Adapting hermit lifestyle may be best choice
By Gene Kemmeter
Portage County residents have learned a lot about the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the last week, and apparently will learn a lot more in the weeks to come. They may have plenty of time to do as efforts to maintain “social distancing” between people are employed.
The World Health Organization declared Wednesday, March 11, that COVID-19 viral disease is a pandemic. A pandemic is a disease that is spreading in multiple countries around the world at the same time.
U.S. President Donald Trump instituted a ban on travel to several nations and then declared a national emergency because of coronavirus, releasing federal funds to combat the disease while issuing warnings that people should not gather in large groups because that helps spread the disease.
Churches have curtailed services and encouraged older segments of the population from attending services. People above 60 years old are considered the most susceptible to the disease.
Professional, collegiate and high school sports organizations reacted in a series of major moves, suspending or canceling play indefinitely. At a time of the year when the nation’s residents turn their eyes to March Madness, the NCAA canceled their college tournaments and high schools followed suit.
Several large events have been canceled, with public officials reducing the number of people presumed safe enough to attend from initially 250 to no more than 25, adding that canceling the event is probably safer. Now, 25 is questionable.
Radio Station WWSP has postponed its 51st trivia contest scheduled for April 17-19 until Oct. 23-25. Another one of the largest annual events in Portage County, the Portage County Cultural Festival, has been canceled until 2021. The Stevens Point Area Retired Teachers’ Association (SPARTA) canceled its April book sale.
Area schools will be shuttered for the next few weeks as education officials chart a course to educate students through an extensive virtual learning program because of the ban against large public gatherings.
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point students learned last week their spring break for this week has been extended for another week until March 29, but students should take all instructional materials for their classes, along with essential personal items and prescription medications, with them when they leave for spring break.
Classes are scheduled to resume March 30 through alternative delivery methods. There will be no face-to-face classes held on campus until further notice. Students were strongly encouraged to return to their permanent residence after spring break until further notice. Only students with no other housing options or access to technology needed for coursework may return to residence halls.
Needless to say, the coronavirus is impacting businesses, particularly small businesses such as stores, restaurants and taverns. Curfews have been imposed in many locations, and some restaurants have switched to offering carryout business only for the safety of their employees and to avoid becoming a gathering point for people.
Some larger businesses are switching to have their employees work from home. The situation is creating a problem for daycare centers, and some hospitals, such as the Marshfield Clinic, are searching for daycare providers for doctors, nurses and other staff who require assistance while working longer hours during the pandemic.
Grocery stores have been a focal point of interest for shoppers as they stock up on food and supplies, expecting to be forced to hunker down as the virus hopefully weakens. One of the surprises of this ordeal has been the run on toilet paper, with area shelves wiped clean. The coronavirus affects the upper chest, not the digestive tract, so a large supply should be unnecessary.
As the spring election on Tuesday, April 7, approaches, voters might want to consider absentee ballots. Information for absentee ballots is available from the clerk of the municipality where you reside or at myvote.wi.gov/en-us.
How long will this ordeal continue? Officials are predicting weeks and possibly months. The intent of the official procedures is to slow the spread of the disease and reduce the impact so the medical profession can handle the situation. A rapid breakout would strain the facilities available to treat the inflicted.
The ideal situation would be discovery of a cure or a vaccine, but officials say that would probably take 12 to 18 months. Instead, everyone will have to wait it out, following recommendations to avoid large gatherings and maintain “social distancing,” trying to stay at least six feet away from other people. The solitude of one’s residence is the best place, experts say.
For more information, go to cdc.gov and click on “Learn More About COVID-19.”
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