This week marks the beginning of a trying period that we hope is relatively short as the severity of spread of coronavirus hits home. There are now 13 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in New Hampshire – one in Hillsborough County – and while that number seems low, we’re at a critical juncture if we are going to keep it low.
We give a rare kudos to Governor Chris Sununu for taking this issue as seriously as he has. The governor’s office declared a state of emergency to deal with the coronavirus. Sununu has ordered all New Hampshire’s public schools to close for at least three weeks, transitioning the students to remote learning for the foreseeable future. How well that works from a learning standpoint remains to be seen (check back next week for an article on the topic) but as far as slowing the spread of contagion, it’s the right move. On Monday afternoon, the governor’s office announced that all scheduled public gatherings of over 50 people are prohibited and that restaurants and bars in the state must serve patrons via takeout, drive-through and delivery only.
Our state government got the ball rolling, but we as citizens play a vital role in stopping the spread of coronavirus as well. Some of it’s simple, just a matter of repetition becoming routine. Cover your nose and mouth when you cough, wash your hands with soap and water and sanitize surfaces frequently. Practice social distancing when in public – no hugs, no handshakes, and keep about six feet apart, when possible. If you’re sick, stay home, and if you’re not, stay home anyway if you can. Anybody could already be a coronavirus carrier and not know it, regardless of whether or not they’re showing symptoms.
In China, where the virus originated, residents are starting to venture out of self-quarantine after months spent in their homes, venturing out once a week to go to the grocery store, with nearly every other business closed to the public. That’s the level of care we need to practice right now, and the biggest obstacle we have to overcome right now is ourselves. A lot of us may be thinking “Why should I upend my life for a disease that’s probably not going to affect me?”
No matter what happens, a significant number of people in this country are going to come down with COVID-19. It’s rarely fatal, with older people and people with compromised immune systems at the highest risk of death. But if hospitals are inundated with coronavirus cases that come all at once due to an extremely rapid spread, doctors are going to be overwhelmed, overworked, and without the resources necessary to save everyone’s life. People will die that don’t need to if we don’t slow the spread of this virus, so for their sake, stay home if you can.
To keep up-to-date on what is happening with COVID-19 in our region, visit www.ledgertranscript.com/Special-Reports/ Coronavirus. As a service to the community, we are currently posting our coverage of the pandemic in front of our paywall. If you would like to show your support for us please subscribe.
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Editor’s note: This editorial was corrected at 3:45 p.m. to say Sununu has ordered to schools to close for at least three weeks.