Watching the news and hearing about a whole country going into isolation and panic because of a new coronavirus is definitely a crazy way to start the year 2020. Maybe we were oblivious to the rest of the world’s news in January and February, but sometime in March we started hearing about this new virus that was spreading like crazy and was worse than the flu, attacking people’s respiratory system. Soon after a bunch of countries started paying attention, they named it COVID-19.
Once Italy was in the news, things really started to kick off. The story began to unfold just as it did in China, but this time in another country. And it seemed to keep happening. Johns Hopkins created a map that would create a red dot each time a person contracted the disease. At first, the disease was pretty much in a few areas, but things began to get real…real fast when the maps quickly filled with so many red dots that they just decided to put a large red color over the whole country or state.
The news is like we’ve never heard it before. You can’t turn on the TV or read the news online without hearing about COVID-19. We don’t know much about it yet, but we do know that people who travel internationally may have been exposed, people who have flu-like or respiratory symptoms may be have been exposed, and that this virus is worse for those who are immunocompromised and the elderly.
Schools started closing in other countries. Then it happened in California. Then it happened in Washington state. Then it happened here in Virginia. Seniors will most likely not be able to attend prom. Plays have been cancelled. Schools are closed for at least two weeks. And just yesterday, I was sent home to work remotely until at least April 1.
Walking around, you’d think this was a zombie movie. First it started in another country…people were getting sick…we weren’t listening…then it happened here…schools are closed…people are going crazy at the grocery stores…
The crazy thing is how quickly things are changing. You can hear news in the morning that is no longer true in a few hours. No more than 500 people can meet…no more than 100 people can meet…no more than 10 people can meet…no more than 5 people can meet. Don’t touch your nose. Don’t touch your face. And don’t dare sneeze because of allergies in a public place because you will get death stares from everyone. (Of course this all had to happened during allergy season to make us more paranoid).
Hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes are everywhere–except for in the store for purchase. There is none. No toilet paper. No bread. No eggs. It is kind of funny what people buy. You can, however, buy egg substitute, flour, and yeast. So this house is good to go!
If you visit a friend or go to the store, they immediately sanitize their hands after you give them something or after they come into their home.
Restaurants are closing and laying people off. Stores are starting to close early. Daycares are closing.
People are walking more, though. Neighbors are waving. Dogs are wagging their tails on their evening jog. Kids are riding bikes. Italians are singing songs and playing accordions on their balconies for all to hear. People are starting to decorate their windows for kids to see. There is talk of Christmas lights going back up to bring a little cheer to our social distancing.
And “social distancing” is a term that we all know now.
Parents have to find ways to work a full-time job while they home school their children and attend meetings virtually.
To be continued.