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>> THEY’RE USING FACEBOOK, BUT LITTLE DID THEY KNOW THE FOLLOWING WOULD GROW LIKE IT DI NOW MORE THAN 16,000 MEMBERS IN A MATTER OF TWO WEEKS. THEIR MESSAGE HAS BEEN THE SAME. THE NAME IS CLEAR, SOUTH CAROLINIANS FOR SHELTER IN PLACE, STOP THE SPREAD. >> THE GROUP HAS JUST BLOOMED UM TO OVER 16,000 WITH RESIDENTS ALL THE STATE AND THE UPSTATE SO IT’S BEEN REALLY QUITE THE ADVENTURE. >> AN ADVENTURE SARA WAGNE ROBB, WHO HAS A DOCTORATE IN EPIDEMIOLOGY, STARTED TWO WEEKS AGO WITH A SMALL GROUP OF PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. THEY’VE BEEN CALLING ON GOV. HENRY MCMASTER TO ISSUE A STATEWIDE SHELTER IN PLACE. >> WE STILL THINK THAT THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE YESTERDAY UM WE’RE ACTUALLY ONE OF ONLY 13 STATES THAT WITHOUT A STATEWIDE ORDER AS SUCH SO UM WE’RE CONTINUING ON WITH THAT MESSAGING IN THE GROUP >> AND OVER TIME, THE GROUP HAS BECOME A SOUNDING BOARD OF SORTS, SOME SHARE MESSAGES RELATED TO THE VIRUS. OTHERS SHARE SUPPORT. >> IT IS A PLACE WHERE PEOPL ARE PROVIDING EACH OTHER SUPPORT DURING THIS TIME AND I THINK THAT’S REALLY A GREAT THING THAT WE CAN PROVIDE THE RESIDENTS IN SOUTH CAROLINA PEOPLE ARE AFRAID PEOPLE ARE SCARED AND SO WE’RE DOING OUR BEST TO MAKE SURE THE GROUP IS FILLED WITH POSITIVITY. >> MCMASTER HAS SAID HE’S DOING HIS BEST FOR PUBLUC SAFETY, MINIMIZING DISRUPTIONS. THIS WEEK ORDERING NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES TO CLOSE. >> WE KNOW IT’S DISRUPTION FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE BUT WE THING THAT IN OUR APPROACH TO MAXIMIZE THE EFFORT WHILE ALL BUT AVOIDING ALL BUT NECESSARY DISRUPTIONS IS THE RIGHT PATH TO FOLLOW. >> SOME LAWMAKERS HAVE ALSO ASKED THE MCMASTER TO STEP IN, THIS LETTER FROM REP. GARY CLARY AND REP. NEAL COLLINS LAST WEEK ALSO CALLED ON A STATEWIDE SHELTER IN PLACE. >> IT IS A TOUGH TOUGH TOUGH CHOICE I DO NOT UM ENVY GOV. MCMASTER AT ALL ON ALL OF THESE DECISIONS OVER THE PAST MONTH. IT IS A TOUGH CHOICE. >> THE PAGE HAS A SECTION WITH AN OUTLINE TO WRITE THE GOVERNOR HIS OFFICE NUMBER IS ALSO LISTED. BUT AGAIN ROBB SAYS SHE

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A group of public health professionals across the Upstate have started a Facebook group that has quickly gained traction in the fight against COVID-19. The page, called South Carolinians for Shelter in Place - Stop the Spread, calls on South Carolina Gov, Henry McMaster to issue a shelter in place order. "We still think that needs to be done yesterday," said Sara Wagner Robb, one of the founders of the page. Robb holds a doctorate degree in epidemiology. "We're actually one of 13 states without a statewide order as such, so we're continuing on with that messaging in the group."The page has contact information listed for McMaster's office and even outlines a message members can write, urging him to issue a shelter in place order. The page was started about two weeks ago, but over time, the now 17,000-plus member group has grown to more than a call for action to McMaster. It's become a place of support. "People are afraid, people are scared and so we're doing our best to make sure the group is filled with positivity and evidence-based support," said Robb. Gov. McMaster said he's been working in the best interest of public safety, while also trying to minimize disruptions. This week, he ordered non-essential businesses to shut down statewide. "We think that in our approach to maximize our efforts aggressively against the disease while attempting to void all but necessary dislocations is the right path to follow," said McMaster, shortly after announcing the order. Some lawmakers have also contacted the governor. Rep. Gary Clary (R-Pickens) and Rep. Neal Collins (R-Easley) penned a letter to the McMaster last week asking for him to issue a statewide "stay at home order."Both acknowledged economic consequences. "It's a tough, tough, tough choice," said Collins. "I do not envy Gov. McMaster at all on all of these decisions over the past month. It is a tough choice.""I would rather be overly aggressive for something like this and apologize for it later than to be sorry that I didn't bring it up at this point in time," said Clary, in a WYFF News 4 interview March 25. Robb said she and her colleagues are going to continue pushing for action. She said the page has been helping their effort. "It's been quite a frustrating thing as an epidemiologist and anticipating what's happening, knowing the data, trusting the data as a scientist, I feel like I'm just watching the tidal wave come towards South Carolina," she said. "It's a balancing act and I know those are difficult decisions to make but in the end the priority is saving lives and as a public health professional that's the goal."COVID-19 maps of Carolinas, Georgia: Latest coronavirus cases by countyCoronavirus Carolinas, Georgia: Daily updates on cases, other information you need to knowTo get the most comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus locally and worldwide, click on our full section here.<p></p>