David Jenkins: It’s important to stay calm during COVID-19 outbreak

Make no mistake; the coronavirus is here.

Instead of enjoying the coming of spring and (hopefully) the dry, sunny and warmer days, we are staying indoors and practicing “social distancing,” a term that was foreign to us just weeks ago.

Every one of us has already been impacted in some way by the coronavirus. Doctors even say it hasn’t peaked in the United States yet. Some people are no longer working; some are having to find child care for their children with schools closing while others are just going store-to-store to find bread or toilet paper.

Along with the coronavirus is a sense of panic. Because we don’t know what lies ahead, whether involving the virus itself or the eventual fallout, most people are on edge. But the key is to remain calm.

For example, overnight Thursday, there were 19 more cases reported in Missouri, bringing the number to 47. There is one positive case reported in Scott County. As a news agency reported this, people began to raise eyebrows when the fact is it was the same case that was reported days ago of a Scott County woman who is currently in Tennessee — which the Scott County Health Department confirmed.

The stress and worry from how our life is changing on a day-to-day basis, not to mention what is going to happen in the long term, is a big concern. So when people read the news, and many are consuming the news constantly, people become more anxious.

While our leadership at the national level has been shaky, there was one thing Trump said at a recent news conference, “take it easy. Just relax.” My thoughts exactly.

We all need to stay calm, but that doesn’t mean ignore what is going on. Wash your hands and take other preventative measures. Typically, when something this impactful happens, we come together and rally around each other, however, with social distancing that is the worst thing to do. Instead, limit contact with others.

While we should practice social distancing and limiting our contact, remember to check on your neighbors, especially the elderly. Just the simple task of getting them something for the grocery store so they don’t have to go out or even taking them food could mean more than we know.

Remember small businesses, and if you have to shop, do so locally. This pandemic will have a huge impact on small, locally-owned businesses, so remember to buy local when you do have to purchase something.

When it comes to news, we at the Standard Democrat are doing our very best to report the most current, accurate news. We are offering the news free on our website and are also doing a short daily video on our Facebook page to keep the public updated.

The fact is, we are in the early stages of a pandemic that likely won’t subside any time soon and will have a major impact on our lives in the future. But in this trying time, relax as best you can. Spend time with family, go outside, laugh, and try to enjoy yourself. Read a book, listen to music, and catch up on those TV shows you’ve meant to see because panicking will get us nowhere.

David Jenkins is co-editor of the Standard Democrat.