Photograph of Public Health Messages Outside Worthington Fire & EMS Building During Ohio’s Stay At Home Order of 2020

These two photographs show alternating messages displayed on an electronic traffic sign outside of the Worthington Fire & EMS Building on March 27, 2020. The messages read “STAY HOME” and “WASH HANDS." Such public health announcements were commonly seen on roadsides and overhanging interstates during the COVID-19 pandemic and were updated with new directives to reflect emerging best practices, including the practicing of social distancing and wearing of facemasks and face coverings.

However, there were fewer people than usual passing by the Fire & EMS building on this date. The city's normally busy streets and public places were quiet during the spring of 2020 due to Ohio's historic stay at home order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Issued by Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton M.D. MPH, the order went into effect on Monday, March 23, 2020 at 11:59 pm. The order closed nonessential businesses, restricted gatherings, ordered all residents to stay in their homes except for certain exempt activities, and limited travel. The order was fully lifted on May 19, replaced by strong recommendations for social distancing.