When the coronavirus first reached America many viewed the virus as a joke. I remember sitting in a lot of my classes making jokes about how the virus could never affect us. I look back and see how foolish we really were to believe that. The coronavirus is no longer taken in that manner. It has put a devastating toll on many people’s lives. The virus has crumbled the unemployment system in many states. This has created devastating effects, some that include people waiting weeks to get approved for unemployment.
Life will be very different for a while going forward. For instance grocery shopping will forever be different. Lines stretch across the store trying to spread people six feet apart. One way shopping aisles have been implemented. A quick stop at the grocery store is no longer an option. The limes take forever and items are scarce. “The union said 85% of its grocery store member workers reported that customers are not practicing social distancing in stores” (CNN). Even with the safety measures in place, many people are not following protocol.
Another way life has been changed is the lack of toilet paper and bulk buying. People in my area wait outside of stores for them to open in hopes of getting toilet paper. A lot of the time only the seniors can get it due to “senior hours” at the stores. “Until further notice, all Whole Foods Market stores in the U.S. and Canada will let customers who are 60 and older shop one hour before opening to the public” (USAtoday).
Going forward a lot of things will change as the states begin to open up. Restaurants will be those most affected. They will have to give up seating people so close to each other and use throw away menus. In the long run this will cost these restaurants a lot of money. For instance the restaurant I work at might not open up again. They’ve applied for emergency loans and grants from the government. “Restaurants across the country have been forced to quickly grapple with changing regulations under difficult circumstances” (Today). Without having done in options many restaurants have resulted in take out options, but this is still not enough.
In my area there have been lots of protesting from businesses. I live in a resort town and many people use the months of May to September to make all of their money for the year. Being closed during this time will cause many of the businesses to close for good. “Lewes closed all city-owned public restrooms and parking lots for its beaches and is considering further restrictions if social distancing guidelines aren’t being met” (Delmarva). Many of the businesses in Lewes are within walking distance from our parks and beaches. Closing down public bathrooms has been very detrimental in their businesses on top of Covid-19.
The Coronavirus has impacted many people in many ways. This has caused many people to change the way they do everyday activities, such as grocery shopping or going out to eat at a restaurant. Hopefully this will be over soon and people can try to start living normal again.
Works Cited
Goebel, Taylor. “Beaches Closed, Some Md. Parks Open: Enjoy Outdoors during Maryland Coronavirus Outbreak.” Delmarva Daily Times, Salisbury Daily Times, 30 Mar. 2020, http://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/2020/03/26/coronavirus-delmarva-beach-closures-free-state-parks-and-more/2907409001/.
Meyersohn, Nathaniel. “Experts Say It May Be Time for Grocery Stores to Ban Customers from Coming inside Because of Covid-19.” CNN, Cable News Network, 20 Apr. 2020, http://www.cnn.com/2020/04/19/business/grocery-stores-coronavirus-pickup-delivery/index.html.
TodayShow. “Which States Have Closed Restaurants and Bars Due to Coronavirus?” TODAY.com, 30 Mar. 2020, http://www.today.com/food/which-states-have-closed-restaurants-bars-due-coronavirus-t176039.
Tyko, Kelly. “Stores Offer Shopping Time for Vulnerable Customers amid Coronavirus: Target, Aldi, Walmart and More.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 31 Mar. 2020, http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/03/17/coronavirus-shopping-stores-introduce-time-for-vulnerable-elderly-pregnant/5074064002/.
ENGL110 Spring 2020 11:15-12:05 
I liked how you talked about the effect this pandemic is having on restaurants. My family owns a restaurant, so we are experiencing this first hand. Using disposable menus is simply unrealistic for busier restaurants like my families. People don’t seem to realize how expensive paper products are. Another problem is that most of our part time staff make more on unemployment than working. So whats the point of working if you can just get paid for sitting on your couch? I also liked how you talked about living in a tourist area. I like at the jersey shore where a lot of small businesses cannot function without the summer visitors.
-Mihalis Hrisafinis
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I liked how you began your writing recalling how we first were joking about the virus and how It wouldn’t effect us and there only a small chance of death from it. We really didn’t know the impact of the virus then, but I sure think we do now. I also enjoyed how you showed the impact of the virus on the Delaware beaches. I spend my summers down there, and as of right now, the beaches are only going to be open for exercising until further notice. That is now how I want to spend my summer. I liked how you ended your writing with hopes that it is over soon as we all are wishing as well.
– Tommy Wilcox
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I appreciate how clear and well-organized your writing was. I like how you talked about what changes we have already seen and then followed that with how things will persist or develop. I did not think about the dine-in aspects of restaurants going forward, and I’m sorry about your job. The most impactful line for me was “Being closed during this time will cause many of the businesses to close for good”. Turns out, I also live in a resort area, and it saddens me to realize that I might not ever see some of my favorite businesses open again. Really strong post and good luck with everything.
-Michael Muscato
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I remember how everyone thought of the Coronavirus as a joke originally. To think now that being in lockdown because of the virus is our reality is crazy. I like how you decided to focus on how restaurants will be largely impacted as you work for one. Hopefully the restaurant you work at opens up again! Grocery shopping and going out to eat at restaurants have be largely altered now that we live in a reality where we can barely do either. I like how you closed your essay on a hopeful note, great writing!
-Emily Pellegrino
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The fist thing I noticed when I read this is the structure of our blog. It was very well written and I loved how each paragraph was split up into different topics but was summarized at the beginning and the end. One thing that stood out to me was that you noticed that grocery stores have been a bit crazy with this going on. I work at a local supermarket and we have started opening up at 6 am instead of 7 am so that the senior citizens could come in without being in contact with the rest of the ages. I liked this especially since I would relate and view this in my eyes. Good work!
-Mya Mostrom
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