COVID-19 affects many in Plainfield as cases increase
Over 15,000 have been infected with the novel coronavirus in Illinois as of April 9 according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The state has experienced an exponential increase in the number infected since March 10, when the number of confirmed cases was only 20. As of April 3 there have been 18 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Plainfield with no deaths from the virus and one full recovery.
Residents of the Plainfield area are encouraged to stay indoors whenever possible and practice social distancing. The CDC now recommends using a cloth face covering in public areas such as grocery stores and pharmacies. This is to keep those who may have the virus but are asymptomatic from spreading it to others. They also continue to advise staying at least six feet away from others at all times.
“Everyone in the hospital, employee, patient and visitors must have their temperature taken upon entry and wear a mask throughout the entire duration of their time in the hospital,” said Agnes Mardula, an ultrasound technician at Silver Cross Hospital and Edward Hospital. She has been working less hours since the start of the state of emergency since people are fearful of going to the hospital at this time, but employees in her position have joined the “labor pool.” The purpose of the labor pool is to help other departments that may be busier during this time.
“My mom works at a hospital and it’s very tiring. She’s the only one who goes to the store and everyone else stays home,” said Marisa Brongiel, senior.
Outside of the hospitals many are making an effort to lift the burden on the health care facilities. Plainfield South Spanish teacher Mary Jones has been spending her time in isolation making masks for healthcare workers, according to a news release from District 202.
“It’s nice that I can do something that helps me pass the time and if it can help somebody else, even better,” said Jones in the release.
“I haven’t left my house basically at all since school stopped. I haven’t been in a store or restaurant the entire time,” said Kelsey Rice, senior. She notes this as the main way that she is helping to slow the spread of the virus.
Students began remote learning on April 6, which will continue at least until the end of the month. These days spent learning from home do not need to be made up at the end of the year, according to Governor J.B. Pritzker on March 31. Pritzker said in his statement that grades may be given during the remote learning period, but they are only for feedback purposes.
“Learning from home is hard because it’s harder to stay on task without a teacher telling you what to do and when to do it,” said Rice, summarizing her personal experience with remote learning.
“It feels more time consuming than actually doing what would be class work,” said Brongiel. She notes that she finds it difficult to find the motivation to do work at home as well.
“I won’t try and tell you that a Zoom prom is the same as a real prom. I won’t try and tell you not to be sad about the lost goals and plans you had for March and April–it’s okay to be sad. And if you do feel sad, or frustrated, or angry–whatever you feel–please: let yourself feel that way. Don’t beat yourself up over being human,” Pritzker said in a press briefing covering the coronavirus.
Citizens are still able to go outside amid the shelter in place as long as they practice social distancing and remain at least six feet away from others.
“I run at Hammel Woods sometimes and before the state of emergency I usually wouldn’t see a single person while I was there. Now it’s always busy there,” said Rice.
“It’s hard to predict when the stay at home order will be lifted and businesses will reopen to the public but I have a feeling it will get extended come April 30 because the number of active cases is still rising,” said Mardula. She recommends hand washing and wearing masks in public in order to slow the spread. Mardula also strongly advises paying when wearing gloves to avoid cross-contamination.