Even though we're staying home and limiting our exposure to other people, for the most part, our daily lives haven't been drastically impacted. Yesterday Emma played outside because the rain stopped and it was finally warm enough to get out of the house. She and Andy practiced softball. Sadly, although she was so excited to play her first season of softball this year, that likely won't happen. We don't have the heart to tell her that yet, though.
My family is fortunate. Right now we are still earning our paychecks while we work from home. I worry so much about those that are suddenly unemployed or scared of losing their small business. The waiting period for applying for unemployment has been waived for now, and the Federal Government is allowing small businesses to apply for Emergency Disaster Loans to keep them afloat until this passes. It's all so scary. We are used to sections of the nation having to rely on disaster relief efforts in the wake of hurricanes, tornados, etc. But this is affecting nearly everyone nationwide. It's unheard of.
Kentucky seems to be missing the brunt of the Covid-19 havoc. We still have only 87 cases statewide. Much credit is being given to our governor for emphasizing social distancing beginning nearly two weeks ago. He ordered the shut down of schools for at least two weeks last Thursday, March 12. And earlier this week he ordered restaurants and bars to offer only drive-thru or carry out services. Likewise, Tennessee, our southern neighbor, has done none of those things. They currently have over 200 confirmed cases in their state - and have tested fewer patients than Kentucky.
Credit: Stephanie Jolly
The worst impact is occurring in New York City and in the state of California. Hospitals are overrun and don't have anywhere to put patients that need critical care because of the virus. In fact, a naval hospital ship has docked in New York to help with the overflow. The governor of California has asked for the same thing. At least 5 state governors have called for a Shelter In Place order for their entire state - this means people can only leave their homes for food, pharmacy, and other essentials.
As I'm writing this, I'm dumbfounded on how we got here so quickly. Last Monday, if I were to be asked if this could happen here, I would have laughed. If anyone told me we would be going to the grocery store on a Friday night to find there was no fresh meat, no bread, very little canned goods, and no toilet paper, I would have thought they were crazy. But here we are - less than two weeks later.
The citizens of Italy tried to warn us last week. Our country seems to be on the same trajectory that they've been on, and that's frightening. This week there have been images coming out of that country of military trucks driving through neighborhoods to gather the dead and take them to be disposed of. The entire country is in a shelter in place mode. It's scary. The only people I've seen are my parents since all this started. I probably shouldn't be seeing them either. If either of them were to contract the virus it would likely be deadly. I don't know how long this is likely to last either.
Credit: Neonnettle.com
While Kentucky seems to have a decent handle on the spread of the virus, we are very much dependent on our neighboring states to do their part. I can't imagine opening up restaurants and shopping centers again if neighboring states are still experiencing outbreaks of Covid. Citizens would simply drive across the border and eat and shop, possibly reintroducing the spread here. It's a very weird- disconcerting-scary time.
Sources:
Infographic
Italian Military Trucks
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