Blog:What Are Your Thoughts on Coronavirus and Your Current Situation?

Out of curiosity, I've been wondering what you guys have been thinking about this coronavirus, also known by its scientific name as COVID-19, as well as how your country or state has been responding to it. In my case, I'm being more conscious about washing my hands than usual but am overall not too concerned. I believe that as long as you follow recommended precautions such as washing your hands in warm water for at least 20 seconds, covering your mouth with your elbow when you cough/sneeze, and spray surfaces with disinfectants you should be able to avoid catching it. As for social distancing, that's not difficult for me at all because I'm very introverted, reserved, and keep to myself almost all the time. Even when at parties or gatherings, I isolate myself from others because I just prefer being alone in quiet areas. I do believe there's a reason to be cautious about the virus, but I don't believe panicking over it is the solution (and am I really supposed to believe it's such a large problem that people are emptying whole aisles worth of toilet paper in grocery stores? I'm quite sure Americans don't even use that many rolls in a month, let alone a day).

I live in Massachusetts, which at the time of writing has 218 COVID-19 cases, the fourth-highest number of diagnosed COVID-19 cases in the United States (U.S.), and there have been numerous emergency protocols put in place. There are bans on social gatherings higher than 25 people and a three-week suspension of public and private schools. Recently, a hospital in Dorchester, Carney Hospital, has been transformed into the U.S.'s first dedicated COVID-19 treatment center, though Gov. Baker has no plans to issue a declaration for shelter-in-place. There are also no plans to close all non-essential businesses at this time.

What do you think? How have things been on your end?

