if you break the stay-at-home order:

However, the Montgomery County

Sheriff ’s Office said that you will likely be warned, first. But if police find that you are repeatedly violating the order or flagrantly ignoring it, you could face criminal charges or arrest.

On a related note, do not call 911 to see if you should go in to work. That number is for emergencies, and it is a crime to call it for non-emergency reasons.

■ Stay-at-home order: what are essential businesses?:

One of the exemptions to the stay-athome order is for“essential businesses,” so what does that mean? That includes things like stores that sell groceries or medicine, businesses that manufacture food and drinks or those that grow medical marijuana, charities or social services, religious organizations, news media, gas stations, and a long list of other exceptions.

■ Who to call for coronavirus information:

The Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County call center has extended its hours to answer questions about the coronavirus. The new hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The phone number is 937-225-6217.