“Stay at Home” Order Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Social distancing is an important first step in preventing the spread of a disease like COVID-19 that allows people to go about their daily activities while taking extra health and safety precautions. Social distancing requirements in the order call for residents to maintain a distance of at least six feet from other individuals, washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer, covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands) regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and not shaking hands.

The Stay at Home order requires people to remain in their homes unless they have an essential job or are doing an essential task like going to the grocery store or walking a pet.

Social distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness.  Staying at least 6 feet away from other people reduces the chances of catching COVID-19. Other examples of social distancing with the goal of avoiding crowds, crowded spaces, and mass gatherings include working from home instead of the office, closing schools and switching to on-line classes, socializing via electronic devices instead of in-person, suspending in-person worship services (services may be hold virtually online), and canceling or postponing large meetings.

What is the state recommending for social distancing?

The order prohibits things like visiting other people’s homes (except to provide care or supplies) and gatherings of more than 10 people and closes all nonessential establishments, including most retail, recreation and entertainment businesses. It does NOT prohibit essential activities like going to the grocery store, receiving medical care, or taking your pet for a walk. Outdoor exercise like running and walking are also acceptable. However, while engaging in essential activities or outdoor exercise, it is recommended to practice social distancing by maintaining at least six feet away from other people.

What should I do?

The order requires all residents to stay home, unless traveling for essential needs, and requires businesses that are NOT engaged in essential activities to cease all activities except for minimum basic operations.

Why are we doing this?

This is a critical intervention to reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019/COVID-19.  This action is part of the City’s and State’s exhaustive response to the COVID-19, which is intended to keep the public safe, contain the spread of the virus, and provide relief to the healthcare system.

While this news may feel alarming, it is a necessary action to prevent a worsening situation. The patterns of the virus around the world, and in our own state and city, tell us that immediately maximizing social distancing and restricting people from gathering is the best way to fight the spread of the virus and save lives.

For your safety, as well as the safety of those in your community, you should remain at home to help fight the spread of COVID-19.

This order is mandatory.  To help prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in Illinois and protect our friends, neighbors, and vulnerable populations, please stay home. Adhering to the order will save lives and it is the responsibility of every Chicagoan to do their part.

Staying homes is critical to reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the City of Chicago.  The Illinois State Police is working with the Chicago Police Department to enforce this order.

Adhering to the order will save lives – and it is the responsibility of every Chicagoan to do their part to help.  The City is counting on residents to exercise good judgment and common sense when deciding to leave their residence.  Law enforcement will not stop residents who are on their way to and from work or who are out for necessities like going to the pharmacy or getting groceries, but this order remains a legal requirement for all Chicagoans.  Chicagoans should abstain from all non-essential activities.  Adhering to the order will save lives and it is the responsibility of every Chicagoan to do their part.

UIC is empowering students to choose what works best for them. We recognize that leaving campus may not be desirable or possible for all students, and we will work to ensure students remaining on campus will continue to be supported. For more information on requesting to stay on campus or how to leave campus housing, please refer to: https://housing.uic.edu/campus-housing-coronavirus-updates/

Chicago’s Domestic Violence Help Line is a 24-hour, toll-free confidential number that functions as a clearinghouse for domestic violence services and information. You are encouraged to contact the Help Line at:

Phone: 1.877.863.6338

TTY: 1.877.863.6339

You may also contact local law enforcement.

Additionally, the order encourages the resident to shelter in a location other than your primary residence—including a hotel or shelter—if your primary residence is unsafe.

Managing Anxiety around Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people, especially with changes to normal operations and uncertainty for the future. Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger.

Possible Reactions

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. Stress during this time can include:

• Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
• Changes in sleep or eating patterns
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
• Worsening of chronic health problems
• Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

Coping Tips

If you are struggling, here are some things you can do to take care of your mental health in the face of uncertainty:

• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
• Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
• Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
• Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
• Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row.

Resources

Students

For students interested in support, please contact: UIC Counseling Center. To talk to a counselor, call:

• M-F 8AM-5PM: (312) 996-3490
• After business hours: 312-996-3490 and press “2” for the Counseling Center After-Hours Crisis Counselor.

Faculty & Staff

For employees, the Employee Assistance Services is available for confidential support. For a confidential counseling resource, call: (312) 996-3588.

More Resources

If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others, immediately call or contact any of the following resources:

• 911
• Disaster Distress Hotline (24/7):
  • 1-800-985-5990 (People with deafness or hearing loss can use their preferred relay service to call)
  • SMS Text -English: Text “TalkWithUs” to 66746
  • SMS Text -Español: Text “Hablanos” al 66746
• Crisis Text Line (24/7):
  • SMS Text -English: “Home” to 741741
• National Suicide Prevention & Crisis Hotline (24/7):
  • Online chat: org/chat/
  • (800) 273-8255 (English)
  • (888) 628-9454 (Español)
  • (800) 799-4889 (Options for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing)

Staying at home can be difficult, and many people may want to get fresh air and exercise.  The Order allows “outdoor activity,” which includes walking, running, and biking.  But the Order also bans gatherings of 10 or more people, as well as people being outdoors without observing social distancing, which means that close-contact groups sports, such as basketball, soccer, and touch football are prohibited. Go outdoors for fresh air and exercise. Social distancing does not mean staying indoors, it means avoiding close contact with people. Remember to wash your hands any time you enter from outdoors and before you eat.

You are allowed to walk your dog and seek medical care for your pet should they require it. Be sure to practice social distancing while out on walks, maintaining at least 6 feet from other neighbors and their pets. Additionally, if you are engaged in an Essential Activity otherwise permitted under the Order, you can use other services for your pet, such as a dog-walking service or pet lodging.

Yes.  Buy as much as you need to lessen the number of trips and try and shop when the store is least likely to be crowded.  Some grocery stores have designated special hours for the elderly (over age 60), pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems to lessen their exposure to large crowds and possible exposure to COVID-19.

Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers are considered essential businesses that will remain open.  However, if you are experiencing symptoms or are currently in isolation, you should stay at home and follow the guidelines provided by your physician.

According to CDC, new studies show that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms….AND that people can transmit the virus even before they show symptoms.

This means that the virus can spread between people in close proximity— for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms.

Knowing this, the CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where it’s difficult to maintain 6 feet of social/physical distancing measures. (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies)

The cloth face coverings recommended ARE NOT surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

It is not yet known whether weather and temperature impact the spread of COVID-19.  Some other viruses, like the common cold and flu, spread more during cold weather months but that does not mean it is impossible to become sick with these viruses during other months.  At this time it is not known whether the spread of COVID-19 will decrease when weather becomes warmer.  There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity and other features associated with COVID-19 and investigations are ongoing.

To learn about how to volunteer in the field or from your home, visit: https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/serve/Disaster/Pages/default.aspx.