Kentucky firefighters, police and other public safety workers say the Friday closure of most child care centers could hurt staffing, hamper public safety and impede the state’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.
To stop the spread of the respiratory illness, Gov. Andy Beshear ordered Kentucky child care centers closed by Friday. Centers that serve health care workers have been exempted from the closure.
Police, fire, corrections officers and 911 dispatchers want the Beshear administration to add child care for first responders to the exemption.
Officials with Beshear’s administration were not immediately available for comment.
Lexington Enhanced 911 Director Robert Stack said his 911 call takers and dispatchers have scrambled over the last few days to find friends, co-workers and family members to watch their children.