The COVID-19 has strongly impacted our daily routines and I believe the Illinois government is making the right decision in making Illinois residents stay at home.
On March 20, Governor J.B. Pritzker issued a “stay-at-home” order at a press conference, which is officially in effect starting March 21 at 5 p.m. This order is supposed to last until April 7. The governor also announced that elementary and high schools will also remain closed until then.
I am glad the state is taking precautions against the virus and decided to issue this order. According to a Chicago Tribune article, more than 10,000 people around the world died from the COVID-19. There are also 6 deaths in Illinois as of March 22, according to NBC Chicago. To decrease the spread of the virus I believe this is the best course of action. Our country has such a big population that if people were still allowed to go out needlessly, then the virus would spread faster.
I do understand this order is very inconvenient, but the government is doing this to try and keep people safe and healthy. Although we are supposed to stay home, we are still allowed to go out for essentials so I do not think this order is that bad.
According to an NBC Chicago article, we are still allowed to go to grocery stores, banks, gas stations, hardware stores, medical offices, pharmacies, public parks, recreation areas, as well as restaurants that do delivery and takeout. Closed locations include dine-in restaurants, bars and nightclubs, entertainment venues, gyms and fitness studios, public events, and convention centers.
I know it is upsetting that we are only allowed outside for the essentials. I know it is frustrating for high school and college seniors that they will not be able to walk across the stage and get their diplomas or have a prom. I know it is scary for the millions or even billions of people who are currently jobless because businesses were forced to shut down. I also fear a cure won’t be found for another year and that we will be unable to enjoy our summer or go back to our jobs for a while.
Everyone has been experiencing many inconveniences since the virus started spreading globally, which is why I think it is in our best interest for us to be quarantined and only be allowed to go out for essentials. If we stay in quarantine for a period of time and slow the spread of the virus, then a cure can be found.
Even if it takes a while, it will be worth the wait if we can be sure that the people who have the virus can be cured, and prevent it from spreading more than it already has.
We should be patient and take this “stay-at-home” order seriously until a cure is found. When we go out, we should only go out for the essentials and remember to keep social distancing and washing our hands in mind.