The coronavirus pandemic is disrupting people’s day-to-day life like no other challenge in recent decades as the U.S. tries to contain it’s spread.
The preventive measures against COVID-19 have impacted individuals and families from one corner of the world to other leaving psychological, physical and economic implications.
In the United States, millions of Americans who enjoy outdoor activities as part of their daily routine, are preparing themselves for a new experience that confines people of all ages – no school for children, remotely working from home as they try to shut the virus out.
It’s not just fear of the disease they have to contend with but an unprecedented change in lifestyle while the coronavirus lasts and spreads. The virus has now spread to all 50 states and has claimed 100 lives.
Nearly all universities have also shifted their courses online, which would be challenging for the students and faculty members to learn and teach because these courses are specifically designed for in-person or on-campus format.
The disruptions come with a catalog of ever-growing cases around the world, except China, where Beijing snow reports fewer infections.
The usual social and cultural activities that enliven American lives have come to halt with no idea when life will go back to normal routine.
According to Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Health “we have not reached our peak and we will see more cases, we will see more sufferings.”
Small businesses, shops and restaurants are among the most adversely affected.
For the first time ever, Americans are being called upon to practice “social distancing” which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines as “remaining out of places where people meet or gather.”
Many working parents are worried and scrambling to find childcare for their kids, even they are allowed to work from home. Most companies and offices have allowed their employees to telework. Leaving your kids at the daycare will not be a favorable choice for the parents because it defeats the purpose of keeping schools closed, because government closed school to decrease the spread of coronavirus.
The parents are advised to reconsider group play dates. Now parents should think twice before letting kids go outside to play with friends. Avoiding local playground, parks and monkey bars means adjusting to a new time of self-practiced social-distancing or quarantine.
Children with no school for a long time wouldn’t be easy for the parents. Although schools are learning how to virtually teach kids at home, but there are numerus factors which schools’ administration will have to consider before moving to online.
For instance, not all the children have laptops and Wi-Fi at home due to several reasons (financial is one of them). Parents will have to work even if kids are at home and if they are not working parents especially mothers, they might do not know how to use computer in terms of helping their little kids with their assignments.
This situation could be challenging for mothers with less skills in technology.
Americans should brace themselves for a rapidly evolving situation related to the novel coronavirus. Finally, several experts recommend that people should try to enjoy the time together with friends and families as much as they can, without losing their patience. This i.s particularly deemed the most viable choice until scientists find a vaccine to fight the disease
Prepare for the worst but hope for the best may be the ultimate reminder for all those who might be upset with the new way of life called social distancing. Social distancing now may help contain the spread of the disease now and make us value our coming together when we overcome this challenge.
