The coronavirus arrived in the US with a delay in relation to European countries. Jolanta Polka from Briarcliff Manor, New York, tells about life in America during the epidemic.
- What is the everyday life of Americans like now?
I can't tell you what life is like in the whole US, because here every state has its governor who introduces its own restrictions and rules.
Our state has probably the largest number of cases. Here was theepicenter of the epidemic . The latest statistics said about 25.5 thousand. infected, half of whom are New Yorkers. It is a huge city, it is difficult to maintain discipline in it, e.g. keeping distances between people, so it's no wonder that the disease spread quickly.
- Does the he alth service deal with this number of cases?
Although the USA is a rich country, we can still see that we were completely unprepared for what happened. The state was not ready for an epidemic: there is a lack of masks, protective clothing for doctors and nurses. At the moment, the reserves are being used, but they will also run out soon.
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Last week, our governor asked that all elective, non-life-saving surgeries be stopped in hospitals. The point is there should be more beds for those infected. A temporary hospital is being built in the center of our county, and such hospitals are being built statewide in major cultural centers.
- What about schools, kindergartens?
Nurseries and kindergartens have been organized for he alth workers who have nothing to do with their children, as all other facilities for young children are closed.
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I am a mother of two teenagers. The younger daughter has been at home for two weeks, her high school is closed until May. Teachers send her assignments and she learns by herself. The older one, she studies at a private university, which had a week-long spring break, but after finishing it, she returned to study, also remotely. State colleges have also closed by May, and other schools have closed until further notice.
- What about work? People moved offices home?
Many companies have switched to work from home because our governor has asked those who don't have to stay at home. First, it was 50 percent. companies, then 75, now more. Some states have banned leaving the house altogether -you can only move around with a special permit.My husband also works remotely - he is in a large company, but has the ability to perform his tasks from home.
- And what does your everyday life look like now?
We try not to leave the house, although in fact we live in a very small town, where there is no crowds. This is completely different from New York, which is visited by millions of people.
And yet there was panic as the first news about the coronavirus appeared. Many products were purchased, including toilet paper. It's a little better now, but the supplies are still not as normal. The last time I was in the store 3 days ago, I bought bread, milk and cheese, but not as usual, just as they were.
There weren't many people, but they all wear masks and gloves, you get cloths soaked in disinfectant in the store. Now people are on their guard, but at first no one cared about the recommendations of the authorities.
- Do you feel the fear of the virus?
I have an 81-year-old mother whom I forbade to leave the house a few days ago, but she just laughed at me. Now he is not laughing anymore. Americans are most afraid, especially the elderly, that the virus is spreading so quickly
That's why most people prefer to stay home and only go out when they need to. The streets in my town are empty, some families walk, but everyone keeps a distance from others. The worst thing is that young people do not follow the recommendations.
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