I never imagined I’d see businesses left and right closed down due to sickness. It sounds like a major blizzard but without the cold and snow. As talks of Coronavirus spread around the country before the infection did, it seemed like it would stop before it even began, but then confirmed cases began popping up everywhere. I expected people to panic, hence buying up all the food and supplies they possibly could. But when local restaurants started closing their doors and the gym even shut down, I admit I kind of started freaking out.
Even local bars and clubs suspended service which took the chance away from blowing off some steam on the dancefloor. I mean, what are we supposed to do? This social distancing can only help so much until we start getting stir crazy. The other night, my husband and I decided to go out for dinner and chose a restaurant we haven’t been to near our apartment. When we arrived, the restaurant was open but quiet. On the doors, a sign posted saying no dine-in service but take-out available. We were disappointed but expected it was due to this outbreak. Down the road, another bar was open and serving food. It wasn’t crowded, so we felt a little safer.
I’ve not ventured out too much except for small errands like groceries or medication. I really haven’t seen the effects of COVID-19 full-force like empty parking lots or interstates, so it still seems surreal. As I receive emails with COVID-19 in almost every subject line, I’m realizing this is becoming a way of life, and I wonder if it will ever end. I’ve heard some reports that this could go into July and August or could even last until the 2020 presidential elections.
Can we really survive that long on six feet of distance between us? If that’s the case, we could be on the verge of a global economic meltdown and social disturbance as our social behaviors will almost certainly change for good. Will we know how to socialize after weeks away from one another? What about picking up the pieces of this global pandemic? I hope there’s an answer that can help everyone in all areas of their life pick up the pieces as quickly as those pieces got scattered.