We are living through something right now that most of us have never experienced. A virus spreading all over the world. A pandemic. For reasons which are unknown, people are rushing out and clearing store shelves of toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning wipes. Employees who can are working from home. Restaurants are closed or only open for drive-in or curbside service. Retail stores are closing early. Some stores are opening earlier for senior citizen and other immune-compromised people to shop safely. The roads are eerily empty. School is closed for weeks, and the kids are doing schoolwork from home. Libraries are closed. All sporting events, music concerts, plays, conferences, weddings, festivals, parades, court trials, or any gathering of 50 or more people have been cancelled. People are actually panicking about having to stay home - in their own house - for the required 14 day quarantine. The stock market is plunging. No one can sneeze or cough without receiving a dirty look from a nearby co-worker or member of the public. We are being told to practice social distancing - keep at least 6 feet from others. We are also told to self-isolate if we have been in contact with someone who is showing symptoms. No visiting, no unnecessary shopping or socializing. Wash your hands thoroughly. Do not touch your face, eyes, nose, or mouth. The list goes on and on and on.
This coronavirus (not to be confused with having anything to do with the beer called Corona), surfaced in China in December 2019 and has spread to at least 147 countries, killing 7,800 and sickening tens of thousands of people in a matter of weeks. This is the scary part. How fast it is spreading. The World Health Organization has declared it a pandemic.
On December 31, 2019, the government in Wuhan, China confirmed that health authorities there were treating hundreds of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause. Just days later, researchers in China identified a new virus. On January 11, 2020, China reported their first known death from an illness caused by the virus: a 61-year-old man who was a regular customer at the market in Wuhan where the virus is believed to have originated. Cases spread to Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. On January 20, the United States announced its first confirmed case in Washington state. A 30-something year old man who had just returned from a trip to Wuhan, China.
By January 31, when the U.S. restricted travel from China, 213 people had died and nearly 9,800 had been infected worldwide. On February 2, the first coronavirus death was reported outside China - in the Philippines. By this point, more than 360 people had died.
On February 11, the World Health Organization provided a name for the disease the coronavirus causes: Covid-19, an acronym that stands for coronavirus disease 2019. By the next day, there were 393 cases outside China in 24 countries. On February 24, when the White House asked Congress to allocate emergency funds to help prepare, there were 35 confirmed cases in the U.S. and no deaths. But the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) warned of an almost certain outbreak.
On February 28, a patient near Seattle, Washington became the first coronavirus patient to die in the United States.
On March 13, the president declared a national emergency. The governor of North Carolina declared a state of emergency here 3 days earlier - on March 10. By March 14, the President was advising citizens to avoid groups of more than 10. Countries all over the world has closed their borders.
Here in North Carolina, the first case was reported in Wake County (Raleigh) on March 3. As of today, there are 32 cases confirmed in Durham County (where I live) and a total of 119 cases statewide.
Also, just today, the governor announced that the first case of coronavirus from community spread has occurred. This is when they don't know how someone contracted Covid-19. The second confirmed case in Wilson County has no known travel history and no known contact with another positive person.
When I had the idea to write this particular blog post, it was for two reasons. First, researching and sharing the information made it more understandable and clear in my own mind. Things are happening so fast right now, it is hard to comprehend and process it all. Second, this is a moment of history. Just like I research my ancestors' lives, someone may research mine one day.
While I am not panicking or worrying excessively, I am constantly aware of the situation swirling around me. It is almost all anyone is talking about. I receive countless emails about it - some of which I'm going to share here. I have to remember to not touch my face (That's not working so well - I had no idea how often I touch my face throughout the day!), to wash my hands twice as long and much more often, and to keep my distance from other people (This one is not going so well either with coworkers. We have to interact fairly closely.) Life is definitely different now. I'm avoiding going out as much as possible, whether its to the grocery store or a restaurant. If I did go to the grocery store, there is not much there to get. My mammogram has been postponed. I can't just go to the library or a movie. I've had to think about a plan if I am quarantined. While I am still working because courthouse personnel are essential, I would not be surprised that someone among us has the virus and just does not know it yet. When confirmed, we will all have to be quarantined. Personally, I would love 2 weeks at home. I have so much that needs doing, and things I want to do. However, I do not want to be sick. It sounds miserable. And dangerous. The having difficulty breathing part makes me queasy. I try not to dwell on the particulars. What I am trying to do is just take it day by day.
