COVID-19
It seems as all we're hearing on the news nowaways is something or another related to the coronavirus. Even if you have not caught the virus, you have most likely been affected by the collateral repercussions in some way. The respiratory disease, believed to have started in a wet market in Wuhan, China - has now spread to every continent (but Antarctica) and declared as a global pandemic. As of this week, there are over 3,700 cases and 69 deaths in the country (Johns Hopkins University, as of 3/16/20, 6:30 a.m. EST), with numbers climbing every day.
It seems as though the situation is becoming more and more severe: with schools closing or moving online, sport teams suspending games and tournaments, and businesses closing or enforcing curfews. Between the time I drafted this post and today, my company has already mandated us to work from home.
Even if you aren't sick and we don't know much about the disease (especially its transmissability and severity) yet, there are still simple things we can do for the health and safety of ourselves, and those around us:
Wash your hands after coming in from outside or touching things that were outside. Avoid touching your face and other people if you haven't washed your hands yet. If you work in an office, Lysol-wipe or sanitize your desk, keyboards, and working area. Practicing personal hygiene and making sure to avoid people who are visibly sick by keeping a safe distance as to not spread germs, is so important.
Try to avoid crowded places (this may soon be a mandated rule in certain areas). Tim & I actually failed to do this last weekend, as we and many others, went to Garden State Plaza mall to shop and watch a movie. Since last week, Bergen County has decided to indefinitely close down their movie theaters and begin enforcing curfews for businesses. Avoid standing or walking too close to people who are visibly sick. The opposite side of this is: If you are the one who is sick, please stay at home and away from possibly infecting others, who may not be able to withstand it.
Stay viligant in monitoring the situation. Stay updated with news (both local and national) and well as keep in touch with friends or family members who live in areas affected by the virus. Make sure your homes have enough food, water, and supplies if you will be staying at home. It’s so easy to give into the panic that is pervading the internet and social media. But let us not believe everything we hear and read until we can confirm it for yourself, or read it from a reputable resources, such as the CDC website.
We are in extremely uncertain times, things may get much worse before they get better, and nobody is really sure when things will go back to "normal." In the meantime, what we can do is stay safe & stay smart.
XO.