On Monday, March 16, up to 950 New Yorkers tested positive for the coronavirus statewide, a significant increase from the 729 reported on Sunday, according to The New York Times (NYT). That same report showed 11 cases that originated in Monroe County–or in and/or nearby Rochester, NY.

What does that mean? U.S. men and women in Rochester–and across the country–are urged to take the virus seriously and to expect big lifestyle changes for the next few weeks or even months. Right now, here is what we know about the coronavirus and what to reasonably expect as cases increase.

There Will Be Closures

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo closed public schools for two weeks–at minimum. NYC schools closed Monday. Other New York State schools will follow by Wednesday at the latest. Keep an eye out for future announcements. In some cases, public school closures extend well into April, as in Washington State and Ohio. Similarly, Governor Cuomo will require casinos, gyms, and movie theaters to close by 8 p.m., and “bars and restaurants will be limited to takeout and delivery,” the NYT writes. Governor Cuomo urged all non-essential businesses to follow suit and shut their doors by 8 p.m. every night.

Gatherings of 50 people or more are banned until further notice as well, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Cuomo publicly criticized the current reliance on piecemeal or statewide measures and pressured the federal government to take nationwide measures. In a White House press briefing March 16, President Trump advised Americans to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people, limit any non-essential travel, and stop eating at restaurants and bars.

Take It Seriously

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from recent news and reports of new cases is to take this seriously.

Before the spread of coronavirus, U.S. hospitals and healthcare left something to be desired. For example, in a typical year, as many as 350,000 people have heart attacks out of hospitals. Although many factors come into play, part of the reason may be healthcare costs–patients’ finances are too strained to seek regular checkups and preventative care–and limited resources. Currently, there are just 472,560 physicians in the United States. The shortage of doctors and nurses requires them to work long hours and multiple back-to-back shifts.

Now, we are facing that same shortage of medical personnel. Plus, in order to effectively treat coronavirus and stop it in its tracks, we need more hospitals, more hospital beds, and more respirators.

While these revelations may seem grim, officials are hopeful that we can “flatten the curve,” slow the spread of the virus, and help hospitals and healthcare centers reasonably distribute supplies and resources.

The Dos and Donts Of Social Distancing

What is social distancing? In a nutshell, social distancing requires limiting contact with other people until the CDC advises otherwise. Here is a quick breakdown of what to do and what not to do:

Do

    • Stay at home as much as possible. If you have the capability of working from home, do it. Do not go out to bars. Avoid eating at restaurants with friends and family. Remember that even coffee shops experience heavy foot traffic and pose a risk.
    • If you make a shopping trip for essentials, wash your hands before heading out and when you get back. If grocery stores have antibacterial wipes near carts and baskets to sanitize them, use them.
    • Make trips at odd times–early in the morning or late at night–to minimize your contact with large groups of people.

Don’t

  • Go to the gym. Workout at home. Utilize apps and YouTube for free workouts. Purchase a pull-up bar, weights, and a jump rump online. For now, if you are symptom-free, taking a walk, running, or biking outside is okay.
  • If at all possible, avoid public transit. Rochester does not rely as heavily on its bus system or public transportation as other municipalities in the country. Take advantage of that!

Unfortunately, when it comes to social distancing, some situations arise that will be unclear. Should you get a haircut, for example? That is a one-on-one interaction–but with someone who is likely exposed to tens of people per day. Use your best judgment. If you suspect that you are showing symptoms, it is always best to err on the side of caution.

Explore Your Options

Finally–with the possibility of working from home or missing work altogether very much a reality at this point–what should you do?

As of March 17, Rochester and New York State have yet to mandate working from home or granting paid employee leave. ” Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state legislators are moving fast to allow workers to stay home sick without employment repercussions,” The Democrat & Chronicle writes.

A growing number of large corporations are “waiving attendance requirements,” The Democrat & Chronicle continues, and extending paid sick leave to employees who do not currently have it.

If you do not have paid sick leave and you or a loved one in your household begin to show symptoms, there are other options to explore. Under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employees may be eligible for 12 weeks of unpaid leave. If you successfully apply for FMLA, you will be granted 12 weeks of unpaid leave as well as critical job protection. Currently, you are eligible for FMLA if you are caring for a sick family member or if you welcome a new child into your home–through birth, adoption, or foster care. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a provision to account for the coronavirus and help curtail its spread. The Senate and President Trump need to approve the bill in order to finalize it and make these benefits truly available to employees nationwide.

Some describe New York State as the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States. New York has the most cases, with Washington trailing closely behind. Although reported cases in Rochester remain comparatively low, now is the time to take preventative action. Check online for closures and curfews, urge friends and family to abide by social distancing and self-quarantine measures, and make a plan about what to do if you are out of work.