As I mentioned, I am receiving many emails from companies I do business with about this virus. Everything from closings, to shortening hours, to we won't turn your electricity or gas off for non-payment, to simply we are cleaning more. Here are just a few samples:
Chick-fil-A: | ||
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From my dental office:
Hi Elizabeth,
I am Dr. Don Lane of Lane & Associates Family Dentistry and I want to provide you with a brief update on how we are addressing the Coronavirus pandemic.
As the largest and one of the oldest dental practices in North Carolina, our primary concern has always been the health and safety of our patients and staff. In light of this and during these difficult times, we have prayerfully made the decision to follow the recommendation of the American Dental Association and the North Carolina Dental Board and will stop all treatment except for emergency or urgent dental needs.
My Homeowner's Association Management Company:
Dear Residents,
In response to the COVID-19 virus, Towne Properties is taking the following actions to help keep our communities and families safe and healthy.
Towne Main Office
Our office will be closed to the public Monday, March 16th through Friday, April 17th. This is subject to change; in which case, all residents will be notified.
Board Meetings
Effective immediately, all meetings both offsite and in the office, will be canceled through Friday, April 17th. For those who are unable to postpone/reschedule your meetings, we are encouraging our management teams and board members to use conference calls, voting by email, and virtual meeting applications such as “GoToMeeting” as alternatives.
Emails/Phone Calls
Voicemails may take longer to return. However, emails are continuing to be monitored and you may receive a faster response. You may email your management team for assistance. If you are unable to email, please leave a detailed message, including your name, number and reason for your call. All calls will be returned as soon as possible.
Assessment Payments
Receipt of payments may be delayed during this time. Late fees will be suspended for the months of March and April, if needed. For residents mailing in payments, please be sure to send your coupon and payment to the lockbox, not the Raleigh office P.O. Box, as this will further delay processing your payment.
We sincerely thank you for your understanding and patience. We realize this is a unique and challenging time for all and are confident we will get through this together. Please take care and do not hesitate to contact us should we be able to assist you.
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My Vet:
The team at Village Vet is taking the government and the American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines very seriously. We aim to provide the best possible service and care to our clients and patients while limiting possible spread of the COVID-19 virus. In order to accomplish this, we are restricting entry into the clinic to team members and pets only.
When you arrive at the clinic, please call from your car. If you are picking up supplies you will be asked about payment over the phone and your items will be brought out to you.
If you have an appointment, your pet's Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) or Assistant will speak with you over the phone to discuss your pet's history, symptoms, and needs just as she would if you were in a room. She will then come to your car and get your pet to bring in to the clinic. We ask that you stay in your car during the entire appointment.
Once inside, your pet's veterinarian will perform her physical exam and call you. At this time she will discuss your pet's exam, any findings, and recommendations. This will be the same as if you were in the room with her.
After everything is completed, you will receive another call. If tests were run while you were waiting, the results and recommendations will be provided at this time. You will then be transferred to a receptionist. We recommend paying by credit card if at all possible as we can take the information over the phone. Your pet will then be brought back to your vehicle by a team member.
We regret the need for these steps. We pride ourselves on our service. The health and safety of our team, clients, and patients is our highest priority.
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Stay safe out there. Wash your hands. I cannot say that enough. And please do not hoard toilet paper and/or cleaning products. Everyone needs them.
Sources:
A Timeline of the Coronavirus by Derrick Bryson Taylor, published online for the New York Times, March 19, 2020.
Coronavirus: First case of community spread COVID-19 confirmed in North Carolina by WBTV Web Staff, WBTV online, March 19, 2020.
Watch: Map shows how coronavirus is spreading in N.C.: Coronavirus Timeline in North Carolina, published online for the Winston-Salem Journal, March 19, 2020.
This is a wonderful idea to chronicle what is happening during this pandemic. Some of the things you wrote about I have already forgotten. It all seems so much long ago that it all started, but it's only been 5 months.
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