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Athens man sues over shelter-in-place order
An Athens-Clarke County man claims local governments do not have the legal authority to issue a shelter-in-place order
ATHENS, Ga. - While several counties are under a shelter in place, one gun store owner and U.S. House of Representatives candidate has turned to the courts for help in fighting his county’s ordinance.
The owner of Clyde Armory in Athens has sued the Athens-Clarke County government. Andrew Clyde calls the shelter-in-place ordinance "unconstitutional."
This is how his lawyer views it.
“A nice way to say house arrest,” says attorney Mo Wiltshire, who represents Clyde. “If they’re not ill, and you can’t show they’ve been exposed, you can’t lock ‘em up.”
Clyde’s lawyers filed the 23-page lawsuit in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court, also naming the city manager and attorney as defendants.
The lawsuit alleges that local governments don’t have the lawful authority to force healthy individuals to stay home.
Although Wiltshire says their actions were well-intentioned, he says, “our rights and the rules don’t get thrown out the window because things are difficult.”
The ACC government unanimously imposed the shelter-in-place ordinance last week, requiring residents to stay home 24/7. This came shortly after the city imposed a curfew and declared a state of emergency.
Essential activities, such as grocery shopping, and operating essential businesses, such as gas stations and gun stores, are the exception.
Athens Mayor Kellly Girtz stands by the ordinance that he says is constitutional.
“There are always distractions that come along, but I don’t think of this lawsuit as anything other than just a fly on the windshield.”
Mayor Girtz and the commission will meet Tuesday to discuss ways to support local businesses.
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Emergency nurse braces for coronavirus surge
Health workers across the state are bracing from the COVID-19 pandemic
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Best prevention measures:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least twenty seconds.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
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RESOURCES:
- Symptoms, testing and how to prepare amid growing COVID-19 outbreak
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- Coronavirus and pets: Your cat or dog probably can’t get COVID-19, WHO says
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