COVID Among The States!
COVID has attacked the world and changed each of our lives. While countries around the world adapt to what is best for them, the United States tackles the virus state by state. Lauren Turner reports on how individuals and certain states are handling COVID. Including, California, Texas, Ohio, South Dakota and Nevada.
COVID Throughout The United States Of America
COVID has taken over the world. Everyone has had to change their lives and take precautions to ensure their health and the health of others around them. While one country may adapt to the virus a certain way, another country may take an entirely different approach. In the United States of America, these precautions and lifestyles have varied state by state.
Restaurants may be closed in one state and partially open in another. Some Americans may be still working remotely while other Americans are back in their normal desk routines.
Our country is so big and has such a variety that you will see different approaches to the virus in different states.
The State of California
So, what is the biggest state in the country doing to prevent the spread of COVID?
Since California is the most populated state in the United States, they are taking a slower time of opening back up and heading towards a normal life again. California handles the virus county by county.
For example, schools are not allowed to open unless they follow under a certain tier.
According to California For All, “Schools may not reopen fully for in-person instruction until the county has been in the Substantial (Red) Tier for two weeks.”
My cousin, 20-year-old, Breanne Turner, is a full-time student with an internship and job in Los Angeles. She faces the struggles of COVID in a variety of different ways.
She says, “I still get nervous going to the grocery store and I only hang out with a small group of people that don’t hang out with anyone else. I don’t feel completely safe, but I still have to go to work and live a somewhat normal life.”
The State of Texas
Heading not too far east into the country, Texas takes the lead for the second largest populated state in America.
The Dallas County website has a COVID risk level monitor that residents can follow. Recently, Dallas has experienced a spike of COVID cases and has hit the red, “stay home, stay safe,” level. Which is the farthest from normalcy.
KERA News reported, “Returning to the “red” risk level, the highest level, means residents are advised against indoor dining and grooming services, among other things.”
My close friend Marian McCown says, “COVID is taken seriously enough to get by,” when talking about Dallas, Texas. “Personally, I don’t think the precautions are taken as life or death, rather than I have to wear a mask to buy a meal or get my nails done or whatever.”
The State of Ohio
Our next stop is Cincinnati, Ohio.
My close friend Brooke Balash, resident of Cincinnati says, “Ohio has mandated that everyone must wear a mask at all times in public. There aren’t allowed to be gatherings of more than 10 people. They have specific guidelines that restaurants and stores have to follow.”
However, Cincinnati seems to be finding creative ways to get life back to normal. Brooke says, “One thing I love that the city of Cincinnati did was close certain streets downtown in order for restaurants to move seating outdoors. They have been doing their best to make a tough situation better for small businesses.”
Although Cincinnati, like every city, is trying to get back to their normal daily routines, Cincinnati falls under Hamilton county. According to the Ohio Department of Health, Hamilton county is the third highest county of reported COVID cases in Ohio.
“I was pretty surprised when I learned that. I think because I live in an area heavily populated with younger people, it doesn’t seem like there are many people drastically affected by the Corona sickness itself,” says Brooke.
The State of South Dakota
While those states are figuring out how to keep their residents safe, Mitchell, South Dakota has a completely different lifestyle.
My cousin, 23-year-old, Karlie Turner, says, “COVID is not taken seriously in South Dakota. After an individual has been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID, they resume their daily lives instead of getting tested and going into quarantine.”
Google News reports that Davison County (where Mitchell, South Dakota is located) has had a total of 265 cases from September 30th to October 13th. However, since the beginning of COVID, Mitchell has had a total of 615 cases. Meaning, almost half of the cases have been from the past couple of weeks.
Karlie says, “Wearing a mask is optional in most stores, restaurants, and gyms. Sporting events have resumed, and spectators are allowed.”
She does not feel safe in the city of Mitchell.
The State of Nevada
I, on the other hand, have been staying in Reno, Nevada. I have been following the University of Nevada Reno’s guidelines.
Living in student housing and staying close to the campus has spiked my nerves about COVID quite a bit. However, with the university’s guidelines, I have felt safer. I think it’s going to take a lot longer than I would like to admit for me to feel safe again.
Every State is Different
Overall, COVID is different in every state. Our country is enormous, and everyone is handling the situation in their own ways. We all just have to take the right precautions and try our best to stay healthy and safe. We must follow the guidelines that every state needs to follow, which is, face masks, proper hygiene and quarantining if coming in contact with a COVID positive person or becoming COVID positive ourselves.
