As all people know by now, the world is in the middle of a pandemic. COVID-19, or the Coronavirus, has been spreading and infecting people all over the planet. The outbreak started in Wuhan, China and it was first thought by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that the virus came from animals to people, because the area was linked to live-animal markets. Yet, as a growing number of patients did not have exposure to animals, it was revealed that the virus was being spread person to person. Since the beginning of this outbreak, there is now a total of almost 2.5 million cases worldwide. This pandemic has also hit our local community as well. 

New Jersey alone has had around 88,000 positive cases and around 4,300 deaths. Even closer to us in Ocean County, there have been 4,868 positive cases, as well as 222 deaths. Due to the increasing number of cases in the U.S., all “nonessential” businesses have shut down. This includes restaurants, movie theaters, gyms, and salons. This is costing these businesses a lot of money. However, many restaurants have started to do takeout or contact free delivery options to cater to their customers that are stuck in quarantine right now.

Schools around the world are closing which is bringing a new way of learning into the works. Online learning is incorporating different tools such as teacher videos, shared documents, and online video conferences. The transition to virtual school has not been entirely smooth, but from what I have experienced, it has not been too difficult to get adjusted to. Optimists are looking forward to May 15th, which is when Governor Phil Murphy will evaluate the situation and make the decision on whether or not to reopen schools. 

I want to finish this article by saying the best way you can contribute to prevention of COVID-19 is to stay at home. Think of the people you are affecting when you do not follow the precautions: you are harming restaurants owners, high school seniors, and the rest of the population. If we take the necessary precautions with this virus, it will be easier to stop the spread of it.