It’s different, that is for sure, and aspects change from day to day.
Grandparents can’t see their grandchildren. Commencement exercises cannot take place in a traditional fashion. Proms are canceled, nursing home are closed to visitors, and unemployment has soared since non-essential businesses were ordered closed by governors in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
In those three states alone, nearly 20,000 citizens have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 coronavirus, and more than 400 have passed away. Nationwide, the death toll is expected to reach 13,000 this week, and schools are set to remain closed at least until May.
“My mother cried when I told her I wouldn’t be there for Easter dinner,” said Brad Worls, a Wheeling Park graduate who works in western Pennsylvania.
“(We’ve) not been able to hold and play with our grandkids,” explained Rick Healy, city manager of the city of Moundsville. “We see them through the window or as a drive by. It’s just not the same.”
Healy is not alone.
“I’ve not been able to see my grandkids,” said Tammy LeMasters-Gross. “One day I stopped at their house, stayed in my car, they came out on the balcony just so I could see them and have some small talk.”
“We live over 70 miles from the grandkids, so we usually have them every other weekend,” explained Lara Williams. “We attend all sporting, dance, gymnastic events, so what has bothered me the most is the social distancing from my grandkids.”
Unofficial Facebook Poll
With the “stay at home” in place throughout the tris-state region, many have flocked instead to social media platforms for social interaction, and that is why this question was posed earlier this week:
“What has been the biggest inconvenience for you during the past four weeks? No school? No job? Boredom? Loneliness? Working and schooling at home? You tell me, and please explain.”
Nearly 100 comments later, it was clear people were social distancing in order to avoid infection, but it was also apparent that online communication just isn’t the same.
Jason Treuman, a local musician in the Wheeling area who plays solo gigs and is a member of a few different bands, relied on those performance for the majority of his person-to-person contact.
“No job, loneliness,” he answered. “My job was how I stayed social.”
Robert Gaudio can relate. A public defender out of Ohio County, how Gaudio goes about performing his duties has changed, and so has his “Troubadouer” performance schedule.
“Not being able to safely visit my clients, particularly those in jail,” he answered, “(The) inability to visit family and friends, and no music gigs at local establishments.”
“I’ve been put on the FMLA Leave at 75 percent of my pay,” posted Heidi Howard. “(I’m) grateful I still have a job but as a single mom this is a struggle. And the BOREDOM.
“Lord have mercy I don’t know how people stay at home and don’t work,” she said. “My house is spotless, and the laundry is caught up … ugh; BORED is an understatement. Lol.”
Closed and Canceled
Wash your hands. Don’t touch your face. Stay six feet away. And wash you hands again.
Over and over we’ve been offered those pieces of solid advice to remain safe during these pandemic times, but life has changed in ways never imagined.
“Watching it emotionally affect my family and not being able to do anything about it (is the worst part),” explained Charlie McCord, a Wheeling native now living in South Carolina. “My oldest son is locked down in San Francisco; my second son’s wedding this past weekend was cancelled; my third son was to start a job in the kitchen at QS&L; and my poor daughter has not only had her college graduation cancelled, but also her boards for the Doctorate of Physical Therapy.”
Others can relate, too.
The interruption of my daughter’s senior year of high school,” said Kara Gray. “We had to postpone an educational trip to Spain, and have no idea if prom, senior dinner dance, and graduation, will happen.”
My granddaughter and I were looking so forward to her senior year,” explained Linda Stradwick Scott. “Prom dress (was) bought. and now it’s cancelled, (and) graduation is in limbo.
“I miss my grandsons, especially my youngest, because it’s hard to explain why we can’t physically be with each other. Just FaceTime, which I’m grateful for,” the Wheeling resident continued. “I worry for the safety of my family. Not being able to hug and plant a kiss, I miss that connection.”
Through a Window
For some, it’s about the grandchildren, but for others this pandemic has prevented them from visiting parents residing in local nursing homes because those facilities had halted visitation in mid-March to avoid a saddening situation like what has happened in the state of Washington and in the Morgantown area.
“I am missing my grandson like crazy! And there’s the stress over grocery shopping and especially getting things to my mom in a senior building,” said Janie Murray. “Plus, not being able to help and see her and not know if she’s taking her medications. The anxiety and paranoia about having to go out for needs is getting to me.”
“There are two things,” added Keri Boring Schultz. “Not being able to visit my father in the nursing home, and not being able to witness my son officially being sworn into the Air Force on Wednesday at MEPS in Beckley before shipping to basic military training on Wednesday.”
Connie Cilles Roy, a resident of St. Clairsville, summed it up for many others living here in the Upper Ohio Valley.
“(I haven’t been) really inconvenienced,” she posted. “But I sure miss being around people.”
